appearance. The write-in issue cited most frequently by residents was the high Village tax rate, followed by commercial amenities and issues relating to environment and open space. Residents complained of a lack of commercial diversity and amenities, noise from the train and highways and the deer population. Village Neighborhood: Strengths and Weaknesses Respondents were asked whether they liked or disliked their part of the Village and why. 938 residents responded (98%). A large majority of those who responded to this question (95% or 888 respondents) stated that they liked their part of the Village; only 5% said that they did not (47 respondents). The responses to this question were categorized by respondents’ neighborhoods to facilitate analysis of this question. Respondents, by Village Area 50 Percent 40 39.4 30 21.3 15.4 20 13.2 10 3.1 3.7 1.5 2.4 5 6 7 8 0 1 2 3 4 Neighborhood Key: 1 = Harmon 2 = Mount Airy/Trails 3 = Upper Village 4 = North End 5 = Route 129 Area 6 = North Riverside Area 7 = North Highland/Riverlanding 8 = Half Moon Bay 7 The 769 “yes” survey responses (the number of respondents who answered “yes” to whether they like their part of the Village) were then analyzed for the reasons for that response. Across all eight neighborhoods, the most frequently selected strengths were the attractiveness of the neighborhood and the proximity to open space and/or the waterfront. Convenience factors, such as proximity to schools or work, were often noted as well. The three most frequently selected reasons are listed below by neighborhood. The number in parentheses reflects the number of respondents from that neighborhood. Harmon (302): Attractive Area (67%); Close to Schools (52%); Near Community Facilities (45%) Mount Airy/Trails (118): Attractive Area (85%); Rural Area (64%); Close to Open Space/Riverfront (37%) Upper Village (165): Attractive Area (55%); Close to Open Space/Riverfront (49%); Near Community Facilities (47%) North End (101): Attractive Area (78%); Close to Open Space/Riverfront (49%); Convenient to Work (26%) Route 129 Area (24): Attractive Area (75%); Close to Open Space/Riverfront (58%); Rural Area (42%) North Riverside Area (28): Close to Open Space/Riverfront (71%); Attractive Area (50%); Close to Family & Friends/Affordable Area tied (32%) North Highland Riverlanding (11): Attractive Area (91%); Close to Schools/Close to Open Space & Riverfront tied (46%); Rural Area (36%) Half Moon Bay (20): Close to Open Space/Riverfront (90%); Attractive Area (85%); Convenient to Work (50%) Of the 47 residents who answered that they do not like their part of the Village, the majority (18 residents) came from Harmon; this breakdown reflects the overall geographic distribution of respondents (38% from Harmon). In Harmon, complaints included: • crowding of houses and lack of open space • lack of housing maintenance and code enforcement • noise • too many cars • lack of sidewalks From the Upper Village, the twelve (12) complaints focused primarily on speeding traffic and congestion, noise level, congestion and lack of shopping alternatives. Mount Airy and North End both cited speeding traffic and noise. Mount Airy also addressed poor road conditions and no local shopping; North End residents cited diesel engines and the lack of a local park. 8 3.3 COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT Several questions on the survey spoke directly to commercial issues. Residents were asked to identify the “village center” and whether Croton should actively pursue additional retail development. Other questions provided the opportunity to comment on a range of issues, and many respondents wrote in comments relating to commercial and retail opportunities. Following is a summary of these responses. Village Center The majority of respondents (more than 650 out of 956, or 67%) placed the center of the Village in the area we have termed the “Historic Center,” encompassing Maple and Grand Streets, Old Post 1 Road, Van Wyck Street, the Municipal Building, and other identifying landmarks in that area. Residents often cited a particular place, such as Robbins Pharmacy, the “dummy” traffic light, or Wondrous Things. Other locations that appeared included Grand Union/Post Office and the Black Cow area. Twenty residents said they didn’t know where the center was, and 32 replied that there was no center. The most unusual response, however, came from a resident who reminded us that the Village center is “in the hearts of people who love Croton.” Commercial and Retail Development Residents were also asked whether Croton should pursue additional retail development. Responses were fairly evenly split among those who answered “yes” (42%) and “no” (46%); 12% said they didn’t know. However, the need for careful retail and commercial development came across in responses to other questions. For example, residents were asked to select three aspects of Croton they liked the least. Appearance of commercial areas was the third most frequently selected aspect (32%), while quality of commercial uses and centers was fifth