to relate such design and appearance to the site and surroundings of such structures, to permit originality and resourcefulness in building design and appearance which are appropriate to the site and surroundings, and to prevent such design and appearance as are unnecessarily offensive to visual sensibilities. The Planning Board should be given the powers of an Architectural Review Board to avoid redundancy in the application process. This power of architectural review should encompass all non-residential properties and also include new residential construction and major alterations in residentially-zoned districts. 8. Enhance the function of the Upper Village area, generally recognized as the “heart” of the Village. Although not the only commercial area, the Upper Village remains the historic and administrative center of the Village. Small-scale specialty retail and office development is suggested as a means to enhance the tax base, and provide greater diversity of shopping options. 9. Improve commercial areas. Croton-on-Hudson should not develop regional or semi-regional shopping centers, or attract more chain stores. However, there is a need for new stores in existing commercial areas meeting neighborhood shopping needs was identified, as was providing more retail diversity. Meeting these goals should co-exist with the character of the Upper Village shopping area (which might focus on certain types of specialty shops such as arts related activities). Increasing the variety and quality of retail shopping is viewed as an important step to keep local shoppers and spending within the Village. 10. Creation of additional appropriately-scaled office space, especially space serving small businesses currently located at home, is viewed as important to sustaining such business activity within Croton-on-Hudson, and also to enhancing the tax base. 11. Enhance the pedestrian connections within the Village, via additions to the trail system and new and/or improved sidewalks, and better crosswalks. Such pedestrian links are seen as ways to sustain Croton-on-Hudson’s small town character and “walkability,” as well as address pedestrian safety. Pedestrian improvements within certain shopping PAGE 79 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN areas were also recommended. Many cited the importance of linking different commercial areas to each other via more sidewalks, as well as creating better pedestrian connections between shopping areas, residential neighborhoods, schools, libraries, and parks and waterfronts. Of particular concern is safety for children near schools and libraries. Consistent with the goal of improving pedestrian connections to commercial centers and open space areas, the Village should identify parcels that serve as links to these areas and explore the possibility of securing pedestrian access along these parcels, either through easements or purchase of the property. Possible connections include a path between Beekman Avenue and Municipal Place, and a link along Newton Street (currently a paper street) from the library to Maple Street. 12. Improve traffic flow and parking. The absence of adequate parking in some areas is seen as a serious constraint, and traffic congestion is cited frequently as a problem, particularly in commercial areas. One element to be addressed in this regard concerns the use of on-street parking spaces for the storage of vehicles. The Village should ensure that commercial vehicles, or vehicles undergoing repair, are parked on the premises of businesses. Addressing these issues is seen as important both for the success of retail and other businesses, and for pedestrian safety. 13. Upgrade older utilities, especially sewer systems, as needed. The Village should review the possibility of extending the sewer system into certain areas with septic systems. In addition, the Village should evaluate drainage, flooding, and stormwater run-off conditions in priority areas of the Village and consider a plan to address these conditions based on the new EPA stormwater regulations on nonpoint source pollution. 14. Update of Village Zoning Code and Map. After adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, the Village should examine the current Zoning Code for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and implement updates where necessary. As part of this update, Croton-on-Hudson should explore rezoning certain areas of the Village to better reflect community goals. These areas include Croton Point Park (a county park) and Hudson National Golf Course, two major open space areas which are both zoned RA-40, as well as a parcel adjacent to Half Moon Bay that should be a part of the Waterfront Development District (WDD). For the golf course property, the Village should review the option of PAGE 80 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN upzoning the property to create larger-scale lots that take into consideration the topography and slopes of the site. The Village and County authorities should also explore the option of rezoning the Croton Point Park parcel as a Parks, Recreation and Education (PRE) district to reflect its use as a public recreation area. The Village should also consider rezoning the property owned by the railroad to limit or control future alternative development on the property. In addition, the Village should explore upzoning the permitted lot size