Countryside Exchange – Northern Dutchess County, NY

The Northern Dutchess Alliance, New York Exchange

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Community Issues
Sample Itinerary
The Exchange Team

Natural and Cultural Heritage
Agriculture
Land Use
Economic Development
The Future of Community Involvement
Role of the NDA

Conclusion

Crosscutting Issues

Appendix

THE COUNTRYSIDE EXCHANGE:
A PROGRAM OF GLYNWOOD CENTER

The Countryside Exchange brings together international teams of volunteer professionals to work with communities on their most important issues. Those issues usually center around conservation and economic development. The Exchange is a catalyst. It uses a visit by an objective team of “outsiders” to identify a wide range of potential solutions, create diverse coalitions, spur the emergence of new leaders and inspire collaborative action. The community also benefits from new ideas, networks and information that it can use to help shape its future.

Since 1987, eighty-six communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan have hosted a Countryside Exchange. Close to 700 professionals from England, Scotland, Wales, the United States, Canada, Japan, France, the Netherlands and Australia have participated as team members.

How Does the Exchange Work?

Communities are selected to participate in the Countryside Exchange through a competitive application process. Glynwood Center evaluates proposals based on such criteria as the depth of interest within the community, existing leadership and leadership skills and the strength and diversity of community members supporting the application. Applicants must also demonstrate flexibility, a willingness to learn new skills and processes and show commitment to working as a team and to developing a community based implementation strategy after the Exchange.

Once a community is selected, a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is formed. The LOC is crucial to the success of the Exchange and must include a representative cross section of the community – business owners, farmers, developers, elected officials, conservationists and “average citizens.” The LOC identifies and refines the questions that the Exchange team will address. It also plans the Exchange week itinerary, takes care of logistics and handles publicity. After the Exchange, the LOC helps initiate implementation efforts.

Because the team is only in the community for seven days, thorough preparation by the LOC is critical. Glynwood Center provides a detailed handbook for local organizers. Glynwood staff attends several of the planning meetings and offer guidance on a whole range of Exchange preparations.

The Exchange Team

Glynwood Center draws upon its extensive international network to form teams consisting of six to eight experienced professionals. Each team is international and interdisciplinary in its makeup. Team members are selected by matching a candidate’s expertise with the issues identified by the community. In order to ensure that teams are objective, participants must have had no previous connection to the host community.

The team spends a very intense week in the community. A full itinerary of issue- oriented roundtables, presentations, tours, panel discussions and community gatherings gives the team an opportunity to speak with many residents, officials and organizations. The week culminates with the team presenting its observations and ideas at a public forum. A summary report is also published to assist the community with implementation.

Implementation

After the Exchange week, the team report is distributed throughout the community as a first step towards developing an implementation strategy. Most Exchange reports include some forty recommendations and determining priorities is one of the most important tasks facing the community. Glynwood Center continues to provide support during this period and offers a training workshop tailored to the community’s needs approximately six months after the Exchange week. Community representatives are also invited to an annual training seminar. Glynwood maintains contact with its “Family of Exchange Communities” through its web site, www.glynwood.org, Update Newsletter, data base and ongoing personal contact.

The Results

Just as communities vary, so, too, do the results of each Exchange. Some team recommendations may be broad, others very specific. Some may be small-scale projects that can be implemented quickly. Others may be larger, requiring a policy change, a significant philosophical shift – and time. In some cases, the Exchange may trigger a change that the community widely acknowledged was needed. The report may articulate an issue that leads to community discussion and an alternate solution. What most Exchange communities share in common is that the new and strengthened partnerships, expanded leadership base and collaborative action cultivated through the Exchange pays dividends long into the future.

Northern Dutchess County, New York

Community Description

Dutchess County is located in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State, along the eastern bank of the Hudson River and the western border of Connecticut. The rich landscape of Dutchess County is marked by small cities, villages and farms, rich in history and character. As part of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, the county is abound in period homesteads and mansions, museums, hiking trails and picnicking areas, as well as special cultural events.

The Northern Dutchess County region includes 10 rural municipalities located in Dutchess County – the Towns of Hyde Park, Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Clinton, Milan, Pleasant Valley and Stanford and the Villages of Rhinebeck, Red Hook and Tivoli. Each Town and Village has its own unique qualities that complement their neighbors. Hyde Park is an historic gateway to the region. The Villages of Rhinebeck, Tivoli, Red Hook and Pleasant Valley are commercial hubs with vibrant main streets. The Towns of Clinton, Milan, Red Hook, Rhinebeck and Stanford are rich in farmland.

Formed in 1996, the Northern Dutchess Alliance (NDA) is a coalition of business, government, nonprofit and community organizations and leaders committed to comprehensive regional planning and development that respects each municipality’s distinctive character and preserves and improves “quality of life” for both residents and visitors. The NDA viewed the Exchange as an opportunity to strengthen understanding and appreciation of the region’s historic, natural and cultural assets and learn more about how to preserve them while realizing their economic and social potential more fully. Through the Exchange process, the Alliance also aimed to enhance inter-municipal cooperation and broaden their constituency.

Community Issues

The Northern Dutchess Alliance used the Countryside Exchange to create and sustain a common vision for the future for its ten member communities. The Local Organizing Committee engaged residents in the region to generate the following questions for the Exchange team to consider:

1. Natural and Cultural Heritage

How can the NDA identify the rich natural and cultural resources of the region and develop inter-municipal protection strategies that are compatible with economic development?
How can the NDA assist in the development of increased cooperation and communication among the stewards of our natural and cultural resources?
How can the NDA promote the region as a heritage tourism destination and encourage the development of the infrastructure necessary to support a strong tourism industry?
How can the NDA help those responsible for our natural and cultural resources secure funding sufficient to ensure preservation of and increased public access to existing resources and the acquisition of critical additional resources?

2. Agriculture

How do we promote agriculture as a significant contributor to the region’s economy and the preservation of open space?
How do we cover the costs of agriculture and open space preservation?

3. Land Use/Acceptable Growth

How do we implement smart growth principles in the Northern Dutchess region?
How do we define appropriate growth and where do we locate it?
How do we reinforce viable mixed used development in existing town and Village centers and where do we establish new town centers?

4. Economic Development

How do we create a Northern Dutchess economy that satisfies as many needs of the area residents as practical, thus maintaining, for each of our towns and villages, a sense of community and place while avoiding the sprawl that has enveloped Southern Dutchess County?
By relying on the Internet, business incubators, Foodworks, and the charm of the area, can we build a viable economy based on home occupations, small business offices, tourism, agriculture, etc. and thus substantially reduce the need to commute elsewhere? If so, how?
What must we do to recapture the dollars our residents now spend outside of the NDA region?
What changes are needed to achieve the above goals?
How can local governments generate revenue streams to augment property taxes in ways that do not stifle local economic development?

5. Community Involvement

How can NDA achieve broader involvement of its members in shaping the future of this region?
How can NDA tempt people younger than 40 to participate in the planning for the future of their communities?
How can NDA enlarge the number of volunteers committed to shaping the future of this region?
How can NDA encourage the development of new leaders in Northern Dutchess – a necessity for keeping the region dynamic and bringing fresh ideas to planning for the community?

Sample Exchange Itinerary:

Three Days form the Northern Dutchess County Exchange

Saturday, October 21 – Agriculture Day

8:30 a.m.	Breakfast discussion with farmers sponsored by Dutchess County Apple Growers and Dairy Committee
9:30 a.m.	Tour of Batenfeld Farm
10:00 a.m.	Tour of Morehouse Merino Sheep Farm
11:00 a.m.	Tour of Clarence Knapp’s Dairy Farm
11:30 a.m.	Tour of High Field Beef Farm
12:00 noon	Lunch with farmers and town officials, sponsored by the Dutchess County Farm Bureau
1:30 p.m.	Tour of Buttonwood Horse Farm
2:00 p.m.	Wool and Sheep Festival at Dutchess County Fairgrounds
3:30 p.m.	Tour of Rose Hill Farm
4:00 p.m.	Tour of Greig Farm
6:00 p.m.	Dinner at Wurtemburg Lutheran Church

Sunday, October 22 – Heritage Day

9:00 a.m.	Tour of Rhinebeck
10:00 a.m.	Visit the Rhinebeck Farmers’ Market Walking Tour of Village
11:45 a.m.	Meeting with the Mayor of Tivoli
12:30 p.m.	Lunch and panel discussion on natural heritage protection with local organizations
1:30 p.m.	Tour of Kaatsbaan International Dance Center
5:30 p.m.	Tour of Wilderstein Mansion followed by reception and dinner
7:30 p.m.	Roundtable on tourism

Monday, October 23 – Community Involvement Day

12:00 noon	Lunch and discussion on local volunteer issues, broader community involvement and future leaders.
2:00 p.m.	Meet with principal and students of Rhinebeck High School to discuss youth involvement in planning for the community and region and needs of youth in the area.
7:00 p.m.	Discussion with community volunteers and public forum on enlarging the volunteer base for shaping the future.

The Northern Dutchess County Exchange Team

Marie-Helene Baneth is a Rural Economic Advisor with the Country Landowners Association (CLA), which represents the interests of 50,000 private landowners in England and Wales on issues related to policy development concerning a variety of rural and agricultural issues. Her background is in economics, international business and political studies.

Jerry Belan is a Park Planner and Landscape Architect with the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Department. In this role, he reviews development proposals and plan amendments concerning open space design, landscape/streetscape improvements and parklands and recreation facilities; conducts community consultation; undertakes relevant research and liaises with City Council. Jerry has a background in landscape architecture, business management and public administration.

Eric Bowles is the Head of Development Plans for Brecon Beacons National Park in the south of Wales. As part of the Park Authority he is responsible for preserving areas of special beauty while still assuring viable economic life for the communities within the park. Eric’s particular areas of expertise include land use planning and agriculture, having served as a professional planner as well as a sheep and cattle farmer.

Robert Dufton has been the Deputy Director of Operations for the Heritage Lottery Fund and Head of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, both organizations that provide funds to safeguard and enhance natural and cultural heritage deemed important to the character and identity of the United Kingdom. Robert is also responsible for managing the operational performance of the Heritage Lottery Fund and for creating new grant schemes.

Anne Given is the Scheduled Monuments Records Officer and Planning Archaeologist with the Environment and Heritage Service of Northern Ireland. In this position, she is responsible for developing and implementing planning policy concerning historic sites, landscapes and townscapes. Anne is also the coordinator of a multidisciplinary approach to the preparation of local plans for landscapes and townscapes in order to preserve the features and qualities that are critical to “sense of place.”

Jennifer Howard is the Greenways Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management. In this position, she works with communities to help them determine their most important greenway and trail issues and provides technical assistance about how best to tackle them. She also administers DEM’s Greenway Grant program and helps communities and organizations prepare grant applications.

R. Christopher Noonan is the Director of the Blackstone Valley Institute in Massachusetts, a strategic effort sponsored by the Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor concerned with land use planning and heritage tourism within the Valley. His background is in Historic Preservation and he is also owner of Preservation Services, Inc., a firm providing architectural design, land use planning, real estate development and construction management service to southern New England.

NORTHERN DUTCHESS ALLIANCE EXCHANGE TEAM REPORT

Introduction

The Countryside Exchange Team visited the North Dutchess Alliance (NDA) area from October 20 -27, 2000. The NDA asked the team to address a range of questions to create and sustain a common vision for the future of its ten member communities. The questions for the Exchange Team were organized around five themes: economic development, community involvement, heritage, land use/acceptable growth and agriculture.

Using these questions as a guide, the Exchange Team engaged in a process of extensive consultation with the communities of the NDA area, through meetings with representatives of local businesses, community organizations, local government officials and residents. These discussions took place in many forums including field visits of local farms, site visits to a variety of locales within the region, and meetings with school children, as well as early-morning rail commuters. The team also participated in five themed round tables, and held three public meetings. By the end of the Exchange week, the Team had held face-to-face discussions with over 400 people representing a wide cross-section of the community.

In view of the dispersed nature of the communities involved, the Exchange focused on perceptions and communication, rather than hard data. Based on the information gathered during the week, the team decided that tourism was a theme in its own right, and accordingly structured the report as follows: natural and cultural heritage; agriculture; land use; economic development; tourism; and community building. The order of this report is guided by the team’s observation that the natural and cultural heritage of the area defines it in a very strong way. Understanding this significance is critical to managing change so that it does not threaten the integrity and the very attractiveness of the area.

The proximity of the Northern Dutchess County communities to the New York metro area, and ensuing strong development pressures, has an impact on farming, and wider land use issues, including economic development. Maintaining a thriving agricultural base and developing balanced land use and economic development policies while protecting the rural character and heritage landscape that sustain a strong and growing tourism industry are some of the major challenges facing this group of municipalities. Local community and volunteer groups, which form an integral part of the American system of governance, have an important role to play in helping achieve these objectives, and innovative ways have to be found to sustain and increase community involvement. The importance of building inter-municipal cooperation in achieving these ambitions cannot be underestimated.

Natural and Cultural Heritage

Issues:

How can the NDA communities identify the rich natural and cultural resources of the region and develop intermunicipal protection strategies that are compatible with economic development?
How can the NDA assist in the development of increased cooperation and communication among the stewards of our natural and cultural resources?
How can the NDA help those responsible for our natural and cultural resources secure funding sufficient to ensure preservation of and increased public access to existing resources and the acquisition of critical additional resources?

Observations:

Northern Dutchess County is rich in natural and cultural heritage. The majestic Hudson River, the historic country estates, quaint villages and hamlets, productive agricultural fields interspersed with woodlands, and the scenic roads and pathways that connect them define the character of this region, and make it a good place to live. In addition, the region’s natural and cultural resources play a key role in its economy.

There are several organizations and individuals working to protect, develop and market these treasures; however, there is a wide range of perspectives on the meaning of heritage and community. Within the Northern Dutchess area there appears to be a perception that the protection, use and potential marketing of natural resources presents a separate set of issues from developing similar strategies for cultural resources. While the specific observations about these two resources are different, many of the strategies and recommendations for protecting them are similar. For clarity’s sake we have separated the natural and cultural resource sections, but point out that within the landscape the two are intimately linked and together define the rich heritage of Northern Dutchess County.

Natural Heritage

One of the major threats to the region’s natural and cultural heritage is fragmentation – of the landscape, protection strategies, information, and stewardship. A key step in protecting the integrity of any area is having a good understanding of the resource base and its stewards. Much of this information exists in bits and pieces, but needs to be brought together in order to understand they interact with one another and with the community. Once key areas are identified, communities can target critical resources for protection, and channel growth to areas where it can be well accommodated.

Many residents are keenly aware of the importance of a diverse and healthy natural resource base, and feel passionately about protecting it. In the 10-town region, communities have designated 15 Critical Environmental Areas under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) as areas of exceptional or unique character. As such, the impacts of projects within these areas now require additional review at the local level. Eleven additional areas have been designated Significant Natural Areas to encourage recognition and protection of their unique qualities. These designations are voluntary and are initiated by the municipality. While a significant number of areas have been identified, there are likely several more that are worthy of designation and protection.

Streams and wetlands, ridge tops, forestland, and other natural areas do not coincide with political boundaries. Planning and protection measures, however, are most often implemented at the municipal level. While many community members recognize the need to protect and manage these resources at a regional level, they find it difficult to do so in the context of a strong “home rule” tradition. In addition, local governments seem to be over-committed and may not have time to deal with “outside interests.” In spite of this, there are several examples of neighbors working together to tackle issues. For example, communities within the Wappinger Creek Watershed (including Milan, Clinton, Stanford, and Pleasant Valley), are working together to create a watershed management plan that will address water quality, sustainable growth, and recreation and tourism issues.

Residents are frustrated by the property tax system that considers the development potential of the land rather than its most appropriate use. For example, taxation of a 50-acre tract of forestland is based on the extent to which it can be developed under current zoning. This means that landowners are paying high taxes on open land and are in effect helping to subsidize services that they are not using. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) runs a program which provides forestland owners of 50 acres or more up to 80% tax relief, which can relieve some of the economic pressures on keeping land open.

The Hudson River is a major feature of the region, however, people and communities do not appear to identify with it. While there are grand sweeping views of the river from many places in Northern Dutchess, there are few places where the public can actually get down to the river. The train runs along the riverbank separating the river from the adjacent towns. The river front itself is dominated by large privately owned estates such as the Wilderstein and Vanderbilt mansions. There are trail networks on the grounds of many of these estates and committees in Rhinebeck and Red Hook that are working to create a system of trails and scenic bike routes to connect these sites. Access to the river remains fairly restricted, thus limiting community appreciation and protection of this significant natural asset.

There are many different definitions of “heritage” in the Northern Dutchess communities. The region is fortunate to have many dedicated individuals and organizations committed to protecting and marketing the mansions, estates and scenic qualities of the area. These resources are geared to tourists, however, and it is unclear whether the average citizen, and particularly youth, are benefiting. The focus on these resources draws attention away from and hence has an adverse impact on protecting the less obvious natural or other- built heritage interests.

Recommendations

Develop a comprehensive inventory and map(s) of the natural and cultural resources in Northern Dutchess to gain a better understanding of the resource base. Inventories can identify resources, levels of significance and possible constraints.
Work with residents across the region to identify the resources and issues that are most important to them. This information can form the basis for developing common goals and inter-municipal strategies that are based on the resource base, rather than on municipal boundaries (e.g. watershed planning).
Work within and between municipalities to link key resources such as parks, historic sites, village centers, forestlands, and critical habitat areas through the creation of greenway and trail corridors. Connecting these resources can help maintain the ecological viability of natural areas and the integrity of the cultural landscape, while making them more interesting and diverse for residents and tourist alike.
Develop a directory of organizations and groups that are involved in heritage protection and stewardship to foster information sharing and cooperation.
Designate chosen heritage areas as significant and critical in order to raise awareness of their importance and enhance their protection.
Work with other communities to identify common resource areas and to develop compatible protection strategies. Recently the Town and Village of Red Hook and the Village of Tivoli worked together to complete an open space plan that sets out the three communities’ individual and common open space protection goals and strategies. Another approach is to study the extent and needs of a particular resource area such as a wetland system, and then create an inter-municipal overlay zone and standards that could be adopted by appropriate municipalities.
Work with landowners of large forest blocks to create compatible forest management plans that consider the parcel in the context of the larger forest ecosystem.
Modify zoning to protect sensitive areas or restrict development.
Take advantage of the education and outreach programs currently available through the State, County and Cornell Cooperative Extension for information on existing regulations, innovative zoning techniques, and grant and incentive programs. Additional education and outreach is also needed on these issues.
Identify existing and potential access points to the waterfront and develop strategies to make them available to the community. Access points can be low key and natural or more developed like the proposed river front park in Tivoli. Creating more access to the river, and involving the community in developing and celebrating it may help to reestablish a connection with it.
Broaden efforts to expand a river trail, where the “trail” is actually the river itself. With a few key access points and a self-guiding brochure, water trails can be an effective way get tourists and resident out on the river, and educate them about its natural and cultural history.
Expand cooperative efforts to create a Greenway trail system along the river where possible, and link with the web of trails and scenic roads within each community. These networks can physically link communities, and the process of creating them can connect the people of various municipalities with each other and potentially with the river.
Municipalities and non-profits should work together to negotiate with the rail companies for access over (or under) the tracks and to the river.
Broaden the current information base about the variety of heritage resources available locally by bringing together stewards and advocates for the many types of land that comprise the region’s heritage.
Sponsor group events such as interpretive tours or hikes, canoes trip or bike rides to facilitate learning in an informal setting and building relationships for cooperative work.
Create a consortium of heritage based land managers and stewards to coordinate development of information and services for the public and to pool resources for management, services, marketing and fund raising tasks.
Work to understand the recreational needs of local residents and create these opportunities within Northern Dutchess County. Involving people in activities such as trail building or restoration activities can help create a feeling of ownership and pride among residents.

Cultural Heritage

Observations

A significant part of the cultural resource of a community is its “sense of place”- the feeling that this is home- which comes from sharing ownership of the natural and cultural heritage. Essentially it is the sum total of place and people where:

“Place” can be defined as an area of land, which comprises both a natural and built environment and for which the community feels a sense of ownership,
“People” can be defined as the cumulative social, economic and cultural experience of individuals and groups which permeates the whole community.

The people of the Northern Dutchess area display the rich mix that defines American culture including a heady combination of language, stories, music, food, crafts, building and farming practices from all over the world.

Historic preservation is an important issue in Northern Dutchess and many controversies arise when any development or change is proposed. Often the first reaction of people is to block any change from occurring. They often focus on very specific protection issues like valuing individual buildings rather than their landscapes, emphasizing grander buildings over ordinary familiar places.

Empty buildings within existing settlements present obvious opportunities for new residents and businesses. When they look neglected, their value is diminished to potential buyers, and they reflect poorly on the community image, at worst, giving the impression that a settlement may have economic problems.

Another important historic resource in the region is the existing settlement pattern of villages and townships. Initiatives are being considered (e.g. in Milan) to develop a new village in an area where the established, historic settlement pattern is comprised of small, unstructured and scattered communities. New development would initiate a complex process that has implications for the environment, cultural heritage, economy and social interaction of the local communities.

Roads and highways are an important part of landscape and include the walls, trees and woodlands that line them as well as the roads themselves. The dry stonewalls that are so prominent in the Northern Dutchess environs are a distinctive rural feature, but many are in need of maintenance and threatened by roadway improvements. Individual roadside trees are also a resource in some areas, but are vulnerable to weather and traffic impacts and age. Similarly, the character of roadside woodlands depends on sensitive management. Extensive clearance of the under-canopy, for example, can impact biodiversity of the woodland as well as the appearance from the road.

One of the most significant roadways in the environs is the Taconic Parkway, a high- quality road that was designed at a time when motoring was a privilege and a recreational activity. It currently offers benefits for the local and wider community, but not without costs. It cuts through some communities and poses serious safety and congestion issues for accessing and crossing the highway. Commercial traffic is increasing, but not allowed to use the parkway. Instead, it is diverted to smaller local roads that are not designed to handle the weight or volume. This situation creates additional safety, congestion and maintenance problems for local communities.

Recommendations:

Celebrate the cultural heritage of the region by developing special events based on themes, ethnicity or tradition.
Identify a wide range of heritage resource protection methods and ways to use them in address specific issues.
- Designate assets as cultural resources and update land use zoning to prevent inappropriate change to them. Protection should not preclude development but ensure that it only takes place if the design, purpose, scale, materials and landscaping are appropriate to the location.
- Establish a technical clearinghouse of conservation principles and practical advice to empower individual owners and groups to arrest the decay of building fabric and landscape features and plan appropriate repair strategies.
Understand that the built environment and cultural heritage can and should influence the design and location of new development. It can also provide a foundation for sound land use planning and contribute to the local economy.
Develop municipal style guidelines that apply to commercial and residential development in villages, towns and countryside. These guidelines should be based on typical features of the local landscape, for example:
- Defining specific road frontage and preserving roadside walls and trees;
- Providing distinctive site layouts;
- Encouraging new development to include landscaping that retains and complements existing trees and buffers from the road; and
- Includes vernacular details that can enrich new building design.
Establish regular inter-community planning workshops:
- to improve understanding of the planning process and how conservation and protection can be achieved in the context of land-use change;
- to empower people to resist inappropriate change in their communities;
- to facilitate meetings, discuss specific issues and develop mutually acceptable solutions;
- to create a conflict resolution process that encourages the various parties to share information and opens communication.
Enhancing existing settlements, whenever possible, rather than building new ones. For new settlements, locate them in a place that is linked to the immediate community and to adjoining places. New settlements should not compromise or destroy the region’s natural and built heritage.
Create functional buildings that have as much integrity and value as architecturally grand ones.
Use local regulations to get owners to secure vacant properties.
Set up a community security project to keep an eye on vacant buildings and monitor their conditions. Work with owners to board up ground floor windows of empty buildings, using panels painted with indoor scenes.
Replace old or vanished roadside trees and restore roadside walls, starting with key areas such as community gateways and scenic roads.
Develop a road design guide to ensure that road improvements respect local character.
Establish the Northern Dutchess Agenda to develop a safety audit of all access points along the Taconic Parkway and identify and resolve any problems and concerns.
Communicate with other municipalities along the Taconic Parkway to identify and understand their concerns. Learn from them, share with them, and explore whether they want to join in developing a holistic multi-municipality approach to solving local issues.
Discuss revenue allocations for road maintenance and consider the cost to the local economy of allowing commercial transportation to travel on local roads.

Agriculture

Issues:

How do we promote agriculture as a significant contributor to the region’s economy and the preservation of open space?
How do we cover the cost of agriculture and open space preservation?

Observations:

Historically, Dutchess County was a major agricultural region and is often referred to as “the bread basket of the Revolution.” In 1880, agriculture accounted for 95% of the land use in the County. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, grain agriculture moved to the sod prairies of the Midwest and the region reinvented itself as a major vegetable and fruit-producing region. By 1995, the percent of land allocated to farming had fallen to 20%.

From a purely economic perspective, agriculture in the area faces a number of challenges including:

finding new farmers and labor to support farming;
coping with the disappearance of traditional commodity agriculture;
explaining agriculture to the increasing non-agriculture community;
addressing the issue of the increasing demand for residential development; and
dealing with the economic impact of escalating property taxes.

Currently, the average age of farmers in the region is 58. Labor is scarce in the region, which had a 1999 county unemployment rate of 3.4%. This is particularly critical in the fruit industry, which has a high demand for low-paid seasonal labor. Competing markets and low wage rates also inhibit the younger people from going into agriculture.

Agriculture is no longer the economic force that it once was in the County. A significant amount of agricultural land has been lost to development and the residual is mostly covered with secondary growth woodlands. Agriculture is estimated to contribute roughly $12 million in total product sales with an overall economic benefit to the area of more than $33 million annually. Proportionally, its direct contribution to the economy must be viewed as small. Despite this fact, there is a perception that the County is still an agricultural region. Commercial dairy agriculture, for instance, has virtually disappeared from the area with only six dairy farms remaining in operation, some of which have dubious levels of profitability.

Even though traditional farming has significantly diminished, there are still some farmers who have managed to “buck the trend” and survive. These farmers have identified niche markets such as breeding pedigree stock and thoroughbreds, or specialty flowers and wine production. Produce is either sold directly to customers (in the form of pick-your-own fruit, vegetables or Christmas trees), or is processed with value added at the source (e.g. apple cider and wine). Farmers’ markets are an innovative way for the agricultural community to reach out to the general public. The markets have enjoyed a renaissance in the area, and a number have been formed over the past few years.

Some farmers have also diversified their source of household income so that they are no longer totally dependent upon agriculture.

A number of initiatives have also been launched over the past few years to identify and support economic development strategies that will make agriculture more profitable and keep Dutchess County farms operating. These initiatives were initiated or coordinated by Dutchess County agencies and organizations including the Dutchess County Soil and Water Board, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation and the Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency. They are covered in greater detail in the Dutchess County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Plan, a very comprehensive document that provides numerous examples of “best practices.”

With the loss of farmland to residential development, farmers find themselves increasingly surrounded by nonagricultural neighbors who do not understand farming. The farmers that have diversified into more visitor-oriented activities such as farm shops and farm attractions are often told that what they are doing is “not real agriculture.” Farmers also feel that they are not understood and are ignored, and that the needs of agriculture are minimized by elected officials. In a trend that is replicated across the developed world, they feel the impact of consumers and communities being increasingly disconnected from the source and providers of their food.

The strategic location of the Northern Dutchess area with its proximity to New York City, good rail connections, and desirable rural real estate market has generated an increased pressure to develop land residentially. Land prices have risen accordingly. When residential and commercial land carries a commodity value several thousand times that of farmland, the pressure to sell to developers becomes very strong.

The American tradition of raising municipal and school revenue through property taxes puts further pressure on the farmers of the North Dutchess area. Although there is a program of tax relief for farmland, this does not seem to be working. Farmers in Dutchess County are paying three times the amount of property taxes paid by farmers in the rest of New York State, which in turn has the highest per acre property tax of any agricultural state in the nation.

Aside from the economics of the region, agriculture and forestry are major contributors to the local environment through their role in preserving the historical landscape of the region. As such, they contribute greatly to the area’s attractiveness for tourism, which now constitutes a major component of the local economy.

The amount of woodlands in the area has been increasing due to abandonment of agricultural land. Woodlands play an important part in preserving the environmental quality of the region. Woodland growth also has an impact on the landscape of the area, and can impact the “viewsheds.” Much of the forests in Dutchess are under-managed however. There are many cases of single age plots of limited diversity; saplings are threatened by the growing deer population; and low average periods of ownership of land (7 years) compromise the ability to take the long-term perspective that is needed to manage woodlands. In contrast, in Europe, woodlands are managed for the very long term (sometimes centuries) under the assumption that a newly planted wood will not yield any profits for several decades.

In summary, agriculture generates significant public good by managing open spaces and producing environmental, conservation, heritage and broader economic benefits. Farmers, however, do not receive any payment for those benefits. In fact, by contributing to the attractiveness of the region, agriculture has actually played a part in the increased property taxes burden now threatening farmers in the Northern Dutchess area. At a time when agriculture is facing such difficulties, there is a need to develop innovative ways of remunerating farmers for their contribution to the environment. Recognizing the contribution that farming makes to the environment through the use of grants or increased tax rebates can be very effective tools for environmental management.

Recommendations

Concentrate on increasing profitability through adding value to produce. This practice has already begun in the area and should be pursued.
Regional branding should be aggressively promoted, for example, by vigorously pursuing initiatives to use the logo “Hudson Valley Harvest: Produced in Dutchess County, New York.” This approach has been adopted with success in Europe, where a significant proportion of producers have started to develop regionally distinctive brands (such as “Taste of the West,” or “Taste of Scotland” in the UK), or quality labels (such as the “Label Rouge” in France). This can be done by encouraging the development of quality produce and promoting it through advertising so that, in time, “Produced in Dutchess County” will become synonymous with quality.
Build a wider regional identity by marketing a regional brand rather than a local brand (i.e. focusing on the Hudson Valley rather than on Dutchess County). This will provide exposure to the broader regional market. In all of this, it is essential in building customer loyalty to have a well-defined strategy that focuses on quality.
Processing is another way of adding value at the source. With irregular patterns of customer visits to pick-your-owns (typically over the weekend), produce can often go to waste. Producers of fruit and vegetables can minimize this waste and simultaneously benefit from a “captive” customer base by processing fresh produce at the source. Processing and marketing of quality local produce, or perhaps even dairy and meats, can contribute to improving the image of the Hudson Valley/Dutchess County agriculture. Hudson Valley Foodworks, which is based in Poughkeepsie, opened in 1997 to provide local food processors with shared facilities and reduced overhead. NDA could encourage links with organizations such as the Culinary Institute of America to develop new products.
Develop a comprehensive strategy to market locally processed products and fresh produce in local shops and at farmers’ markets where tourists can buy them. This can strengthen the image of “Produced in Dutchess County.” In time, this can lead to wider market penetration of products and development of brand loyalty. Experience in Europe demonstrates that many consumers are willing to pay more for quality produce.
Invest in organic agriculture. Organic agriculture is rapidly moving from its “niche” status to mainstream agriculture yet hardly any farmers in the NDA area farm organically. The relative affluence of the NDA area and its proximity to the New York City market, suggest that there would be a strong market for organic produce.
Promote an expanded Purchase of Development Rights program (PDR). Once the ability of the land to be developed is removed, the price of the land should reflect only its agricultural value. Farmers should be better informed about the opportunity for selling or donating their development rights and the impact that this can have on property value and future use of the land. Assessors should be educated about these programs and encouraged to adjust land assessments accordingly.
Funding should be made available for Purchase of Development Rights through an expansion of the use of State, County and Federal programs. This can be supplemented by promoting voluntary donations of land, which can potentially benefit from favorable taxation.
Consider other ways to limit development on agricultural land including:
- Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) either within a community and/or county to move development from areas that a community wishes to keep rural (known as sending zone, e.g. farmland), to areas where growth is desired and can be supported (known as the receiving zone, e.g. a village center). This works best in high growth areas. The process can be complex and success is often dependent on a clear identification of “sending and receiving zones” based on the type of public process outlined in the land use section of this report, and a strong streamlined administrative process. Developing a pool of public or nonprofit holding capital is extremely beneficial to the success of TDR programs.
- Transfer of farmlands to a protective trust. A major reason that agricultural property falls to other uses is the loss of an older generation of farmers. Like many small businesses, the use of family trusts for holding and transfer of assets can assist in financial transfer of farm assets. Gifting of assets over a period of time as part of estate planning is also important. The removal of barriers to the transfer of farms to the next generation is critical.
Recognize the contribution that woodlands make to the environment. Tax incentives and grants can also be used to encourage better management of forestlands.
Improve management of the woodlands. This could include a range of initiatives from introducing species and age diversity to the forests, to managing the deer population. For example, woodland owners in the UK have successfully collaborated to form deer management groups that disseminate information on best practices, coordinate deer management, and sometimes share the costs of a technical deer management officer.

Land Use and Appropriate Growth

Issues:

How do we implement smart growth principles in the Northern Dutchess region?
How do we define appropriate growth and where do we locate it?
How do we reinforce viable mixed use development in existing town and village centers and where do we establish new town centers?

Observations

Smart growth principles are based on the concept of sustainability, that is development should enhance economic opportunity and community well-being while protecting natural, historic and cultural resources. Smart growth principles have already been explored in some depth locally by the Hudson River Valley Greenway Communities Council and Dutchess County Planning Department. Their findings are published in the final draft of their document “Greenway Connections.” In this analysis, smart growth principles are defined as those that:

Provide a regional perspective but stress action at the local level;
Encourage priority growth areas that focus development in planned patterns rather than encouraging random sprawl; and
Rely on incentives and guidelines rather than rigid requirements.

Northern Dutchess communities generally seem to accept that change is inevitable throughout the region. They also seem aware that this change will not be uniform, and that individual townships and villages would benefit from up-to-date land use strategies that encourage a broader regional perspective. There are already positive examples of local communities working together to guide development including Wappinger Creek Watershed Planning Committee and the proposed hotel and conference center near the boundary of the Village of Red Hook.

To achieve the principles of smart growth, the Northern Dutchess communities must overcome several hurdles. The region lacks a cohesive identity and many residents view growth as either all good or all bad. At all levels of government – village, town and county – there is evidence of a disconnect between policy and implementation. The region needs to establish consistent inter-municipal policies and all municipalities must consider the regional impacts of social, political and fiscal proposals on the environment.

Additionally, smart growth is difficult to achieve when the municipal land use system encourages insularity and the property ownership system encourages self-interest. A climate of mistrust is created by a lack of transparency in public forums and governance (including closed meetings, difficulty of gaining access to minutes, and non-accountability in decision-making) and a lack of continuity of leadership. It has been noted that 20-30% of land use decision-makers are replaced each year in Dutchess County. In addition, volunteer decision-makers have expressed the need for better training and sharing of professional expertise.

Smart growth often encourages mixed-use development, in the form of village and town centers, to increase the vitality and viability of those areas. Siting a food store, for example, as close as is practical to the downtown area will attract other retail outlets by ensuring that there is a critical mass of shoppers in the area. Economic diversity creates interest and spreads the risk of failure in any one sector.

There are some communities in Northern Dutchess that do not have town centers. Zoning, governmental structure and taxation appear to promote sprawl and development patterns that residents do not want. Many municipal ordinances are difficult for developers to understand, requiring them to return repeatedly to the Planning Board for clarification before submitting amended plans for approval. This process does not encourage innovative design and development.

Recommendations

Foster a regional identity by encouraging communities to work together to identify common resources, opportunities and threats.
Build on successes such as the Wappinger Creek Watershed Planning Committee and use them as examples of good practice.
Educate community leaders about smart growth by sponsoring a series of facilitated visioning workshops and public meetings.
Encourage communities to produce their own village and township design guides.
Base zoning reviews on the results of community visioning, aquifer protection, open space protection, etc.
Target existing techniques such as the Transfer of Development Rights, the Purchase of Development Rights and clustering to achieve the aims of the community vision.
Encourage citizens to become more involved in planning issues, by organizing more public meetings and workshops, and holding these at convenient times for the target audience to attend. Make them fun, interesting events.
Encourage the involvement of underrepresented groups such as high school students, the elderly, those caring for long term sick relatives and migrant workers.
Set up training courses to help volunteer leaders understand the complexities of planning issues.
Develop user-friendly guidelines that demystify regulations by using plain language to explain to developers and the public exactly what the zoning code is trying to achieve. Also, include descriptions of any specific elements such as materials, size, siting, access and internal circulation of vehicles.
Be proactive about development rather than reactive by establishing “shovel ready” sites where all the regulatory and fiscal requirements for a proposed development are established and ready for an appropriate developer.
Towns and villages should work together to draft complementary zoning ordinances that promote growth in village centers and protect the gateways to the villages and the countryside between them. Given the present tax structure this idea may require thought on revenue sharing to promote equity between communities and facilitate development on the most appropriate sites.
Consider the impact of any new town center on natural resources, cultural heritage, transportation, infrastructure, neighboring towns and villages and finances.
Plan regionally for transportation issues and consider the impact of new development proposals. Issues that would benefit from a regional perspective include:
- Dealing with the Metro North “threat;”
- Bringing freight transportation back to the Hudson River; and
- Where to locate new interchanges

Economic Development

Issues:

How do we create a Northern Dutchess economy that satisfies as many needs of the area residents a practical, thus maintaining for each of our towns and villages a sense of community and place while avoiding the sprawl that has enveloped Southern Dutchess County?
By relying on the Internet, business incubators, Foodworks and the charm of the area, can we build a viable economy based on home occupations, small business offices, tourism, agriculture, etc. and thus substantially reduce the need to commute elsewhere? If so, how?
How can the NDA promote the region as a heritage tourism destination and encourage the development of the infrastructure necessary to support a strong tourism industry?
What must we do to recapture the dollars our residents now spend outside of the Northern Dutchess region?

Observations:

Historically the economy of Northern Dutchess was comprised of farming, small-scale mills, and villages, main streets and hamlets containing local professional and service businesses. The Hudson River was a major transportation route, an industrial corridor, as well as the birthplace of the American romantic landscape movement.

This has all changed. Dutchess County is strongly influenced by the internationally important New York City metropolitan market and the region has become a bedroom community. The service and agricultural sectors of the Dutchess economy are precarious and the tourism sector, while growing, seems undersold. The high-tech and telecommunications industries are providing a new dynamic. In the last 50 years there has been a shift from communities dominated by people traveling to the office, to one with a growing number of work-at-home opportunities. Residential and commercial real estate industries appear to be expanding.

There is evidence that the changing corporate and small business economy brings both assets and challenges to local communities. New economic growth brings, not only jobs and regional vitality, but also an increased demand for affordable housing, retail, office and business space and infrastructure improvements. The shortage of labor and resultant rise in wage rates that has impacted the agricultural sector is also a concern for the more cutting edge industries.

Many residents of Northern Dutchess fear that their part of the county and its prized farm landscapes and open spaces will be overdeveloped and lose its character to strip malls and “cookie-cutter” housing. Bedroom development politics are undoubtedly placing great tension between agriculture, main street and tourism economic potentials. The increase in the number of housing and business units being built in the area appears to be aggravating the relationship of real estate taxes to municipal services supplied. In this context, public subsidies appear to have targeted high profile residential and commercial development projects. Older comprehensive plans, zoning laws and volunteer municipal governments may not be sufficient to deal with the complex planning and economic development issues that confront the region.

Today, tourism is the primary industry in Northern Dutchess. There are a multitude of opportunities including passive appreciation of the open and natural landscapes and appreciation of historic/cultural sites; agri-tourism such as farmers’ markets, wineries, “pick-your-own;” and more active recreational opportunities including hiking and bicycle trails, canoeing and kayaking, camping, fishing and hunting.

The significance of the area’s natural and cultural resources, upon which this tourist industry is based, is widely recognized, supported and promoted by a variety of agencies such as the Hudson Valley Tourism Council, Scenic Hudson, Hudson Valley Tourism, Greenway Tourism, Hudson River Heritage and the National Parks Service. On the other hand, the area’s emphasis on tourism has alienated some local residents who feel their personal and community needs are second to tourist needs.

Successful cooperation among the various historic/cultural attractions is evidenced by such special event initiatives as the “Great Estates – Holiday Celebration” sponsored by some of the area’s great estates. There is little evidence, however, that a similar cooperative effort exists for tourist opportunities based on agri-tourism and the more active recreational pursuits.

The availability of lodging is limited in the county. Local tourist accommodation is provided, for the most part, at quaint inns and B&Bs. Larger national hotel and motel chains are located in nearby cities, outside the county. The region is currently promoted as a tourist attraction through a wealth of tourist-related literature such as the New York State sponsored “I LOVE NEW YORK, Dutchess County” campaign as well as that provided by individual villages, towns and specific attractions.

Recommendations:

Develop a high tech communications clearinghouse to link all partners, for instance, through web site”hotlinks.”
Develop a comprehensive and multimedia training program for all municipal officials involved in economic development and land use decision-making.
Create a review process for all developments greater than two housing lots or 2,000 sq. ft. of retail/office space that includes an evaluation of fiscal impact and cost of services. Shared multi-jurisdictional projects need to be flexible enough to allow revenue sharing where appropriate. Develop a one-stop permitting program.
Share the costs of infrastructure development and improvements including water, sewer, electric, gas, telecommunications, state, county and local roads and railroad structures.
Consider working intermunicipally on regional facilities such as conference or trash disposal centers. Share both the fiscal impacts and revenue generation appropriately.
Work cooperatively to promote the “Northern Dutchess Experience” as a multi-day tourist destination. This united approach can also guide the future location of a visitor center and the type of information offered.
Continue to participate in the State’s “I LOVE NEW YORK” promotional campaign and web site as a means of marketing across the country and the world. Additional tourist information could be provided by a specific Northern Dutchess linked web site, perhaps developed by local student volunteers.
Plan proactively to expand the variety of opportunities for the next generation of tourists. There are a variety of recreational opportunities to provide multi-day “Northern Dutchess Experiences” focusing on a combination of active and passive recreation and enjoyment of the region’s natural and cultural resources. Value can be added to the area’s unique attractions such as the Hudson River historic mansions and open spaces that would contribute to making the area more of a destination point. This might include developing a new hotel/conference center (perhaps in one of these historic mansions). Serious consideration should be given to utilizing historic buildings for new tourist uses, as they become available. A good example of this is the Poughkeepsie Asylum on Route 9, which is currently suffering from abandonment, yet would make a charming hotel/conference center.
Educate planners and financial decision-makers on the importance of tourism to the local economy so that they will be supportive of growth through initiatives such as appropriate zoning. Organizations such as the Northern Dutchess Alliance can play an advocacy role in this by being kept informed by local governments on all tourist related planning and development matters. Land use planning and development initiatives must be sensitive and respond to the needs of both residents and tourists.
Design additional tourist accommodations to fit with the existing style of small scale, quaint inns or B&Bs.
Replicate the existing vernacular architectural styles that tourists have come to love and expect in the county.
Promote joining the Greenway and/or following Greenway principles to enable stewards of natural and cultural attractions to better position themselves as recipients of funding from agencies interested in the development and enhancement of tourist related infrastructure. Such agencies include the National Parks Service, New York State government, foundations, institutions and private sources.

The Future of Community Involvement in Northern Dutchess

Issues:

How can the Northern Dutchess Alliance achieve broader involvement of its members in shaping the future of this region?
How can NDA tempt people younger than 40 to participate in the planning for the future of their communities?
How can NDA enlarge the number of volunteers committed to shaping the future of this region?
How can NDA encourage the development of new leaders in Northern Dutchess – a necessity for keeping the region dynamic and bringing fresh ideas to planning for the community?

There is a long history and variety of community involvement and volunteerism in Northern Dutchess, reflecting the large number of municipalities, each with its own local government, commercial, service and social networks, as well as diversity of activities and passions. Community involvement is important not only for the outcomes it produces, but also for the process it encourages that allows people to get to know each other.

While there is a lot of enthusiasm for community involvement in Dutchess County, a number of concerns were voiced about the future of community action including:

the need to expand the small number of active volunteers, particularly younger people to help plan for the future;
the need for more support and management; and
the fragmentation between community organizations.

Getting people to volunteer is not always easy. Sometimes when new people become engaged, the “old guard” becomes reluctant to give up control. New volunteers also need training and support to be productive.

Young people and “weekenders” do not appear to be systematically involved in Dutchess. While the community has made an effort to involve young people through vehicles such as “youth boards,” these initiatives have not been consistently successful. Young people want the opportunity to be involved locally and also desire to work with young people beyond their community.

Community organizations working on similar issues do not always collaborate. For example, people working on issues of traffic management were not aware of others working in neighboring towns on the same issue.

Recommendations

Create and consult a youth council periodically across the full range of issues facing the community organization. Do not limit their involvement to “youth interest” issues.
Reserve one or more slots on each community organization for school students, to be selected by their peers. Give youth representatives a status equal to that of adults.
Local networking organizations include representation from existing youth organizations. Again, ensure that youth representatives have a meaningful role to play in the organization.
Create new opportunities for youth to volunteer and help them develop their skills by seeking their participation in implementation of initiatives where ever possible. For example, a municipality might move forward on one recommendation suggested by their youth to build an Internet café. The youth should participate in identifying appropriate locations and design for the café and might be taught skills to participate in the construction and management of the business.
Actively recruit involvement of “weekenders” by holding some community meetings on the weekend and reaching out to them on voting issues.
Remove barriers to community participation by providing day care or reimbursement for costs incurred to participate in volunteer activities.
Establish a Northern Dutchess Volunteer Clearinghouse that contains information about community service opportunities and a register of those seeking to volunteer.
Break down community projects into smaller tasks to enable people who are new to community volunteering, or have limited time to participate. This may also remove some of the burden of volunteering and enable people with very targeted skills to be matched to appropriate tasks.
Establish a mentoring system for new community volunteers and organizations in order to share knowledge and experience and increase confidence.
Coordinate, inventory, and address volunteer needs within organizations across the community, county and region in order to share resources and opportunities, including training, management, staff and overhead. This will also provide cross-fertilization of ideas.
Explore new ways to train volunteers. Local agencies may be able to help advise on web-based learning packages, and/or help supply home training videos.
Bring community organizations and individuals together to explore and refine their understanding of a variety of topics and develop proactive approaches to resolve important issues. For example, NDA held a land-use discussion day and plans to hold another on roads and traffic management. These forums should become a regular part of NDA’s programming.
Celebrate and recognize the work of volunteers. Identify a business or foundation to sponsor a volunteer of the year/town/interest award. Give prizes, for example, in the form of a donation to the organization(s) where s/he volunteers. This would attract media interest in volunteering, highlighting the work of voluntary organizations, and develop private sector support for the voluntary sector. This type of initiative operates successfully in Toronto and is known as the “Neighborlies Awards.”

Role of the NDA

The Northern Dutchess Alliance (NDA) was formed in 1996 and formally incorporated in 1999 as a coalition of business, government, nonprofit and community organizations. It draws its support from a ten-town region and focuses on regional planning issues of balanced growth, economic development and community preservation. A growing understanding and appreciation of the need to consider a much larger regional context, suggests that the NDA might benefit from taking a moment to reflect on what it has already achieved, to reevaluate its purpose and mandate, and to reconsider its geographic area of interest.

A key question for NDA, as an organization that brings other organizations together, will be to decide on the nature of participation – a question of “membership” v.s. “partnership.” The concept of membership and “joining” an organization implies that certain groups are in and others are out. It may be more useful for the NDA to consider and market itself as an alliance or partnership of a variety of interests united to address common goals and issues. While this may seem a subtle difference, it may provide more flexibility for organizations to come together on certain issues without feeling that they are signing on to the entire range of issues or projects that NDA is dealing with at a particular time.

NDA must also decide whether to encourage other towns and villages in Dutchess County to join their organization. Many communities in the eastern part of northern Dutchess County seem to be facing similar issues as those in the western part. It may be appropriate to reach out to these communities in order to remove the historic separation between east and west in Dutchess County. Increasing the number of municipalities represented may prove beneficial for the NDA by giving it greater leverage. It can also increase tension between member organizations and extend the reach of the NDA too far at this stage.

The Northern Dutchess Alliance has an impressive list of achievements and can position itself for even further accomplishments in the future. It will likely build on its existing experience and develop new activities including:

Enabling dialogue within and between communities and between organizations;
Raising awareness of issues (e.g. by hosting a seminar on roads and traffic management);
Acting as a regional resource and clearinghouse for information;
Building bridges between communities within Northern Dutchess, to other geographic areas (across the river and state) and reaching out to other groups (such as Scenic Hudson or the Greenways Compact);
Encouraging greater cooperation through widespread use of facilitation techniques;
Developing a facilitation bureau for communities; and
Coordinating events or activities as a way to celebrate successes and reach out to the broader community.

However, the most important step for the NDA to take is to develop a strategic plan that identifies a concise mission for the organization and addresses the issues of membership and geographic scope identified above. This will not only help organize the Alliance, but will enable it to reach out to the broader community with a clear, consistent message.

NDA should develop a strategic plan that:

Identifies the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats;
Articulates its mission and the goals of the organization;
Establishes a long-term vision for NDA (5-10 year plan);
Creates an action oriented agenda;
Breaks down goals into short, medium and longer term objectives;
Identifies potential resources and an action strategy to obtain funding; and
Produces an annual plan with responsibilities and outcomes.

Strategic planning takes time and resources. However, until members clearly understand the role of the NDA, there will be uncertainty as to how they can contribute to achieving shared goals.

Conclusion

Observations: Cross Cutting Issues

The issues of natural and cultural heritage, agriculture, land use and acceptable growth, economic development, tourism, community involvement and the role of the Northern Dutchess Alliance are tied together by a number of cross cutting issues discussed below. These observations emphasize the need for establishing strong links across the county – linking landscape features with zoning regulations, and linking people with each other and with the land. Making these connections will create the strong identity in the Northern Dutchess area that is critical to successful regional planning.

People and place

The people within the Northern Dutchess communities have a passionate attachment to the natural and cultural heritage of the area. There is a strong sense of place in the area, which is linked to its unique historical character. There is also a strong desire to protect the character of the countryside and to preserve and restore the many historic sites in the area.

Reactive nature of processes & community involvement

Many of the actions that have been carried out by NDA communities have been largely reactive in nature including issues such as fear of sprawl, opposition to “big box” or “cookie-cutter” development, or opposition to the expansion of commuter rails. On a positive note, organizing around an issue or crisis often brings people or groups together that would not otherwise communicate and can plant the seed for future collaboration. NDA communities must become proactive and take charge of the future.

Planning

All of the issues identified as critical to Northern Dutchess are in some way involved with planning, zoning and taxation. Planning and zoning regulations have an impact on the fabric of the area, and thus affect economic development, the natural and cultural heritage, land use, agriculture and tourism. In addition, because volunteers and elected officials sit on town planning boards, community involvement and planning are also intertwined.

Communities reaching out

There seems to be a strong awareness throughout the county of the need for communities to reach out to one another. Municipal and volunteer groups also seem to recognize the limitations of having too narrow a geographic focus. They accept the need to reach out geographically, across municipality boundaries, across county boundaries and even across the river.

There are many positive examples of inter-municipal cooperation and innovative projects within the NDA region that can act as models for cooperation. These clearly demonstrate the willingness of the various groups (whether municipal or voluntary) to engage in dialogue and to build partnerships. For example:

Communities within the Wappinger Creek watershed are working together to create a watershed management plan.
Farmers recognize the need to reach out to the community, to environmental groups and to other land users.
The tourism and heritage sector sees the need to involve the local community more, and to reach out to people and places on the other side of the river.

At the same time the team felt that many of these ad hoc coalitions were not necessarily aware of similar projects in neighboring townships, let alone across the whole North Dutchess area. Many also lacked confidence in their own ability to bridge these gaps and introduce solutions. As the list of cooperative projects grows, it is important to spread the word about what is happening in an effort to create a regional identity.

Education

Access to training and information is essential. Community leaders would be more effective if they had access to training and better information about available resources. There are great opportunities for practical and more formal training within and among community members. Resources and organizations willing to help educate do not appear to be the problem.

Facilitation

NDA would benefit from the introduction of nonpartisan facilitation services. The independence of a facilitator is crucial to building trust between parties. The presence of the Exchange team as a facilitator at a range of meetings seemed to help build bridges between communities and/or people who would not/did not ordinarily talk to one another, or who were not aware of each other’s existence. Playing this role was very gratifying for the team and highlighted the importance of encouraging such a process.

Appendix: Some Quotes the Team Gathered from Community Residents

“New York is not New England”

“To give up the struggle is to give up passion.”

“We are like a dog chasing its tail”

“We are still small town people”

“We need to make people aware that open spaces are a part of their future”

“This area is blessed with natural and historical resources.”

“We have to fight for the right to farm”

“They say a long-term plan is for ten years, I plant blueberries for forty years, apple trees for thirty, a farmer has to plan for longer.”

“New residents think agriculture means four cows inside a fence”

“Dairy farming is completely unprofitable”

“Regular farmers can’t afford to farm in this area”

“This is no longer an agricultural area in the way we’d like to think it is”

“Day users love a farm experience”

“The main point of shearing is to get most of the wool off and leave most of the skin on.”

“Farming is a frontier industry in the face of the suburbs”

“Zoning doesn’t keep the land open, you’ve got to keep the farmers farming out there.”

“The only people who are thinking about the day after tomorrow are the farmers”

“The master plan is the dream but there is no enforcement of the dream”

“Americans like sprawl, they like strip malls”

“Our hamlets are being destroyed by the truck traffic.”

“The American public want to have their cake and eat it”

“This country is all about individuals”

“America is the country of waste”

“The village walked away from the river and it wasn’t until 1991 that people said ‘well, that was dumb’ ”

“We’re very schizophrenic in Northern Dutchess, we want economic development, but we don’t want to pay the price. We don’t want the traffic, the pollution, the congestion that come with it.”

“The chamber can’t object to new business, just get it put in the right place”

“Dutchess County is not being marketed as a destination”

“Tourism here is not sexy”

“Rhinebeck has gone from a town you want to live in to a town you want to visit”

“There is no comprehensive tourist marketing approach”

“Lots of week-enders don’t vote, but it’s a growing constituency.”

“The only time people come out here is to stop something”

“I don’t trust Albany or Poughkeepsie”

“Can we change the basic principles of taxation?”

Quotes that were extracted from the document:

“We need to make people aware that open spaces are a part of their future”

“This area is blessed with natural and historical resources.”

“They say a long-term plan is for ten years. A farmer has to plan for longer. I plant blueberries for forty years and apple trees for thirty. ”

“Zoning doesn’t keep the land open, you’ve got to keep the farmers out there.”

“The only people who are thinking about the day after tomorrow are the farmers”

“There is a lack of trust, suspicion of motive and fear of control.”

“We have no voice, and even if we did, the town board wouldn’t listen to us.”

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