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6.0 Overview of the Economy

6.4 Pittsford Village Business Climate

6.4.1 Existing Businesses in the Village of Pittsford

During the course of preparing the Comprehensive Plan, representatives from selected businesses in Pittsford were invited to participate in a focus group addressing Local Development/Industrial Development. The purpose of the focus group was to gather basic information related to the business climate in the Village of Pittsford. The positive and negative aspects of a Village of Pittsford location, and the future business climate in the Village were also discussed. An overview of that focus group can be found in the Public Input chapter of this report. According to the Village of Pittsford Directory of Local Area Establishments there are 208 businesses. The following chart provides an overview of business in the Village of Pittsford.

Table 6-8 Inventory of Businesses
Village of Pittsford

Source: Village of Pittsford Directory of Local Area Establishments

This chart indicates that there is a wide variety of services in the Village of Pittsford. Services make up the majority of businesses at approximately 17% with medical type offices/affiliations accounting for 11%. Apparel & accessories and professional offices account for almost 10% of the businesses in the Village.

There is a perception that the zoning ordinance is too restrictive in the Village; this was both a common theme in the charrette and the focus group sessions. Clarifying the zoning for existing and future business will improve the Village's relationships with the business community. Issues such as signage, setbacks and gateways could be addressed in these updates. They could help the Village's identity and promote Pittsford as a destination.

Additionally, a public relations program could help improve the business climate in the Village. By organizing and coordinating advertising and public relations, the Village and its businesses could benefit.

6.4.2 Issues Associated With Business Development

Several business development issues were identified. The Comprehensive Planning Committee has prioritized many of these items. Many of these issues are "land use" or "land use regulation" related, but they are discussed here because they impact the character of the Village and its business climate.

The lack of signage in the Village often makes it difficult for pedestrians and motorists to find parking or specific services. For example, there are no signs leading people to Schoen Place or Northfield Common from the Village Central Business District (CBD) and vice versa. Informational kiosks and signage can help make the Village more navigable.

There are few physical linkages between the Village CBD and the Canal area. The existing walkways on the State Street and the Main Street bridges or wider walkways that cross the Canal are viewed as hazardous and new-cantilevered walkways have been suggested. But physical linkages must be partnered with psychological linkages so that users of either business area feel as if they are part of one larger shopping area; this could help the Village find solutions to the perceived parking shortage.

Public restrooms is another issue identified in both the charrette and focus group sessions. Because none are available, with the exception of the Pittsford Community Library, there is the perception that businesses suffer. Public restrooms at Village Hall have been suggested as a short-term solution to this issue. Other areas could also be considered to strengthen the business friendly environment in the Village of Pittsford.

6.4.3 Major Employer Summaries

According to the Village of Pittsford Business Association, the four largest employers within the Village are the Town of Pittsford, Pittsford School District, St. Louis Church and The Messenger Post Newspapers. It should be noted that many of these employers, except the St. Louis Church and School, work throughout the greater community and not just the Village. The Village is unique in that it does not contain a large number of major employers. The following table lists the largest employers in the Village of Pittsford.

Table 6-9 Major Employers
Village of Pittsford

Source: Village Business Association and Comprehensive Planning Committee

Town of Pittsford

The Town of Pittsford is a government entity that has been in service for 200 years. The Town of Pittsford undertakes a variety of services from parks and recreation to libraries and highway maintenance. Currently, 144 people are working for the Town of Pittsford although not all work in the Village.

The Town of Pittsford employs workers with a variety of different skills ranging from administrative to financial management. The Town does not experience any difficulties filling skilled positions. When vacancies do exist, they generally advertise positions by posting civil service examinations and advertising in the newspaper.

Pittsford Central School District

The Pittsford Central School District serves as the headquarters for the eight district schools. Located at 42 West Jefferson Road in Pittsford, the district has approximately 1,100 employees who work within its eight schools, district offices, buildings and grounds, and transportation department.

St. Louis Church and School

Located at 46-64 South Main Street, St. Louis Church and School is an important employer in Pittsford. They perform a number of different services, including religious space for worship and educational services. The church was founded in 1884 and the school was dedicated in 1956.

St. Louis Church and School employs 61 people and recently completed a renovation and expansion of the facilities. Typically, St. Louis hires staff, teachers and ministers with the assistance from the Diocese of Rochester.

The Messenger Post Newspapers

The Messenger Post Newspapers prints weekly, area specific newspapers. Locally owned, there are additional facilities in Canandaigua, Brockport, Webster, Irondequoit, Gates, Chili and Greece. The Pittsford location currently has approximately 30 employees. Experiencing growth in recent years, Messenger Post Newspapers anticipate continued growth over the next five years. A wide range of individuals are employed; this includes those with graphic skills and editing skills.

The Messenger Post Newspapers has found their Pittsford location to be very positive. They have no intentions of moving out of Pittsford in the near future.

6.4.4 Business Survey

A Business Subcommittee sent out 180 business surveys to gather specific input from Village of Pittsford Business owners and 18 surveys were returned. The following section outlines the questions that were asked and the answers the business owners gave.

• What are the strengths of the Village?
  • History
    
  • Picturesque Canal
    
  • Loyalty of Village merchants
    
  • Convenience for customers close to restaurants and banks
    
  • Diversity of shops and many are owner occupied
    
  • Foot traffic, walking capabilities, upscale boutiques and Village events

• How can we capitalize on them?
  • Increase pedestrian access
    
  • More and focused Village events
    
  • Promotion of Village and Canal as an integrated entity
    
  • Use Buffalo Bills pre-season camp to draw visitors
    
  • Improve towpath access from Monroe Avenue Bridge
    
  • Integrate with pedestrian walks on both sides of the canal - link to pedestrian bridge, ramp and parking
    
  • Towpath lights needed

• What are the weaknesses?
  • Parking
  • Excessive vehicular speed and crowding
  • Difficulty crossing streets
  • Lack of pedestrian access to all shops and parking gives the appearance of three isolated shopping areas
  • Time consuming, inflexible autocratic zoning and planning groups each doing its own thing tends to stifle and frustrate
  • Innovation acting as a deterrent to business and limiting the potential for improving the environment
  • Lack of organized promotion
  • Confusion about Town/Village issues
  • Rigidity creates empty stores

• What can be done to address weaknesses?
  • Ramp Garage
    
  • Create pedestrian walkways
    
  • Consistent, more flexible and user friendly zoning and regulatory process
    
  • Improve and maintain communication with business community
    
  • Organize promotional events
    
  • Increase nighttime activities
    
  • Find a happy medium between tradition and innovation

• What are opportunities for the future?
  • Encourage a stronger business association
    
  • Utilize the Canal
    
  • Hassle free parking and pedestrian flow
    
  • International Canal Conference
    
  • Village wide input to problem solving.
    
  • Establish tax incentives
    
  • All need to work together and communicate

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