- Preserve open space, agricultural areas, and historic resources.
- Encourage nodal development and limit sprawl.
- Preserve and enhance development corridors.
- The road network and water and sewer utilities should be planned to support desired development patterns.

Summary of Discussion

Preservation
Members of the group agreed that certain features of the natural environment and certain characteristics of the community should be preserved when providing for future growth. Important natural features to preserve are quality agricultural lands, unique natural areas, gorges, Cayuga Lake, wetlands, and state forest lands. Community characteristics that should be preserved are historic buildings; historic uses of land; the quality of life in built areas; and green corridors connecting parks, recreation areas, and community centers.

Development Patterns
The group emphasized the importance of building on existing development. New development should occur in areas that already have infrastructure and other development. The approach is to build in these areas rather than developing in undeveloped areas. Growing in this manner will help to preserve agricultural lands and other open space.

The group agreed that high intensity development should be increased in the urban core of the county (City of Ithaca), building up, rather than out. However, there was some disagreement on the type of building that should occur. Some advocated high rise development (over six stories), others thought that the effect of this type of development would detract from the character of the community.

Moderate intensity development should be encouraged in villages and hamlets. Future development areas should incorporate open space areas interspersed with developed lands. The group termed this approach 'pocket preservation.'

Other future development should occur in nodes along existing and future transportation corridors. These nodes should place a high value on quality of life through design, the provision of amenities, nearby shopping, and open spaces. This approach should be followed to limit sprawl along highways, having high intensity development at nodes and low intensity development between nodes.

Political Will
The group also discussed the importance of political will to support the investments needed to direct future growth into hamlets and villages. These areas need to be provided with water and sewer services to promote increased intensity of development. However, the 'returns' on these investments will take time to be realized. It is difficult for current board members to take on expenses now when the benefits may not be seen during their terms of office.

Mapping Details
· The group agreed on the importance of the limitations imposed on development by the physical characteristics of the land, particularly soil characteristics.

· West Dryden should include agricultural land preservation with some low intensity development.

· Portions of Lansing, particularly the Pyramid Mall area and the airport area should include high intensity development.

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