recreational facilities (swimming, ice skating, tennis, picnic areas) and residential uses. Uses permitted by special permits include restaurants, marinas, ferries and cultural uses (theater, bandshells and museums) (from Zoning Code § 230-31). The Half Moon Bay condominium development (discussed further in Section 3.5) is located there. Parks Recreation and Education (PRE) districts were created in 1988 to “preserve natural resources, scenic beauty and other land and community resources whose retention is necessary for the continued maintenance of the quality of the environment. It is PAGE 38 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN designed to provide for public parks; recreational activities including all types of athletic activities; schools and other educational facilities; nature preserves; bird and wildlife sanctuaries; and similar uses.” (From Zoning Code § 230-20. [Added 9-6-1988 by L.L. No. 6-1988]). Several natural areas, including the Jane E. Lytle Arboretum, Kaplan’s Pond and the Village owned land in the Croton Gorge have been recently designated PRE districts. Multiple Development Use (MDU) districts were added in 1982 to accomplish the following: a. Facilitate development consistent with the Comprehensive Master Plan of the village b. Achieve variety and flexibility in land development c. Encourage efficiency in the use of land d. Preserve features of unusual historic or scenic value. e. Permit development of larger tracts of land as a unit. Industrial and Rail Transportation Uses. Industrial and rail transportation uses are entirely located along the Hudson River waterfront. The Croton Harmon railroad station, located just west of Route 9 and adjacent to Croton Point Park, is one of the key regional stations on the Metro North commuter railroad and Amtrak’s New York State service. The entire railroad facility occupies approximately 100 acres, dominating the central section of the waterfront with numerous switching yards, as well as the Harmon rail yards where Metro North trains are sent for repair. Metro Enviro, a solid waste transfer station, and the Goodyear tire distribution center, are also located in this area. Parks/Open Space. Croton-on-Hudson’s network of parks, open space (including Hudson National Golf Course), nature preserves and trails, comprises approximately 30 percent of the land area of the Village. A detailed description of the parks and their facilities is provided in Section 3.2(e). Many of these open space areas are located within residentially-zoned districts. PAGE 39 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 3.4 Population and Demographics a. Population Trends, 1970 - 2000 The 2000 Census shows Croton-on-Hudson’s population at an alltime high of 7,606 persons. The population has remained close to 7,000 persons since 1970, although the Village experienced an 8.4 percent decrease in the 1970s. In the past two decades, the population has grown steadily, recovering and surpassing its previous high of 7,523 persons in 1970. Even with this increase, the population growth has fallen far short of the 1977 Master Plan’s expectations, which projected a population of 15,000 in 2000. Croton-on-Hudson’s population growth has been proportionately greater than that of Town of Cortlandt and Westchester County. Within the last decade, the Town of Cortlandt’s population grew by 3 percent and Westchester County’s population by 5.6 percent. Many factors influence the growth rate, including the rate of migration to the Village, an increase in housing starts, and the birth rate. b. Age and School Population In 2000, the Village’s median age was 40 years, an increase from the 1990 median age of 37.3 years. This increase is consistent with regional and national trends, with the aging of the “baby boom” generation. As in many suburban municipalities, Croton-onHudson’s population is concentrated in the 25 to 54 age groups, with the greatest growth over the past decade occurring in the 35 to 44 and 45 to 54 age brackets. The share of the population over the age of 65 decreased between 1990 and 2000, from 14.6% to 13.6%. However, as the 35 to 54 age groups shift to a higher age bracket in the coming decades, the 65+ age group can be expected to gain an increasing share of the population. In many municipalities, the shift in age distribution across the population has led to a re-examination of priorities, as issues such as affordable housing for seniors have become more pressing. Concurrent with the increase in median age, the Village has participated in the county and regional “echo boom” trend, with an increase in the birth rate in the Village between 1980 and 2000. Table 3.7: Croton-on-Hudson Population Fluctuations, 1970-2000 Year Population 1970 7,523 1980 6,889 1990 7,018 2000 7,606 Percent Change -8.4 1.9 8.4 Source: U.S. Census; Westchester County Department of Planning Table 3.8: Population Growth, 1990 – 2000 Total Population Percent Change 1990 2000 Croton-on 7,018 7,606 Hudson Town of Cortlandt 37,357 38,467 Westchester Cty. 874,866 923,459 8.4 3.0 5.6 Source: U.S. Census; Westchester County Department of Planning Table 3.9: Age Comparison, 1990 - 2000 under 5 5 to 9 10