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DECEMBER 2007 TOWN OF NORTH GREENBUSH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - FINAL DRAFT

APPENDIX C - S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS RESULTS

APPENDIX C:

S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS RESULTS

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DECEMBER 2007 TOWN OF NORTH GREENBUSH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - FINAL DRAFT

APPENDIX C - S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS RESULTS

S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS RESULTS

S.W.O.T. #1 (administered at Comprehensive PlanCommittee Meeting in April 2007)

StrengthsAccessibility (roadway)Location between two cities (Rensselaer and Troy)Rensselaer Tech ParkStrengthening infrastructureGood schoolsInterstate 90 connectorDevelopable landWaterfrontDiversity of communitiesMix of city/country livingGood quality single-family housingResidents are well educatedMost residences have a yardTown resources, such as emergency servicesLow crime rate

WeaknessesLack of a Comprehensive PlanAbility to build unsightly strip mallsLack of a post office or substationUgly Town HallCommunity is just used as a pass-thru for

commutersBottlenecks at SR 4 and 43 (roads to the west could

be used to alleviate congestion here)A segmented sense of community as indicated by

hamlets and the presence of four school districtsand three mailing addresses

The community is too big to be small and too smallto be big; community identity is lacking

Community services compete amongst one anotherDespite numerous County-owned facilities, there is

a lack of coordination between the Town andCounty

OpportunitiesThe creation of a sign overlay district can improve

appearances and the quality of not only localsignage, but also the overall community

Interstate 90 connectorImprove the design and type of retail, i.e. “smart

retail”Expansion of the tax baseThwart the threat of annexation by other

municipalitiesMedical complex – primary careUnified identityGaps in services can be filledMore centralized community center, recreation

space, fields, trailsRefinement of the zoning districtsAddress existing non-conforming usesConnect to riverfront, development opportunitiesLarge parcels of vacant and undeveloped land

within the townCoordinate future growth and development with RPIServicing the Tech Park – river connections and

housing

ThreatsCommunity opposition to Town initiativesAnnexationChangeInability to provide services based on the outcome

of the Comprehensive PlanToo much analysis with too little progress –

paralysis by analysisA lack of cooperation or coordinated planning

between the Town and CountyMunicipal home rule structureAdjacent to two competing cities (Troy and

Rensselaer)Lack of appropriate infrastructure to support to

future I-90 connectorInability to make timely decisions

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TOWN OF NORTH GREENBUSH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - FINAL DRAFT

APPENDIX C - S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS RESULTS

DECEMBER 2007

S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS RESULTS

S.W.O.T. #2 (administered at Public InformationMeeting in August 2007)

StrengthsLocation in the regionWater – naturalGood soils – agricultureOpen space around neighborhoodsNatural characterAbility to communicateForested landRich historyProximity to educationRPI Tech ParkNear theatre & artsRecreation opportunities – beachSafeDistance from regional commerceRiver frontageQuiet communityLocally-grown food, livestock

WeaknessesLack of consensusLack of sidewalksLack of acreage to support local farmingPoor infrastructure planning & implementation –

roads, sewerFragmented community – geographicallyLack of public spaces, recreational facilitiesGrowing trafficPass thru – not a destination (encourage live-work)Lack of ability of working towards common goalToo many single-occupancy vehiclesLack of trails – bike & pedestrianPotential to be “Anywhere USA”Lack of planning – haphazard growthHigh taxesInability to survive climate change, “Peak Oil”Lack of common community center – sharing infoSaturation of certain businesses – lack of diversityQuantity over quality business

OpportunitiesPreserve greenspace & rural characterOpen up the riverfrontBike, ped facilitiesFactions to work togetherTo look further than 10 yrsWelcome to Rensselaer County at Exit 8Relieve congestion by completing I-90 connectorPlant greenery at gatewaysMore recycling & re-useConsistent lighting, signage, etc., on Main St.Let developers know our vision for developmentLong-term infrastructure planningCentralize location – municipal center – community

servicesCooperative planning within CountyInvolvement in volunteer emergency servicesProtect existing businesses by avoiding duplicationAffordable housing

ThreatsOver-developmentUnplanned developmentTraffic – Route 4 becoming Wolf RdOvercrowded schoolsIncrease in accidents ped-auto conflictOvertaxing/straining of municipal servicesLack of transparency in governmentUnaffordable housing – lack of diverse optionsNot enough public involvement to combat various

threats, political, etc.IgnoranceBreakdown of trust in elected officialsActivity between now & plan adoptionAccelerated developmentAnnexationsProcess may polarize town