Results of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Survey

The 2018 Comprehensive Plan Survey has been completed. We received 342 responses, about 26% of the Town’s population over 18 years old. The Comprehensive Plan survey results are attached in four files:

1) Summary of Survey Results (8 pages)
2) Survey Data Final Charts and Graphs (75 pages)
3) Survey Comparison of FT/PT responses (21 pages)
4) Observations on FT/PT responses (1 page)

The Summary of Survey Results will give you a good overall idea of the findings. Here are some highlights from our planning consultant, Nan Stolzenburg, of key areas where there is major agreement among our residents:

My overall impression is that there was universal support for the vision and goals, with some minor tweaking and suggestions that could make them even better. Near universal support for all the environmental protection ideas, except for large scale solar facilities.  High levels of importance were placed on agriculture and open space – but more for open space than all types of agriculture. A look at the comments lead me to believe that not everyone feels ‘all types of agriculture’ are important. The ideas presented in the survey for Ancram were resoundingly supported.  Ideas for Ancramdale and Boston Corner were supported by a majority but not with as high a percentage as in Ancram.  Community services are satisfactory to most everyone except for cell and broadband. New small businesses were supported, with convenience, cafe, restaurant and food items at the top of everyone’s list.

The recreation ideas had a mixed response…not all were viewed as important.  Walking, biking, and hiking were viewed as important by some, and hunting and fishing were important to others. There was limited support for some of the ideas for use of grounds around Town Hall, except for a walking/jogging trail around Town Hall. Public Services were important to the vast majority. There were mixed feelings about affordable housing where 37% said it was important and 47% said it was not.  For those that did think affordable housing was important, large mutli-family houses are not the option they want to see in Ancram.
Additional analysis of the survey data will continue over the next month.

The Comp Plan Review Committee (CPRC) will be reviewing the results of the survey along with the information provided by the two workshops and 6 planning group meetings to determine if or how to modify the Vision and Goals originally presented in the 2010 Comprehensive Plan.  After the CPRC decides on suggested revisions, it will focus on setting priorities and developing strategies to implement those Vision and Goals.

As the revised Vision, Goals and Strategies are developed over the next few months, the CPRC will be sharing them with AncramEmail to get comments. The revised plan will be presented to the Town Board by the end of the year. Prior to its approval of the proposed revision to the Comprehensive Plan, the Town Board will schedule one or two public hearings to solicit public comments.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about any aspects of the Survey. And feel welcome to attend the CPRC meetings to join the discussion.  The next CPRC meeting is Monday, July 16, 2018 at 7 pm at Town Hall.