Comprehensive Plan FAQS from Town Hall: Answers to several questions and concerns about the draft - Public input still welcome and encouraged

(From the Town website)

There have been many questions and concerns, and some misconceptions, about the current draft of the town's “2023 Comprehensive Plan Update.” What follows aims to answer frequently asked questions and clear up possible confusion about the draft.

Q. Does adoption of a Comprehensive Plan mean its contents automatically become policy?

A. No. A Comprehensive Plan is a vision statement, not a policy paper. Any recommended changes to town policies in the plan, including zoning regulations, still must go through a separate review and approval process.

Q. Is approval of the plan, as currently written, a done deal?

A. Not by a longshot. The current document is merely the first draft released to the public and Town Board by the town’s consultant and is based on the input to date. It is subject to revisions, additions and deletions based on input from the public and members of the Town Board.

Q. It seems there was only limited public input before the draft was written. Why?

A. There were several steps of public input in the process, dating back to a committee’s initial work in 2019. The process went into hiatus when COVID shut everything down, but two public meetings were held in the fall of 2022, and a survey was posted online. Participation was limited, but it was fair to assume the people who weighed in were the residents who were most passionate about the process, so their opinions were given appropriate consideration. But there will be additional opportunities for the public to make recommendations before the draft is revised and ultimately approved.

Q. Does the Comprehensive Plan, as currently drafted, seek to block development?

A. It does not. The town has no desire to prevent either residential or non-residential development; it simply wants to ensure such development is properly located and in the best interests of the community, its residents and the environment.

Q. Does the draft call for limiting major subdivisions townwide?

A. No, but there are recommendations regarding these subdivisions, such as clarifying cluster regulations, ensuring good design standards, allowing private roads, and complying with New York State’s Town Law.

Q. Isn’t the town putting the cart before the horse by working toward adoption of a Comprehensive Plan before making any changes to local zoning laws?

A. No. Under New York State law, in order to adopt land-use regulations, a Comprehensive Plan must be adopted first so that zoning is consistent with the plan.

Q. Will existing large retailers in the town, such as the Hannaford supermarket in West Hurley, be affected if the Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations about large stores are enacted?

A. No. The plan’s proposed restriction of large retailers is aimed at so-called “superstores” the size of Walmart, Lowe’s or Home Depot. Further, no existing businesses in Hurley will have to make any changes based on elements of the plan.

Q. How will Hurley’s non-residential zones be affected by the Comprehensive Plan?

A. They won’t be. No changes are proposed to the town’s B-2 and I-1 zones, and the plan does not call for downsizing any non-residential zones. (It actually calls for additional non-residential zones to be created.)

Q. The draft refers to possibly installing new sidewalks along Main Street in Old Hurley and Route 375 in West Hurley. What is the likelihood of this happening?

A. Depends on where. Participants in the public input process requested improved pedestrian access in various parts of the town, notably West Hurley. But there are limited opportunities to provide safe pedestrian access along portions of Route 375 in West Hurley, and ultimately, installing sidewalks there would require approval from the state Department of Transportation, which maintains the road. New sidewalks in Old Hurley would require grant money to make the project cost-effective.

Q. Is the Comprehensive Plan process almost over, and can I still provide input about the draft?

A. No, and yes. There will be discussions about the plan by focus groups, interviews with stakeholders, revisions to the draft based on public input, reviews by the Ulster County and Hurley Planning Boards, and public hearings. There also is an online survey about the draft posted at tinyurl.com/2hxnm3wa, and suggestions and comments may be emailed to supervisor@townofhurley.org.