river. e. South Riverside/Harmon The South Riverside/Harmon area acts as an important imagedefining gateway to the Village due to its strategic location on Route 9A and its accessibility to the railroad station, Route 9 and Croton Point. A key section of this area is proposed as a “Gateway District” subject to special zoning district overlay regulations related to signage, landscape and other design requirements. This gateway district encompasses the lots fronting the north side of Croton Point Avenue east of Route 9, and properties on either side of South Riverside Avenue north of Croton Point Avenue to Benedict Boulevard. Improvements to North Riverside have included attractive, pedestrian-scale lampposts and brick pavers along the sidewalk PAGE 91 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The Plan recommendations for this area focus on improvements along South Riverside (Route 9A), given its role as a major access route into the Village. Route 9A’s high visibility has led to the development of several service facilities as well as a mix of retail outlets. As a result, much of the street frontage is dominated by parking areas, driveways and service areas that are often unscreened from the roadway. The following improvements should be undertaken by the Village for this area: • Streetscape Improvements A well-designed streetscape program should be initiated as a priority action for South Riverside to encourage pedestrian use and improve the image of this gateway district. Recommended streetscape improvements are listed below and shown in Figure 4.5. • • • • Additional landscaping including street trees and new planting and screening adjacent to parking and service areas. Sidewalk improvements should include paving treatments consistent with the sidewalk design incorporated in other Village commercial areas. The Village should explore the feasibility of installing sidewalks along the west side of South Riverside Avenue, south of Croton Point Avenue, to improve the pedestrian accessibility of this portion of Harmon/South Riverside. The Village should also consider installing crosswalks at the intersection of Croton Point Avenue and South Riverside Avenue (as indicated on Figure 4.5) to improve walkability. Reducing the number and scale of curb cuts where feasible in order to maintain stronger pedestrian path continuity. Encouraging the use of distinctive and attractive commercial signage. Overhead utility wires mar the streetscape along South Riverside Avenue. In the longer term, the Village should undertake a study to determine the feasibility of placing the overhead utility lines that extend along Route 9A underground. This action would result in a dramatic improvement in the visual quality of the corridor, as illustrated in Figure 4.5. • Improve Pedestrian and Bicycle Links Many residents of the Harmon neighborhood have noted the need for improved pedestrian and bike routes between the South Riverside/Harmon commercial district and nearby residential areas. The Village should also examine the feasibility of establishing a clearly identified bike route on both sides of Croton Point Avenue, including connections to the railroad station and to the shopping area south of Croton Point Avenue. Burying overhead utility wires and requiring landscaped buffers along parking lots would create a more attractive, pedestrian-friendly streetscape along South Riverside. PAGE 92 Reduce Curb Cut and Provide Planting Auto Service T IC ED SO L U BO D AR V E U TH RI VE RS Gas Station Reduce Curb Cut and Provide Planting ID EA VE N N BE Long Term Placement of Utilities Underground U E Planting To Screen Auto Storage Area Street Tree Planting Sidewalk Improvements Gas Station T AV EN U E Gateway Feature (Clock, Sculpture, etc.) C Village of Croton-On-Hudson, NY TO RO N IN PO Gateway Sign Figure 4.5. South Riverside / Harmon Gateway Proposals BFJ Buckhurst Fish & Jacquemart, Inc. 93 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN • Reinforce Gateway Identity The area’s role as a major gateway should be reinforced through additional signage and other streetscape features. Consideration should be given to the placement of attractive gateway signage at the junction of Croton Point Avenue and Route 9A, and the addition of a distinctive feature within the landscaped area adjacent to the Exxon Gas Station to give prominence to the pedestrian link leading to the railroad station. f. North End Office District The office zone at the north end of Croton-on-Hudson is limited to the west side of Route 9A and is only partially developed. Additional office use should be encouraged given the good access provided by Route 9A and the attractive, wooded nature of this section of the Village. The Village should therefore ensure that future office development is appropriately sited and attractively designed, and that generous landscape planting is provided in order to maintain the rural quality of the area. The Matra Building along Route 9A (Albany Post Road) offers a good example of an office use that has been attractively integrated into the area. The use of low stone walls along property