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Town of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Survey
On 28 July 2006 the Planning Board mailed a survey form to 670 town property owners using a mail list and labels provided by the Herkimer County tax office. 15 were returned from the post office, 9 with undeliverable addresses, and 6 with new addresses. The 6 with known addresses were re-mailed. Of the 661 delivered mailings, 231 were returned, providing an excellent response percentage of 35%. Notice of the survey mailing was posted in the Town offices, and published in The Evening Telegram and Richfield Springs Mercury. Reminder notices were also published in the newspapers. Survey returns were accepted until September 11, 2006.
A brief summary of the survey returns follows. Response totals did not generally tally with the number of surveys mailed, as some respondents chose not to answer all questions. Any mention of a person’s name or business, etc. has been omitted.
All survey comments concerning town roads, etc. that were not solicited in the survey form were passed to the Town Board.
The Planning Board thanks all who took the time to respond to the survey. A compilation of all survey returns may be obtained by request from the Planning Board. ******
Summary of Survey Results
Community Profile
The Town of Columbia is predominantly a rural, residential community, where 58% of survey respondents to the question asking where adults work indicated they commute to work outside of the township. As an additional 29% of all respondents do not work or are retired, 83% of those adults who work are employed out of town. People work primarily in Herkimer (44%), Oneida (27%) and Otsego (10%) Counties. An overall reading of the survey suggests an unknown number of residents consider their primary work place to be outside of town, but they also earn an income from agricultural land uses. The survey did not identify how many residents would fall into such a category.
Survey responses suggest Columbia is a very stable community. The town has an aging population, with 54% of the adults identified by the survey over the age of 50. Most are long-term property owners, having owned property in the town for 11 years or more (74%). 48% of responding property owners owned property in town for more than 21 years. 67% of respondents have lived in the town for 21 years or more, and most intend to maintain their primary residence in Columbia for as long as possible.
Few residents (7%) own a seasonal residence in town, or own a residence rented to others (4%). Many, however, do own more than one tax parcel with no residence on a parcel, highlighting the impression that much of the town appears to be “vacant” land (although generally farmed).
In response to the question about what brought people to live in Columbia, most checked the “rural lifestyle” response option, followed by “born/raised here” and “near relatives/friends”. Respondents could check more than once response to this question, and the survey responses ranked as follows: 95 – Rural lifestyle 75 – Born/raised here 47 – Near relatives/friends 31 – Other 18 – Close to work 17 – Work 11 – Quality of schools 9 – Cost of living Under the category “other”, people listed having inherited the property, or marrying into a family, but most indicated having found a residence that best met their needs when searching the area for a home.
Property/Land Use
Property owners in Columbia have their property primarily for their residence, followed by for farming/agriculture, and for recreation/hunting. Responses to the question “What is your property used for (check all that apply)?” were recorded as follows: 176 – Primary residence 56 – Farming/Agriculture 29 – Recreation/hunting 13 – Business/commercial 12 – Hobby farm (horse owner, etc) 11 – Other 10 – Seasonal home 6 – Rental income 5 – Year-round rent 3 – Bed & Breakfast 2 – Seasonal rental 0 – Day care “Other” category uses included 5 who own property with plans to build, for vacation use, or in hope of returning to live in town in the future. 4 use their property for wood lots (2) or seasonal gardening (2). Only 1 indicated owning property in town as an investment.
In managing their property, most survey respondents aim to keep it open/undeveloped. The recorded responses to the question “In managing your property, what are your goals?” were: 110 – Keep it open/undeveloped 42 – Maintain farming/agricultural production 39 – Other 35 – Obtain some hobby or financial benefit from woodlots, alternative agricultural uses (organic production, etc.) 5 – For profit hunting/recreation “Other” responses primarily listed an interest in keeping the property as a residence.
Taxes, cost of living and employment are by far the greatest concern to property owners when asked why they might leave town. Over development and a loss of community character are also of concern. Responses to the question “What would cause you to leave Columbia? Check all that apply” were: 112 – Taxes 58 – Retirement to other locale 45 – Over development 43 – Cost of living 43 – Loss of community character 37 – Lack of employment 26 – Job change 20 – Other 17 – Sale of land investment
Survey respondents placed high priority on protecting the Town’s natural resources. Of the resources listed in the survey, respondents ranked maintaining “Drinking Water Quality” first, followed by “Air Quality”, “Rural Character”, and “Wildlife Habitat”.
Land Use Regulation
Regarding land use regulation (“Which land-use issues should the Town regulate?”), respondents marked regulating “Junkyards and Unregistered Vehicles” their highest priority, followed by “Mobile home communities”, “Residential or Commercial development that would affect natural features”, and “Derelict buildings”. Survey choices drawing the fewest number of responses were “Home businesses, limiting size and categories”, and “None, land use should not be regulated”. Respondents prefer the Town have “…guidelines for the location, size and types of non-residential projects” (126 yes, 27 no, 43 no opinion).
A majority of respondents when asked about their familiarity with Town Land Use Regulations indicated “No familiarity with existing laws”, or “Some But Not All”. As a result of the survey, the Planning Board will consider ways to better inform residents of existing laws and regulations.
Comments
Comments sections of the survey drew numerous responses. These were relayed as appropriate to the Town Board, Highway Department, Zoning Enforcement Officer and Zoning Board of Appeals. The Planning Board is greatly appreciative of the comments and ideas offered.
A question about the Quality of Life in Town was best summarized perhaps by one respondent who wrote: “I’ve lived here for 18 years. I find the quality of life in Columbia very peaceful, beautiful trees and wildlife. I have many bird species. It is super for my retirement and tranquility”.
The primary concerns of community residents as noted in comments were, in non priority order: Taxes; Keep land rural, open; Enforce existing rules and regulations; The appearance of the Town, particularly junk vehicles; Promote small business; Highway maintenance.
Summary written November 2006 |
