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3.0 Implementation

During the process of preparing the Comprehensive Plan, including the charrette, public surveys, focus group sessions and public presentations, goals for the future were identified. These goals will guide the type and scale of growth and enable the Village to maintain a high quality-of-life for its residents. They will also provide guidance and support for the business community. Below each goal are policy statements, which further define the goal; the policies are then accompanied by actions that identify specific ways the Village can achieve the stated goal.

3.9 Land Use Guidelines

The Future Land Use Plan, as the basis for implementing the Comprehensive Plan, illustrates projected future land uses within the Village based on the recommendations within the Plan. The Plan recognizes the following categories of land use: Residential, Mixed Use/Residential, Professional Offices, Education, Agricultural Conservation, Traditional Neighborhood, Central Business District, Historic Retail District, Waterfront Commercial. It also locates other important uses which occur on scattered sites within the broader land use areas including recreation, municipal services, private utility/railroad, natural resource, private institutional (includes churches). The Future Land Use Plan I (see Figure 3-5) identifies areas available and appropriate for compatible new development; and it incorporates recommendations from the Local Waterfront Redevelopment Program, Phase I (LWRP), developed jointly by the Village of Pittsford and Town of Pittsford

In existing developed areas the Plan generally recommends maintaining and in some cases enhancing existing uses and development patterns. Although some revisions to the existing zoning code are suggested, the changes are not intended to usurp the valuable role played by the Architectural and Preservation Review Board in protecting the Village's architecturally and historically significant building stock. One of the board's primary functions is to ensure that change enhances rather than detracts from the Village's unique character.

Residential

Within the future land use plan, the majority of the Village will continue to be residential. Residential areas in the Village consist of two major areas. The first is located in the Village's north quadrant, between the Pittsford Cemetery and the railroad tracks. The larger second residential quadrant occupies approximately 3/4 of the Village's area and is located south of the Erie Canal and the Central Business District.

The plan proposes maintaining the current mix of single-family houses and scattered double and multiple unit houses. The plan is intended to continue to protect the quality of life in neighborhoods as well as the Village's historic residential character and scale. Some new "infill" construction may be accommodated on empty lots where appropriate.

Although the Plan proposes maintaining the status quo in residential areas, some adjustment of zoning regulations could improve the focus of the residential zoning code to ensure preservation of the physical character of the Village's existing neighborhoods. Possible areas to be studied include such items as: zoning setbacks, façade, garages, etc.

Two significant educational campuses are located within the Village's residential districts. Saint Louis Elementary School is a Roman Catholic parochial school located between South Main Street and Rand Place, just south of the central business district. The Saint Louis campus includes a playground, which is a popular neighborhood facility. The forty-acre Sutherland High School campus is located on the west edge of the Village at the corner of West Jefferson Road and Sutherland Street. The campus includes one of the district's two high school facilities, numerous athletic fields, tennis courts, the Lomb Woods, and the Lomb Building housing administrative offices for the Pittsford Central School District.

Agricultural

Approximately one hundred sixty acres of farmland located north of Schoen Place has been permanently protected by the Town of Pittsford's purchase of development rights (PDR). The area constitutes an important historic landscape, wildlife habitat, agricultural resource and scenic open space. Approximately sixty acres of this agricultural land lies within the Village limits. The Future Land Use plan anticipates no change in its agricultural designation.

However, a new zoning district is needed to address this area as relates to the development of Schoen Place and Northfield Common. Regulations should follow the conservation easement conditions developed by the Town of Pittsford.

Mixed Use Residential - Traditional Neighborhood

The mixed-use residential category describes an area of the village, which historically consisted of single-family homes but has evolved over the last thirty years to accommodate limited office use. The area includes the houses located on both sides of North Main Street between the railroad bridge and the Four Corners.

The plan recommends maintaining the residential visual character of the district's historic homes and landscaping. The plan also recommends maintaining residential use in the district to preserve the mix of uses needed to ensure vitality in a traditional neighborhood community. The plan does not intend for the area to become entirely commercial. Other uses with limited parking needs are potentially compatible with the district, such as Bed and Breakfasts, the use of which is prohibited by current zoning codes.

Traditional neighborhood development is proposed for two areas of vacant land located in the northwest quadrant of the Village. The first area is located on the south side of Monroe Avenue, adjacent to the south bank of the canal and includes five acres of additional vacant land within the Town. The second larger (approximately twenty acres) area is located north of the canal in the extreme northwest corner of the Village. This area contains several scenic and environmentally sensitive resources including a wetland and a ca. 1935 spruce plantation.

The traditional neighborhood development, first recommended in Phase I (LWRP) of the Village's Comprehensive Plan, would incorporate residential and other uses, utilize a conventional street grid, and follow the patterns and density of existing Village areas. Other recommendations to be incorporated in these areas include a diverse range of housing, tree lined streets that are laid out in grids avoiding cul-de-sacs, cars/garages located behind houses and sidewalks. This area should include a mix of residential and business development with a strong emphasis on the pedestrian environment. A new neighborhood can be created in this area through the use of these development techniques. This site could also be a potential location for senior housing and/or market rate housing. A community center and/or meeting hall would also be compatible with the Mixed Use Residential/Traditional Neighborhood development.

The Future Land Use Plan also considers the former Monoco Oil property a mixed use / traditional neighborhood development area as indicated in the Phase I document (LWRP). This site can utilize traditional development to provide a waterfront village that provides additional housing opportunities for Village residents. This area is also ideal for gateways that can mark the entrance into the Village through signage and pavement techniques.

The presence of the canal and the Auburn Rail Trail offer exciting opportunities for recreational facilities at both locations.

Central Business District

The Central Business District (CBD) is located in the center of the Village along the four streets radiating from the Four Corners. A smaller second general business area is located on North Main Street immediately south of the railroad overpass. The districts contain a mix of businesses, services, offices, and civic institutions. Both districts include conventional commercial buildings as well as former residences adapted to business uses.

The Central Business District boundary coincides with the existing CBD designation on the Future Land Use Plan. This designation will allow for a mixture of retail, service and residential opportunities in the CBD. Two overlay areas are suggested on the Future Land Use Plan. They are the Historic CBD Overlay and the Waterfront Overlay.

Historic Retail Business District

The area designated as a Historic CBD protects the historic character of the Central Business District in the Village; the area is located along South Main Street. The ground floor of these structures are appropriate for retail specialty shops and dining establishments, for example, while promoting residential and office uses above the ground floor. Strict design guidelines will assist in maintaining the historic quality of this area.

Located in the center of the Central Business District, this area is the Village's historic traditional commercial core. The area stretches from the Four Corners along South Main Street to Lincoln Avenue.

The Historic Retail Business District is a traditional pedestrian-oriented business area, characterized by two and one-story buildings occupying the full frontage of their lot, containing first-floor storefronts, retail or food service occupancies and office or residential use on the upper floors. Buildings within this area depend almost entirely on street parking and Village and Town-maintained public parking lots. The current zoning for the area was developed to permit restaurants and other food service uses, require retail or restaurant uses in first-floor storefront spaces, and to allow flexibility from the village's parking requirements.

Because of its pedestrian nature, the historic retail business district warrants close study of parking needs and dynamics, storefront development, street life, and general ambience. Because many of the traditional service anchors have left the Village's Central Business District, a new balance of uses and services must be attracted to restore the Four Corners and Main Street as an important community destination and pedestrian focal point.

Additionally, the Village parking regulations which currently apply to this area need to be evaluated to ensure they are not hampering business development within this crucial district.

Landscaping through the planting of trees, shrubs and flowers as well as planters and street furniture can add greatly to the historic quality of the district. Period lighting and banners that specify the area all play an important role to create a sense of place. Signage that directs visitors to other areas in the Village such as Schoen Place, Northfield Common, the Depot, etc. will assist in creating a pedestrian linkage that is currently lacking in the Village.

Mixed-Use District/ Waterfront Mixed-Use

The Waterfront CBD Overlay is designated by the Canal on the north and State Street on the south and up to the Historic CBD Overlay on the west. Uses that relate to the Canal such as boat sales and rentals along with residential development are suited for this area. Appropriate landscaping and lighting as well as a continuation of the Port of Pittsford Park Pathway along the Canal so as to connect to State Street can enhance this location.

The Waterfront Business District is located on the north side of the Canal along Schoen Place. A second is located south of the canal adjacent to Monroe Avenue. The area consists of a mixture of historic agricultural mills, warehouses, barns, silos, and a few newer buildings containing specialty shops and restaurants. The area has become a regional destination particularly during the summer months.

The Future Land Use Plan designates the area on both the north and south side of the Erie Canal as Waterfront Mixed-Use. This would include Schoen Place and Northfield Common. The designation provides opportunities for various types of development such as residential, retail, offices and light manufacturing that are appropriate to the character and scale of the waterfront. Suggested future improvements include providing sidewalks and curbing along Schoen Place, consolidating parking access, replacing the current steel guardrail with a curb and encouraging redevelopment of the remaining vacant mill buildings.

A pedestrian bridge to connect Schoen Place on the north side with the public library and the CBD on the south side would serve to link the two sides of the Canal that currently act as two separate entities. It is important that the Village functions as a whole and not in segmented sections. Linking the north and south sides of the Canal will provide a more pedestrian friendly environment, as visitors and residents will not have to drive to each location.

The Phase I (LWRP) suggests a boardwalk along both sides of the Canal, pedestrian bridge connecting Schoen Place to the library, traffic calming curves to create parks and docking areas, additional docking along the boardwalks and separated pedestrian walkways along the north side of the Canal. Walkways might be widened and improved while traffic is slowed down. In addition, this area can contain boat access, a park and decorative lighting and plantings to improve the pedestrian environment. The Phase I (LWRP) document recommends adaptive reuse of the grain elevators, mill and barns, a visitor center, Historical Interpretive Center for the Canal and farming industry, improve road layout along Schoen Place and farm market opportunities.

Professional Offices

The Village contains two professional office districts. The first is located on the south side of Monroe Avenue on the west side of the village. The second is located north of the Canal on the west side of Grove Street. Consisting of both new and adapted older buildings, the Village's office districts are attractive and well maintained. No significant changes are anticipated in these areas.

Figure 3-5 Future Land Use Plan
Village of Pittsford

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