Village wants input from Glen residents

    WATKINS GLEN—Watkins Glen is seeking input from all residents about the village’s future at two public meetings, Monday, June 18, and Tuesday, June 19.
    Three years ago, the village of Watkins Glen decided to create a comprehensive plan that would set goals and objectives for the future of the village. The process, named the “Watkins Glen Roadmap,” will present the community’s vision and will provide a “roadmap” for how the village grows and develops in the future. The document will help guide decision-making about development, provide direction on capital improvements, and help the village be eligible and competitive in grant applications.  The Watkins Glen Roadmap will build upon previous studies like the Lakefront Management & Development Strategy, Watkins Glen Tomorrow and the Downtown Improvement Strategy.
    Public participation in the process is essential. The roadmap is the community’s vision for their future. Throughout June and July, the village residents and businesses are encouraged to submit comments through the online survey accessible through a link on the village website.
    On June 18 and 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Watkins Glen Community Center (155 S. Clute Park Dr.), participants will have an opportunity to discuss their vision for Watkins Glen’s future and set measurable goals and priorities for the future of the village.
    Mayor Mark Swinnerton said, “a comprehensive plan is a guiding tool for our village and the stakeholders. This plan is created through a public involvement process so there is support for how growth will affect Watkins Glen and it is necessary to take these steps as a community to have sustainable growth and to ensure quality of life. The plan will illustrate the village’s goals, objectives, and policies through public involvement of government, semiprivate and public agencies, citizens of Watkins Glen, businesses, and developers. The vision and mission will be what the plan will try to accomplish for our future.”
    To help facilitate the process, the Watkins Glen Planning Board and Schuyler County Cornell Cooperative Extension have hired Mitch Paine, a graduate student in City & Regional Planning from Cornell University. To assist in the process, Laberge Group has been hired as a consultant for the Roadmap process.
    For more or to provide comments please email WatkinsGlenRoadmap@gmail.com or call 607-215-4536.