on preservation, maintaining the small-town and historic character of the Village and preventing overdevelopment, both along the river and throughout the Village. Residents stressed the need for maintaining the quiet, quaint rural nature of the town. On related comments about socioeconomic conditions, respondents cited concern over the cost of living and the impact on population diversity in the Village. Local Government: Taxes and Spending and Code Enforcement Overall, recommendations focused on the need for responsible fiscal planning, concerns about taxes and overspending as well as the need for more community input into local decision-making. Residents expressed concerns that Village codes were not being properly enforced, resulting in 15 more noise and parking than is permitted. Taxes were viewed as too high and burdensome to residents. Transportation Transportation comments ranged from traffic mitigation during rush hour, to improving parking options at the train station, including providing parking discounts to Croton residents, to alleviating speeding along all roads and reducing noise from highways and the train station. Village Services Respondents praised the highway department but stressed the need to improve Village appearance by increasing the frequency of garbage collection. Village Appearance Residents recommended improving the appearance of Village gateways, such as the train station, increasing landscaping and general maintenance of Village properties, providing better signage, improving the appearance of both commercial areas and private homes. Comments on this topic tended recommendations such as “the Village needs a makeover” or “a facelift.” Waterfront Development Comments related to the waterfront focused on accessibility for residents, but ranged from emphasizing passive recreation to the suggestions of recreation, events, restaurants and retail that will bring residents to the waterfront. One residents recommended light industrial or commercial to shift the burden of real estate taxes. Zoning Zoning recommendations focused on limiting housing starts, restricting the construction of large homes on small lots, enforcing existing codes and preventing the conversion of single family homes to multifamily ones. 4.0 CONCLUSION The survey provides a general overview of views held by Croton residents, but several specific conclusions about respondents’ views can be drawn. Croton’s small town character, historic charm and natural assets were of clear importance to many residents, as demonstrated in responses to questions pertaining to Village assets, future Village priorities and objectives, and in the write-in responses. At the same time, residents expressed a need for improved commercial and retail amenities that will better accommodate the population, keep spending within Croton and expand the tax base. Responses to a series of questions relating to Village facilities suggest that sidewalk condition and lack of sidewalks are issues for residents throughout the Village, as are noise from highways and the train station, traffic congestion and speeding traffic in residential areas. Concern over high taxes and the burden of taxes on residents was voiced as well. The goals, priorities and objectives expressed by residents do not conflict but suggest the need for a balanced approach when considering development. 16 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Village of Croton-on-Hudson COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Village of Croton-on-Hudson January 2003 Prepared by Buckhurst Fish & Jacquemart, Inc. 115 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003 January 2003 Prepared for the Comprehensive Plan Committee One Van Wyck Street Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520