Executive Summary

The Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Pittsford, entitled A Destination for the Ages, is the culmination of two years of deliberations by a volunteer committee comprised of Village and Town residents, representatives from the business community, and input from many other sources. This Comprehensive Plan reflects a deepened understanding of the role the Village of Pittsford plays within our town, the vulnerabilities it has, and the opportunities that clearly present themselves.

The Plan recognizes that the Village is the "seat" of cultural, governmental, and social interaction for the community. Although nearly 27% of the assessed valuation within the Village is tax exempt (religious, educational, governmental), the Plan enthusiastically endorses the Village's unique role as the Center of the Town of Pittsford community. Protection and enhancement of the Center - the Destination - will assure not only a continued high quality of life for those who live and work in the Village, but will preserve the unique qualities which set our town apart from many other suburbs and which attract people to our community.

The Village is arguably our town's most important asset, which, if unattended, will meet the fate of so many other faded urban villages within New York State. When successfully implemented, this Comprehensive Plan will guarantee the viability of the Village of Pittsford into the foreseeable future. This plan was not created in a vacuum; neither can it be implemented in one. Clearly recognizing the importance of inter-governmental collaboration, the Comprehensive Plan depends on the cooperative basis already established upon which future initiatives can be successfully launched.

Strategic Directions

The Village of Pittsford Comprehensive Plan develops a strategic direction capitalizing on the uniqueness of the Village and its contribution to the vitality and success of the Town of Pittsford, thus preserving our community for future generations. In that context, the Plan documents a series of Goals, Policies, and Actions to be implemented. What follows is a summary of these items:

Regional Cooperation: Acknowledge the Village's unique role in Monroe County and work towards inter-municipal cooperation to promote a strong collaborative approach to future development. Actions include: Plan adoption and minimum five-year updates; Work with the Town to coordinate planning for the former Monoco Oil property; Actively participate in regional initiatives including the Monroe Avenue Corridor Study; Develop a Coordinated Village-Town public relations effort; Promote more recreational use of the Erie Canal.

Population and Housing: Promote the economic, social and cultural well being of all its citizens. Actions include: Utilization of Grant writing for new financing; Formation of neighborhood associations; Maintain land use regulations to support first floor retail space; Encourage development of additional senior housing; Encourage development of new attractive market-rate housing; implement a public education program on current code regulations for property owners.

Community Facilities: Promote the preservation of its significant and unique historic resources while ensuring the delivery of high quality, cost effective essential services. Actions include: Promote use of Village Hall as meeting place; Cooperate with the School District to identify and implement solutions to accommodate the expansion and renovation of Sutherland High School; Collaborate with the Town to find solutions for the expansion needs of the Library while keeping its present location; Support the Town's efforts to develop a needs assessment for the Spiegel Community Center; Work collaboratively with the School District and Town on any initiatives that would impact the Village and its residents; Arrange for additional historic village tours; Promote existing historic plaque program; Develop a comprehensive Open Space System Linkage Plan; Construct a pedestrian bridge linking north and south sides of the Erie Canal that would connect the business districts and parking areas.

Economy: Preserve and enhance its role as a successful economic center to serve the business, cultural, social and governmental needs of residents, businesses and visitors. Actions include: Collaborate with the Town Board, Pittsford Village Business Association, Chamber of Commerce, and residents to create and staff an Economic Development Department position; Prepare a Business Plan for the Village; Develop a summary of code regulations for prospective new and existing businesses.

Land Use: Coordinate growth and development in a way that protects environmental assets and promotes sound land use practices. Actions include: Adhere to recognized design principles in evaluating new commercial projects; Update regulations based upon Future Land Use Plan; Pursue designation as a "Certified Local Government"; Develop primary Village gateways; Develop master plan for Schoen Place; Continue to utilize SEQRA requirements for future projects.

Infrastructure: Develop and promote a coordinated approach to parking, transportation and infrastructure improvements. Actions include: Initiate strategies to ensure that the supply of parking spaces meets the needs of businesses, residents and visitors; Develop program to help pay for and increase parking spaces; Reconfigure public parking to increase number of spaces; Initiate negotiations with private property owners to reconfigure private parking; Work with the NYSDOT on any future improvements to the transportation network within the Town of Pittsford to determine potential impact on the Village; Make pedestrian circulation improvements; Complete a streetscape plan for Main Street, Monroe Avenue and State Street; Develop a comprehensive signage plan in conjunction with Town, NYSDOT and Monroe Avenue Corridor Study; Continue to work with Monroe County Water Authority for water needs; Expand existing street lighting plan.