The plan is nearing completion.

The two municipalities recently held a public meeting at Chautauqua Lake Central School on their Comprehensive Plan, regarding where the plan stands today and invited public input before it gets formally adopted.

Town Councilman Tom Carlson welcomed everyone at the meeting and discussed the purpose of a Comprehensive Plan. “It’s a plan put together by the public that says what we want to have in our communities,” he said.

Carlson noted that comprehensive plans are used by municipal zoning and planning boards when they determine what should and shouldn’t be in a community.

Attendees of the Mayville-Chautauqua Comprehensive Plan meeting held at Chautauqua Lake Central School examine storyboard displays. P-J Photo by Gregory Bacon

He also shared that comprehensive plans are key to obtaining certain grants.

To give a tongue-in-cheek example, a new Tim Hortons Restaurant is under construction in Mayville. Carlson joked that the site could have been the location of a Hooters Restaurant. “A Hooters or a Hortons. … That’s a comprehensive plan,” he said.

Jenni Easton with Pashek + MTR, which does architecture, design and community planning, gave an overview of what the plan is so far.

The key issues of the Comprehensive Plan focus on economic vitality, land use and development, community livability and housing, and mobility and access.

ECONOMIC VITALITY

“The town and village shall sustain a stable, prosperous mix of economic opportunities that conform to the high standards of the communities and reinforce an iconically beautiful natural landscape,” Easton said.

For economic vitality, the plan calls to:

– Implement a facade improvement program for business owners;

– Develop a business association specific to Chautauqua and Mayville business communities;

– Enhance the ‘wow’ factor: having bistro tables, colored umbrellas, string lights and public arts.

– Add a community development capacity, which could be a shared staff position or other configuration;

– Publish and share an outline business startup checklist and loan library;

– Work with the county to develop an entrepreneur assistance program;

– Develop a marketing campaign to distinguish and promote unique local character and attractions;

– Partner in the revitalization of commercial and mixed-use properties.

LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT

“The town and village will become even more healthy, prosperous and resilient through a systemwide approach to preserving critical resources and green space, and strategically challenge growth and future development,” Easton said.

For land use and development, the plan calls to:

– Manage renewable energy and other emerging high-impact uses (ordinance to control location, environmental and visual impact of industrial-scale solar, wind, data centers, etc.);

– Protect natural resources and agricultural land;

– Promote smart growth by using zoning to focus development pressure within the footprint of the existing built environment;

– Enhance waterfront access;

– Consider opportunities to expand and enhance Lakeside Park;

COMMUNITY LIVABILITY AND HOUSING

“The town and village will expand upon the excellent quality of life and opportunities available to residents, providing a platform for people to thrive and meaningfully connect,” Easton said.

For community livability and housing, the plan calls to:

– Improve property maintenance and code enforcement;

– Establish vision and opportunity for key vacant or underutilized sites;

– Complete Pro-Housing certification;

– Improve public facilities;

– Evaluate future opportunities to incorporate recycling or composting in waste management contracts;

– Encourage workforce development and housing, connect business community with trade schools;

– Grow and strengthen the tree canopy, quality and Tree City, USA.

MOBILITY AND ACCESS

“The town and village will build out a safe, accessible network of routes that connect people of all ages and abilities to important natural, civic and commercial destinations,” Easton said.

For mobility and access, the plan call to:

– Improve and expand trail connections;

– Add wayfinding signage: trailheads, local businesses, key attractions;

– Expand sidewalk network in priority locations;

– Explore expansion of neighborhood electric vehicle (golf cart) use on and beyond Rails to Trails pathways;

– Invest in EV infrastructure, such as charging stations;

– Pursue expanding the shared or public transportation system.

Following the presentation, community members were invited to comment on the recommendations and complete an online survey.

Afterward, Easton said once community members complete the survey, a final proposed plan will be forwarded to both the village and town for adoption. She said it’s possible the plan could be adopted this summer.