- Preserve the rural nature and beauty of Tompkins County and provide a corresponding investment in human needs.
- Transportation needs to be reviewed to include consideration beyond county boundaries for regional connections.
- New areas of high residential intensity should grow out of current areas now designated as moderate intensity.
- Residential development should be affordable and accessible.
- Accessibility to services, jobs, and job training is crucial; transportation connections must be considered.
- Land use development should follow the location of sewer, water, and other necessary services.
- Promote high intensity development in the City of Ithaca to create activity centers.
- Protect existing watersheds and unique natural areas.

Summary of Discussion

Agriculture and Open Space
The disappearance of farms is a major concern. Economically marginal farms will be consolidated into larger farms. The most viable farms should survive and we should help them survive by protecting valuable farmland. The open space of Tompkins County is a major factor contributing to our quality of life. Viable farms play a key role in preserving open space and therefore should be preserved.

Human Services
Development should provide an appropriate relationship between housing and any projected need for human services to that area. Participants suggested using ratios for land use development: showing the relationship of different types of development (residential, retail, commercial, industrial) to human service needs.

Regional Approach
When planning for the future of Tompkins County, we need to keep in mind the county's relationship to the region. For instance, people from Newfield go to Elmira to shop and people from Groton go to Cortland to shop. Families may travel in different directions for jobs and services. Transportation needs, and the capacity to provide transportation services, should be addressed.

Downtown Ithaca and the Villages and Hamlets
Focus on accommodating future population in the City of Ithaca and in the villages and hamlets. The city should build up first and should expand only where necessary. The cores of the villages, where services are provided, should have more high intensity development.

Job Retention and Creation
The county and city should work on job retention and job creation, and keeping people in the areas where they work and pursue their social activities. This approach will result in economic benefits for both the county and the city.

Keep it Funky
Some people like to live in "funky" places, it fits their lifestyle, so let's take this into consideration in our planning activities.

Efficient Infrastructure
Install infrastructure where it can provide the greatest benefits. Infrastructure should be efficient and cost effective, only put these services where the greatest benefits can occur.

Protect Watersheds
Protect and enhance the watersheds in Tompkins County. We should be especially concerned about point and non-point pollution in the county.

Mapping Details
· High intensity development should continue in the City of Ithaca and the city should become even higher intensity by building "up". Some of the villages should encompass high intensity development.

· The areas with the best agricultural soils should remain as agricultural land.

· The current State Forests, State Parks and county Reforestry Lands should remain protected. In some cases the State Forests and State Parks should be expanded.

· A category for Low Intensity/Forest was added to the future land use map for areas throughout the county. Development of these areas should be limited by large acre zoning.

"Vital Communities Workshop Report, 2000-2001", prepared by TCPD & ITCTC, June 2001