Fallsburg adopts the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Update: Let’s be sure it gets implemented

On June 11, the Fallsburg Town Board adopted it’s the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Update and the recommended changes to the Zoning Code, following a review process that took place over the past year and a half.  The newly adopted Plan and Code guide the growth and development of the town for the next ten years or so.  With the construction of over 3,000 new homes now in the pipeline for Fallsburg, the Comprehensive Plan Update (CPU) is a necessary and welcome milestone.  Now we need to ensure that the recommendations made in the CPU are implemented by town authorities.
 
In general, a Comprehensive Plan is a policy document that sets forth a vision, goals and principles for growth and development.  The Zoning Code lays down the actual regulations that have to be followed.  During the review process, numerous issues were identified that were deemed to require special attention and opportunities were identified to address potential areas of need, benefit and focus. 
 
On the whole, the Comprehensive Plan Update is a substantial and valuable guide for the future development of the Town.  Many of the stated goals help protect undeveloped areas to preserve the natural environment and are intended to lessen the impact of new development in areas where it is allowed.  Many elements of the CPU have already been translated into the Zoning Code.  They will help control development patterns so that they are consistent with existing municipal infrastructure.  A new Neversink River overlay zone will also help protect certain areas along the river from over-development.
 
As mentioned above, the updated plan also includes an extensive list of implementation goals and objectives related to land use, economic development, the protection of natural resources, transportation and town-wide communication to name a few.  The CPU specifically recommends the establishment of an Implementation Committee to keep track of these items. We hope to see that happen by the end of the year and perhaps even participate in the process.
 
Some of the recommendations we feel are most important are 1.) to assess the cumulative impact of large-scale developments on the Town’s water, sewer and transportation infrastructure to ensure that capacity Is available to accommodate new users, 2.) to create an Environmental Management Council to oversee the development of an Open Space Plan for the Town, and 3.) to develop a program where developers pay for a fair share of costs to expand and improve the local road and street networks to accommodate higher traffic volumes, to name a few.
 
We’re all aware of the growth and changes happening in our town.  Sometimes these changes happen fast and can be unsettling.  We at Fallsburg’s Future encourage residents to stay informed and involved in local activities as our town officials steer their way through these changing times. 
 
The updated 2018 Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code can be viewed and downloaded from the town website (www.townoffallsburg.com).  We hope that all of you will become more familiar with the plan and the issues we are facing and we are here to help answer your questions and to be a voice in the community for responsible and sustainable development.


Fallsburg’s Future, an activist group of Fallsburg residents, is concerned about issues relating to sustainable residential development. 

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