NORWICH – Planners say they are one step closer to updating a comprehensive plan for Chenango County that has been in the works for more than a decade.
The results of a consultant’s survey, sanctioned by the Chenango County Board of Supervisors last fall at a cost of $6,500, were presented to members of the Chenango County Planning Board and Planning and Economic Development Committee last week. It will go onto the full board for consideration next month.
Chenango County Planning Department Director Donna M. Jones said county offcials scrutinized the process for surveying residents in depth before proceeding.
Zogby International of Utica contacted 500 residents over a three-day period at the beginning of June. The consultant used a computerized program that picked telephone numbers at random. About an equal number of men and women between the ages of 30 and 54 were contacted.
Jones said Zogby was “very surprised” with the positive response rate achieved.
The majority of those surveyed were married, lived in rural areas of the county, had no college degree, owned their own residences and had annual incomes that varied, mostly from less than $25,000 to between $50,000 and $75,000 a year.
A total of 64 percent said they had lived in their hometowns for more than 20 years. A nearly equal number of respondents said they would prefer that their children also live and work in the area where they grew up, as did those who said that they expected their offspring would move away.
Green space and nature are considered “the best thing” about Chenango County, followed by agriculture and farming and the quality of local communities and residents. The economy and jobs were considered “the worst thing” and “the greatest concern,” followed by taxes.
Seventy-eight percent were employed, 36 percent feared losing their jobs and 23 percent said their jobs paid less than before.
Agriculture was declared “most important” for Chenango County, followed by economic development and protecting green space. As for the type of economic development, responders by a large majority said the county should focus on actively supporting existing local businesses.
The following needs were identified as most important: A dialysis and cancer treatment facility in Chenango County and rehabilitating the railroad tracks from Earlville to Binghamton. Respondents favored the latter by a larger margin, in fact, than they favored widening state Rt. 12 for passing lanes.
Seventy-two percent said they either strongly or somewhat strongly agreed that the county’s partnership with SUNY Morrisville benefits residents, and 65 percent indicated that they either strongly or somewhat supported investing in the Earl B. Clark business park in North Norwich.
More biking, walking trails, public restrooms, playground equipment, riverfront access for boats and canoes/kayaks were the parks and recreation improvements most suggested.
Titled, “Blueprint Chenango: A Comprehensive Plan for Chenango County,” the comp plan for Chenango County will offer a vision for future land use, economic development, commercial development, agriculture, recreation, industrial development, transportation, energy, health care, communications and the aging population. Local demographic and socioeconomic trends will also be profiled, as will the county’s cultural resources, natural resources and environmental areas.
It will be the first report of its kind for Chenango County since the 1980s, when local government, business and industry leaders developed what’s known as “The 2020 Vision report.” An actual comprehensive plan, however, hasn’t been completed since the mid-1970s.
Jones said Zogby’s report contained “some surprises” and will “help determine where we should be heading.” She said Zogby may also be asked to expand on some areas of the survey, and perhaps help write the plan itself.
If adopted, the comprehensive plan is expected to act as a policy guide for lawmakers.