Starkey approves comprehensive town plan Dec. 4

STARKEY--After nearly two years of work by the planning board, the Starkey town board approved a new comprehensive plan Thursday, Dec. 4. More than 40 citizens attended the regular board meeting, while only a few spoke about the plan during the public hearing.
Planning Board Chairman Bob Schiesser said there have been no significant changes to the plan since it received approval from the Yates County planning board, adding the only changes made were clerical in nature. Barbara Schiesser added the plan "is a reflection of what residents said they wanted in the survey," which was distributed in 2013. She said the plan includes language about keeping the town a rural area and improving the tax base.
Susan Walker outlined highlights of the plan prior to the meeting, which include addressing the areas of agriculture, housing, sustainability and protection of the environment, the local economy and quality of life. She said the plan includes language to preserve the viability of agriculture, and preserve air and water resources for current and future generations. Walker said it also assures commitment to maintaining and protecting the quality of housing within the town. This provides opportunities for all income levels to live in the town.
"[The plan] states that we must meet our needs today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs," Walker said.
Walker said the plan states the town will support policies that maintain and enhance the local economy, while expanding the local tax base and the availability of higher wage jobs. She said the plan also addresses the town's commitment to preserving the character of the town, specifying and describing what kinds of industry can locate within the town to maintain that character. Walker added the plan said heavy industry such as hydrofracking is not compatible with the quality of life that residents value.
Supervisor Jim Ritter said the plan is not a zoning document, with Councilman George Lawson adding it is more of a plan to guide the town in the future based on the ideas residents submitted with their surveys.
"The comprehensive plan doesn't have anything to do with zoning boundaries or changes," Lawson said. "It is a vision statement, a guiding document." Lawson added it is recommended towns review their comprehensive plans every five to 10 years. He said towns can often pay approximately $40,000 to $50,000, commending the planning board for their years of work.