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Applying Smart Growth To Economic Development
1) Supporting the Route 219 Freeway Alternative. The Cattaraugus County Legislature supports the freeway alternative. We have submitted the county’s vision guidebook (Volume 1), which favors the freeway alternative, to New York State. It presents advisory policies to protect open space and prevent and slow down urban sprawl and strip development in Cattaraugus County, which is especially important around future highway interchanges. Click
here to download a copy of Volume 1.
In addition, we also recently (2001) completed a major study, which develops new economic development proposals for the Route 219 corridor and its intersection with Interstate 86 near Salamanca, New York. These projects were initiated with a New York State grant in 1995, and developed with two federal grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) between 1996 and 2001. Estimates show more than 2,400 jobs would be created by the year 2025 if a Route 219 freeway were constructed by 2005, and if the county pursues a regional marketing program once it is clear that the freeway will be constructed.
2) Developing the Allegany State Park Perimeter. Cattaraugus County has now completed a major new study for promoting economic growth and tourist themes for communities in the perimeter zone for Allegany State Park (funded by a $100,000 Member Item from New York State Senator Patricia McGee). This work is based on our Smart Development for Quality Communities guidebook series, and focuses on communities around the park, and on ski areas, trails, Route 219 expansion, I-86 access, and waterways. A national case study was completed in 2001 showing us how to grow successfully, and a regional market study (2001) was completed showing us how to attract new investments. This study’s final report will be published in 2003. It will show us how to take advantage of the fact that we are within one day’s driving distance of the world’s largest and wealthiest market concentration (including Toronto, Hamilton, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, New York City, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia). Click
here to download a copy of our Allegany State Park Perimeter Study – Volume 7.
3) Looking At Gravel Mining As A Unique Land Use. The County Legislature in 1999 sponsored a study of gravel mining along the Route 16 highway corridor in Cattaraugus County with the intent to find solutions to land use conflicts between mining companies and local communities. We completed this major study in 2000, and are still in a follow-up phase on the five strategies that we presented to resolve issues, which are based on smart growth, zoning and cumulative impact concepts. Our recommendations would promote the mining industry in a positive manner at the same time that community planning and zoning and environmental protection are encouraged. This study has significant potentials for improving the local economy and quality of life. In the past two years, more than 2,000 copies of our gravel study have been downloaded for free as PDF files from the County’s Internet Home Page by people all over New York State and the country, and another 500 copies have been mailed out and distributed at meetings. Click
here to download a copy.
4) Saving Our Villages Initiative. We are currently developing new demonstration projects for downtown revitalization in the Villages of Randolph, Little Valley and Franklinville. Villages face complex problems, and revitalization requires solutions that will work in the longer term. These techniques will help local leaders create new wealth and growth for their villages, in a manner that promotes the rural and often historic character of these villages (i.e., through good design and new marketing techniques). This includes developing multi-use trails that link villages to tourism and recreational attractions. Our major focus at this time is developing horseback riding trails that connect to the Allegany State Park, and to the 12-mile START Trail between Salamanca, Little Valley and Cattaraugus (which is already funded at $1.4 million). We are proposing that Little Valley, with its County fairgrounds, the Little Valley Rider’s Club and the trailhead on the START trail, be developed into a regional “center” for horseback riding and equestrian activities. We have hired Randall Arendt and Rick Swist to assist in developing these village demonstration projects. Click
here to download a copy of preliminary studies.
5) Applying Smart Growth and Quality Communities Techniques to A Watershed. We are currently developing a proposal for applying new technical assistance techniques to promote growth in the Cattaraugus Creek Watershed in an environmentally safe manner. Click
here to download a draft proposal – comments are welcome.
6) Beginning a Comprehensive Plan for Cattaraugus County. In August 2002, the Cattaraugus County Planning Board began a process of evaluating the need for a new Comprehensive Planning for the County in the 21st Century. (Currently being developed).
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