2005 Town of Empire Community Survey Results

Transcription

1 25 Town of Empire Community Survey Results Question 1: Throughout history, Empire has been described as a rural, agricultural community. If you could control the future, which one phrase would you select to describe Empire in 1 and 2 years? In 1 years In 2 years Rural, agricultural community % % Residential community 8 2.1% % Business community 1.3% Industrial community 1.3% Mixed agricultural/residential % % Mixed residential/business it community 6 1.6% % Other 4 1.1% 7 1.8% Question 2: Family farms within the Town of Empire are declining in numbers. In your opinion, how should the town address this situation? (select any) Not selected Take no action % % Restrict the number of land divisions on prime farmland by requiring 35 acre parcels % % Allow for a limited number of small parcels (e.g. one acre) to be created on each farm % % Restrict the location of homes developed in prime farmland areas to the edges of farm fields to maintain contiguous tracks of % % farmland Cluster subdivisions % % Other ideas % % Question 3: Empire's zoning restrictions currently meet landowner's needs. Empire's zoning restrictions currently meet landowner's needs. Too restrictive % Not restrictive enough % Unfamiliar with regulations % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 1 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

2 Too restrictive Not restrictive enough Unfamiliar with regulations Question 4: From 1994 to 25, Empire's population grew from 2,459 to 2,755 (27 people/year). Do you favor growth at: Faster rate % Present rate % Slower rate % No growth % Question 5: The 25 population of Empire was 2,775. What size would you like to see the town in 1 years? Much larger % Somewhat larger % About the same size % Smaller than it is now % Question 6: Prime and Marginal agricultural land should be allowed to be divided/subdivided for what kinds of development? Prime Agricultural: Residential Only - PA % Commercial Only - PA 7 1.8% Both residential and commercial - PA % Divide into 35 acre lots - PA % Divide into 1 acre lots - PA % Cluster subdivisions - PA % No land divisions allowed - PA % Other - PA 9 2.3% Town of Empire Community Survey 25 2 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

3 Marginal Agricultural: Residential Only - MA % Commercial Only - MA % Both residential and commercial - MA % Divide into 35 acre lots - MA % Divide into 1 acre lots - MA % Cluster subdivisions - MA % No land divisions allowed - MA % Other - MA % Question 7: From 199 to 25, totalhousing units in Empire increased from 831 to 165. In what part of the Town would you most like to see future residential development? Quadrant % Quadrant % Quadrant % Quadrant % Other % Quadrant 1 Quadrant 2 Quadrant 3 Quadrant 4 Other Question 8: Which of the following do you favor? Annexation of land by the city of FDL to extend services % Annexation of land to accommodate future growth for FDL % No annexation of land beyond the city growth area % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 3 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

4 Question 9: The Town of Empire Subdivision Ordinance requires that new subdivision development include at least 2% of the land (beyond what cannot be developed anyway) is preserved as open space or farmland. Cluster developments are recommended. What is your opinion of this requirement for subdivisions? Subdivision development Support cluster development as currently recommended % Cluster development - 3% of land preserved % Cluster development - 4% of land preserved % Cluster development - 5% of land preserved % Do not support cluster development % No opinion % I don't understand the ordinance % Other 27 7.% Question 1: The Town adopted a zoning ordinance in 1999 that divides the Town into six different categories Do you believe the ordinance should be: Ordinance belief Maintained as is % Completely redone % Don't know % Slightly revised % Eliminated % Other 5 1.3% Question 12: Do you feel the town of Empire needs more commercial development or is it OK as it is now? Needs more % OK as is % No opinion % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 4 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

5 Needs more OK as is No opinion 5 Question 13: What types of business would you like to have available in the Town of Empire? Bed and breakfast % Senior housing % Restaurants % Farm/Produce stands % Other % Question 14: Should businesses be concentrated in a few areas or dispersed throughout the Town? Quadrant % Quadrant % Quadrant % Quadrant % Other % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 5 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

6 Question 15: What type of industrial developments is acceptable? Heavy industry % Manufacturing % Warehousing % None % Other 2 5.1% Light industrial % Assembly % Industrial Park % Question 16: Many residents have identified the Niagra Escarpment (the Ledge) as an important natural resource and feel it needs to be protected. In your opinion, what tools should be used to protect the Niagra Escarpment? Zoning overlay % Land trust acquisition for preservation % Cluster Subdivision % Other % Required setbacks % Transfer of development rights % Question 17: Would you be willing to pay additional taxes to support Land Trust or Transfer of Development Rights? Yes % No % No opinion % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 6 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

7 2 5 Yes No No opinion Question 18: Should we allow activities that are the privatized use of natural resources for profit? Yes % No % No opinion % Yes No No opinion Question 19: What involvement should Empire Town government have in the protection of groundwater quality and drinking water? No involvement % Provide information only % Regulate land uses that would adversely impact groundwater % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 7 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

8 Question 2: New developments should be required to develop shared sanitary systems or join a sanitary district. Agree % Disagree % No opinion % Agree Disagree No opinion 5 Question 21: Is the present garbage/recycling system working? Yes % No 4 1.% No opinion 8 2.1% Question 22: Have you ever attended a meeting or function at the town hall other than voting? Yes % No % Question 23: How would you assess the maintenance of town roads? Excellent % Good % Fair % Poor % Don't know 1.3% Town of Empire Community Survey 25 8 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

9 Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Question 24: How would you rate the fire protection/emergency medical services in the town? Excellent % Good % Fair 39 1.% Poor 7 1.8% Don't know % 2 5 Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Question 25: How would you rate police protection services in the town? Excellent % Good % Fair % Poor % Don't know % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 9 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

10 2 5 Excellent Good Fair Poor Don't know Question 26: Should Empire purchase and maintain a town park? Yes % No % No opinion % Yes No No opinion Question 27: Would you be willing to pay additional taxes to purchase and maintain a park? Yes 8 2.6% No % No opinion % Town of Empire Community Survey 25 1 Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

11 Yes No No opinion 5 Question 28: What types of uses would you like to see in a Town park? Trails: hiking, biking, skiing % Tennis courts % Picnic shelter % Other 1 2.6% Baseball diamond 3 7.6% Playground % A town park should not be created % Question 29: Would you like to see recreation trails developed in Empire? Yes % No % No opinion % 2 5 Yes No No opinion Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

12 Question 3: Would you be willing to pay additional taxes to purchase and maintain trails? Yes % No % No opinion % Yes No No opinion Question 31: If trails were developed in Empire, how often would you (or members of your household) use them? Daily 1 2.7% Weekly % Monthly % Never % Question 32: If recreational trails were developed in Empire, where should they be located? Within existing neighborhoods to provide trail connections between subdivisions % Within new subdivisions developments % Leading into natural areas % Other % Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

13 Question 33: Are the property taxes you pay fair considering the services you receive? Yes % No % No opinion % Yes No No opinion 5 Question 34: Would you be willing to pay for these additional services or programs? Yes % No % Question 35: Are town government officials responsive to your needs? Yes % No % No opinion % Question 36: Do you feel that Town government provides adequate information on issues? Yes % No % No opinion % Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

14 Question 37: What is the most effective way Empire Town government can provide information on issues to its citizens? Town board meetings 1 2.6% Newspaper articles % Town newsletter % Town website 27 7.% Other % Direct mail fact sheets % Separate public information meeting 3.8% % Question 38: How satisfied are you with the Town of Empire as a place to live? Very satisfied % Satisfied % Dissatisfied 4 1.% Question 39: Compared with 5 years ago, the quality of life in the Town of Empire is: Much better 4 1.% Somewhat better % The same % Somewhat worse % Much worse 3.8% NA % Much better Somewhat better The same Somewhat worse Much worse NA Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

15 Question 4: In the next 5 years, I believe the quality of life in the Town of Empire will be: Much better 1 2.7% Somewhat better % The same % Somewhat worse % Much worse 7 1.9% 2 Much better 5 Somewhat better The same Somewhat worse Much worse Question 41: What do you like most about the Town of Empire? Friendly people % Rural, country atmosphere % Quietness % Location % Other % Good services % Safety/feeling of security % Good government % Question 44: What is your gender? Male % Female % Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

16 Male Female 5 Question 45: What is your age? What is your age? Under % % % % % % % 75 years and older % Question 46: What are the ages of the persons in your household not listed in question 45? Number of individuals in each age range Under years and older 3 Question 47: Do you rent or own property in the Town? Rent 2.5% Own % Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

17 Question 48: How long have you lived in the Town of Empire? Less than 5 years % 5-1 years % 11-2 years % 2 years or longer % Lifetime resident % Question 49: Are you currently employed? Yes % No % Question 5: Approximately how many miles do you travel to your place of employment?, Work at home %, Retired %, Unemployed 4 1.1% 1 to 4 miles % 5 to 1 miles % 11 to 19 miles % 2 to 44 miles % 45 or more miles % Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research

18 Question 51: If you are employed, in what category is your occupation? Agriculture/Farming 18 6.% Manufacturing % Wholesale trade 6 2.% Other service occupations % Government % Homemaker 6 2.% Other % Construction 2 6.7% Utilities 3 1.% Retail trade % Finance, insurance, or real estate 18 6.% Education % Town of Empire Community Survey Prepared by Bull s Eye Research