This section will outline the details of the Survey Characteristic Group:
- (1) Family Focused Community
- Recreational facilities (Sports, Parks, Community center for youth) (72%)
- Age agnostic serving the young, the middle-aged, and elderly equally (65%)
- Clear zoning for residential fitting of their requirements (38%)
Characteristic description
The Village of Herkimer is a municipality that has always had a family or household rich population (over 50%), whereby family is defined by the US Census Bureau (per https://www.census.gov/hhes/families/about/) as:
"… a household in which there is at least 1 person present who is related to the householder by birth, marriage or adoption”
and whereby a household is defined by the US Census Bureau (per https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/meta/long_HSD410215.htm) as:
“… includes all the persons who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence. A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other persons in the building and which have direct access from outside the building or through a common hall. The occupants may be a single family, one person living alone, two or more families living together, or any other group of related or unrelated persons who share living arrangements.”
The purpose of this characteristic is to outline the vision of the Village as it pertains to how it promotes, services, and protects the profile of the family/household. Though the definition of household includes “… a single person living alone …” it is the intent of the Village characteristic to focus on the requirements of the family or multi-person household.
This section will start by detailing the means of identifying and regulating Residential properties that will support both the US Census Bureau definition of the family and the household. It will then proceed to overview the way in which the Village should support “outside of the home” activities that apply to the various personas of age, including sporting and recreational activities. It will then finish with a strongly suggested approach to developing opportunities for “blended age” activities that often move residents of a municipality to become members of a community.
"… a household in which there is at least 1 person present who is related to the householder by birth, marriage or adoption”
and whereby a household is defined by the US Census Bureau (per https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/meta/long_HSD410215.htm) as:
“… includes all the persons who occupy a housing unit as their usual place of residence. A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters. Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live and eat separately from any other persons in the building and which have direct access from outside the building or through a common hall. The occupants may be a single family, one person living alone, two or more families living together, or any other group of related or unrelated persons who share living arrangements.”
The purpose of this characteristic is to outline the vision of the Village as it pertains to how it promotes, services, and protects the profile of the family/household. Though the definition of household includes “… a single person living alone …” it is the intent of the Village characteristic to focus on the requirements of the family or multi-person household.
This section will start by detailing the means of identifying and regulating Residential properties that will support both the US Census Bureau definition of the family and the household. It will then proceed to overview the way in which the Village should support “outside of the home” activities that apply to the various personas of age, including sporting and recreational activities. It will then finish with a strongly suggested approach to developing opportunities for “blended age” activities that often move residents of a municipality to become members of a community.
Residential Zoning - Predictive Profiling
As with most municipalities, housing units located in a geographical area zoned as Residential is restricted from allowing properties in such zoned areas to be used for non-Residential purposes, such as commercial operations of a business. This restriction ensures that those residing in the Residential areas be protected from commercial businesses introducing business related automotive or foot traffic from encumbering their residential area. If an area of the Village is zoned as Residential, it would require approval of the Village Administration (i.e. Board of Trustees, Zoning Board, Planning Board) to permit the alternate use of a Residential property to be used for Commercial (or Industrial) use.
It is also necessary to formalize the various profiles of Residential zoning whereby one form of Residential zoning may only permit single family/household dwellings that can only be occupied by the owner of the dwelling, versus multi-family/household dwellings that are allowed to be tenant occupied, versus those that are specifically developed to enable tenant housing such as an apartment building or housing complex. Each has its purpose and should be considered when developing a “family focused” community so there is purposefulness and rationale when assigning specific residential zoning profiles to specific areas of a municipality – or in this case – the Village of Herkimer.
To ensure that type of regional and predictive zoning, it is recommended that the zoning be reviewed, refined, and allocated as to create residential profiling that is the least disruptive to existing occupancy within the Village, while establishing clear differentiation between the various residentially zoned areas.
The current residential zoning ordinance as defined per the Local Law #3 of 2012, Amended Zoning Ordinance, Village of Herkimer, New York (pgs 7, 8) organize residential zoning per R-1, R-2, and R-3. For details on definitions of these zoning districts, reference the document noted.
When reviewing the definitions of uses permitted in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning districts, it is clear that there needs to be a means of creating more distinctive refinement for the following reasons:
It is also necessary to formalize the various profiles of Residential zoning whereby one form of Residential zoning may only permit single family/household dwellings that can only be occupied by the owner of the dwelling, versus multi-family/household dwellings that are allowed to be tenant occupied, versus those that are specifically developed to enable tenant housing such as an apartment building or housing complex. Each has its purpose and should be considered when developing a “family focused” community so there is purposefulness and rationale when assigning specific residential zoning profiles to specific areas of a municipality – or in this case – the Village of Herkimer.
To ensure that type of regional and predictive zoning, it is recommended that the zoning be reviewed, refined, and allocated as to create residential profiling that is the least disruptive to existing occupancy within the Village, while establishing clear differentiation between the various residentially zoned areas.
The current residential zoning ordinance as defined per the Local Law #3 of 2012, Amended Zoning Ordinance, Village of Herkimer, New York (pgs 7, 8) organize residential zoning per R-1, R-2, and R-3. For details on definitions of these zoning districts, reference the document noted.
When reviewing the definitions of uses permitted in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning districts, it is clear that there needs to be a means of creating more distinctive refinement for the following reasons:
- R-1 Residential District
- Though it identifies that a Dwelling may occupy this zoning district, the definition of Dwelling in the referenced document is provides as “… any building used wholly for habitation” (page 2). This is significantly open to varied interpretation, whereby the term Single Family Detached Dwelling is more clearly defined as “ … a dwelling accommodating or designed to accommodate but a single family in a single dwelling unit.” (page 3).
- It is recommended that a new zoning profile be developed for R-1 that uses the term Single Family Detached Dwelling, with the additional stipulation that the dwelling also be owner occupied. This eliminates the ability to create rental housing in R-1 Residential Districts without approval of the Village Administration, which would include the owner to fill out the necessary Residency Occupancy Permit forms detailing their role as a landlord and ensure proper Village operations regarding the tenant nature of the dwelling.
- R-2 Residential District
- In the referenced Local Law #3, the definition of this zoning district is “Any use permitted in R-1 Residential District” (page 7). This puts the distinctness of R-2 at a logical disadvantage in that it purports to have no difference from an R-1 zoning district.
- A reference is made to Two-Family Homes and Multiple Dwellings “… shall be prohibited in R-1 and R-2 Residential Districts, except where the relationship of parent and child exists between at least one member of the family occupying one dwelling unit and one member of the family occupying the other dwelling unit, and the general construction is such as not to impair the residential quality of the area.” (page 7).
- By rewording the profile of the R-1 zoning district to permit only Single-Family Detached Dwellings, this would omit the need to make the reference to the R-1 Residential District as noted in (2b) regarding Two-Family Homes and Multiple Dwellings in the R-2 definition.
- It is suggested that R-2 Residential District should permit the owner to rent the Dwelling Unit(s) of a building without an alternative use approval, though still require all necessary Residency Occupancy Permit forms be completed with the Village Administration. This would establish several distinctions from the R-1 Residential District.
- R-3 Residential District
- It is clear in the existing definition of the R-3 Residential District that it allows for larger scale housing development using allowable dwelling categorizations such as boarding house, lodging house, and rooming house. However it does not specifically include dwelling categorizations such as Row Dwelling or Town House, which suggests that the R-3 zoning district definition needs to also be review with more current terminology and consistency in what this zoning district definition is intended to include. An example of Row Dwelling or Town House is provided to the right per the Creekside Court, Herkimer Housing Authority.
- This zoning district definition also includes the allowance of both R-1 and R-2 Residential District dwellings as a catch all to reduce the need to define specific zoning district regions of the Village of Herkimer. An example of this is that all residential regions south of German Street are assigned the R-3 Residential District zoning classification, even though more than half of those dwelling would not be categorized as having dwelling profiles unique to the R-3 zoning classification.
- In an effort to create a more Family Friendly persona, it is required that regions of the Village that do not represent R-3 unique profiles should not be zoned as R-3 to ensure that owners of properties in these regions can purchase a dwelling/home with the assurance that they can raise families in neighborhoods that are applicable to the zoning profile of the regions that said dwellings were purchase. An example is Eureka Ave which is located directly in the center of the R-3 Residential District, though an aerial photo shows individual dwellings that fit the profile of R-1 or possibly R-2, but are not applicable to those dwellings unique to an R-3 zoning district.
The above are suggestive notes, whereby it is necessary to formalize the profile of Residential zoning districts (R-1, R-2, and R-3) to normalize what a property owner can expect based on the zoning district. The current Residential zoning districting will need to be reviewed to ensure that the predominant profile of each region of the Village is aligned with the revised definition of the refined Residential zoning profile.
Recreational Facilities
A resounding requirement of the future Village of Herkimer, as voted on by those surveyed (70%) is that the Village must provide recreational facilities to those that live, work, and visit the community.
There presently exist three locations that provide varies support as recreational facilities that are primarily available during fair weather seasons (spring, summer, and fall) and are located in areas accessible to those in:
There presently exist three locations that provide varies support as recreational facilities that are primarily available during fair weather seasons (spring, summer, and fall) and are located in areas accessible to those in:
- The northwest region (Brookwood Park); which offers two ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, small pavilion, picnicking, camping, and bathroom facilities;
- The northeast region (Baslow Field); which offers a public swimming pool, a regulation baseball field, tennis court, bathroom and shower facilities, and large open field area; and
- The southeast region (South Field); which offers a regulation baseball field, two smaller baseball diamond areas, a tennis court, a basketball court (across the street), cooking and restaurant facilities;
- The southwest region (Harmon Field); which includes three baseball fields, a dual tennis and single basketball court, a children’s playground, bathroom and shower facilities, and a large field area in the southeastern portion of the park area.
It is recommended that these recreational parks be kept in operating order, so there can be support for public recreational sporting events, and public access that leverage each location’s specific facilities. It is also recommended that each park support dog exercise areas that are fenced to permit off-leash running, along with waste facilities that are maintained.
Winter support is an area that is lacking in all Recreational Parks. However, in the 60-70’s Harmon Field used to be flooded in the winter and provided as a Skating Rink, leveraging the on-site building for bathroom and equipment changing area. This should be brought back into operation to enable winter activities for the community, and provide a venue for winter festivals and holiday events.
Winter support is an area that is lacking in all Recreational Parks. However, in the 60-70’s Harmon Field used to be flooded in the winter and provided as a Skating Rink, leveraging the on-site building for bathroom and equipment changing area. This should be brought back into operation to enable winter activities for the community, and provide a venue for winter festivals and holiday events.
Public Parks
A municipality that promotes a Family Friendly persona should also provide public parks that are used for public events (i.e. seasonal celebrations), nature walks, physical exercising, resting on pubic benches, or other type of park supported activities. Examples of public parks available within the Village include:
- Central region (Myers Park); offering a large pavilion, walking paths, benches, grass covered and large shade trees:
- Northeast region (Hydraulic Canal Greenway); limited to walking path, grass covering, and small shrubbery.
The Hydraulic Canal Greenway was developed in 2009 and was funded by government economic stimulus grant, which did not extend the full length of the original Hydraulic Canal, but stopped at its intersection with Weber Street. The remaining portion of the “once Hydraulic Canal” was filled in and developed into either parking of private land space southward until it East Smith Street. From that point on, the Hydraulic Canal remains a waterway that traverses south-southeast until it eventually passes under the railroad bridge and empties into the Mohawk River.
Rather than honoring the Hydraulic Canal’s southern portion as a monument of industry’s past, it is recommended that the Hydraulic Canal Greenway should be continued from East Smith Street until it reaches the train bridge beyond East Steele Street. This would provide a strolling park for southern residents of the Village and both the existing northern section and the newly formed southern section should be enhanced to be a walking, sitting, and nature park that it was intended back in 2009.
Rather than honoring the Hydraulic Canal’s southern portion as a monument of industry’s past, it is recommended that the Hydraulic Canal Greenway should be continued from East Smith Street until it reaches the train bridge beyond East Steele Street. This would provide a strolling park for southern residents of the Village and both the existing northern section and the newly formed southern section should be enhanced to be a walking, sitting, and nature park that it was intended back in 2009.
Proposed Parks & Recreation
The Village of Herkimer has several locations that should be viewed as additional areas to be developed (or marketed) to offer Park & Recreational services. The map image below profiles three such areas that leverage Mirror Lake (upper left portion of the image), the existing Erie Canal Cruises (lower left portion of the image), and an additional large land plot (lower right portion of the image) where the West Canada Creek and the Mohawk River join.
The location identified along the western entry of the Mohawk River is already developed to offer cruises and entertainment along the Mohawk River (per Erie Canal Cruises) and is privately owned.
The land that borders Mirror Lake is also privately owned, but should be reviewed to determine if there is opportunity to develop it to provide recreational services. Such services include family picnicking, nature trails, and water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, and all season fishing both in the warm and cold (ice fishing) periods.
The large land area in the southeastern portion of the Village was previously used as the location of the Village dump and for that reason has had little appeal for development. However there is an enormous value to this land when viewed for development as a park for outdoor recreation. Like with Mirror Lake and the cruise service provided by the Erie Canal Cruises, this location can support locations for picnicking, family/community gatherings, nature trails, fishing, and boating. This area should also be investigated for development to enhance the services available to residents and visitors of the Village.
The land that borders Mirror Lake is also privately owned, but should be reviewed to determine if there is opportunity to develop it to provide recreational services. Such services include family picnicking, nature trails, and water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, and all season fishing both in the warm and cold (ice fishing) periods.
The large land area in the southeastern portion of the Village was previously used as the location of the Village dump and for that reason has had little appeal for development. However there is an enormous value to this land when viewed for development as a park for outdoor recreation. Like with Mirror Lake and the cruise service provided by the Erie Canal Cruises, this location can support locations for picnicking, family/community gatherings, nature trails, fishing, and boating. This area should also be investigated for development to enhance the services available to residents and visitors of the Village.
The property image on the left, next to the DEC office at 225 N. Main Street should be converted into a park that adjoins the current park alongside the Frank J. Basloe Library located at 245 N. Main Street.
Community Centers
A community center is defined as a place where those that live, work, or visit a community can meet for social, educational, or recreational activities. Community centers can be funded by federal or local government; community organization(s); private citizen(s) or commercial corporation(s); or commercial organization owned and operated.
Community centers can be supported through a variety of profiles, including:
Community centers can be supported through a variety of profiles, including:
- Library - The Frank J. Basloe Library (government provides the Village with core library services, along with community services such as (per February 2017 schedule) Adult Coloring, First Friend Storytime, Homeschooler’s Group, and Legal Services of Central NY Free Clinic.
- Youth Centers – None exist in the Village, though there is a definite need for such facilities to support the Village’s youth.
The management of these Youth Centers should be done in accordance with the sponsoring community organizations/businesses but the facilities offered should be those defined as a collaboration of Village representatives and the sponsoring organizations.
As represented by the Youth Center image above, there should be gaming such as billiards, table tennis, foosball, tables for board games, as well as seating areas of creative discussion and arts/crafts. It is also strongly encouraged that the elderly of the Village be enlisted as volunteers to provide an opportunity to bring together those of broad age groups, establishing community building through interaction.
Additional requirements and/or suggestions that were entered by survey respondents include:
- Ensure clean and safe main street (Retail Corridor)
- Establish and enforce tenant safety, building codes for rentals
- Job training; wood shops; computer repair
- College participation in community activities and support educational services/programs for local residents of all ages
Action Points
- Update the current Village Zoning classification per the Residential profile (R1, R2, R3) to provide more distinction per zoning classification.
- Responsibility: Planning Board, the Zoning Board, and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Establish a two year plan for zoning adoption and adherence of all Residential properties occupying the updated Residential regions.
- Responsibility: Planning Board, the Zoning Board, and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Develop a detailed Capital Improvement Plan. A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is the tool through which the Village can clarify its approach to capital improvements, including the paving of roads, sewer, water, sidewalks, and parks. The CIP is a document that can show which projects are needed, as well as the relationship of investments in alignment with the priorities identified in this document.
- Responsibility: Village Department of Public Works, Water and Sewer Department, NYS DoT, Planning Board, Code Enforcement, and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Investigate submitting for grant funding from the Department of Environmental Conservation per the Open Space Funding program to fund the recommendations per the Parks & Recreation section.
- Responsibility: Planning Board and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Investigate funding sources per the recommendations per the sections on Community and Youth Centers – both governmental and commercial/private organizations.
- Responsibility: Planning Board and the Village Board of Trustees.
- Responsibility: Planning Board and the Village Board of Trustees.
ACTION POINTS
IN-WORK