Published: May 28, 2009 09:39 am      

Public hearing for Springfield Comprehensive Plan is set

By JIM AUSTIN
Cooperstown Crier

SPRINGFIELD — The town board in Springfield will conduct a public hearing on a Comprehensive Plan for the town on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m. in the Community Center located in Springfield Center.

A comprehensive plan is a written document that identifies the goals, principles, policies, and strategies for the growth and development of the community. It is essentially a roadmap for the future of the town and provides the policy foundation for local land use laws.

The issues, goals, and recommended strategies detailed in this plan are based on information and data gathered about the town of Springfield, as well as input from the town residents through a Resident Survey, Planning and Visioning Workshop, and public attendance at monthly meetings, according to David Staley, cochairman of the town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee.

The plan contains a vision statement which describes what the residents of Springfield want the town to be like in the future.

This statement was developed from information received from the public during the planning process and places a high value on the rural nature of the town.

The comprehensive plan includes a number of goals which express more specific outcomes for the future.

They are:

- Maintain the rural, small town and scenic character of Springfield as it grows.

- Protect environmental resources including drinking water, watersheds, Otsego Lake, streams and wetlands.

- Foster a sense of pride and place in our community.

- Provide quality and up-to-date infrastructure including roads, emergency services, and telecommunications. Ensure that all new infrastructure is rural in scale.

- Enhance recreational opportunities for all ages and capitalize on Otsego Lake.

- Promote and protect our historic structures and landscapes.

- Promote agricultural businesses and local farm products, and protect farmlands.

- Enhance Springfield as a business-friendly community. Promote small businesses that provide local jobs, contribute to the tax base, and that do not detract from our rural and small town character.

- Maintain and promote use of the Springfield Community Center building.

Copies of the draft comprehensive plan are available for review at the Springfield Library and at the Town Clerk’s office. The plan has also been posted online at the Otsego County Planning Department website at www.otsegocounty.com/ depts/pln/documents/ SpringfieldDraftComp- PlanJan2909.pdf.