Draft Comp Plan

TOWNANDVILLAGEOFPARISH
COMPREHENSIVEPLAN
DRAFTFORDISCUSSIONONLY
FEBRUARY,2016
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Introduction...........................................................................................................................
PARTICOMMUNITYPROFILE.............................................................................................
History....................................................................................................................................
Demographics........................................................................................................................
SchoolDistricts.......................................................................................................................
LandUse.................................................................................................................................
PARTIIGOALSANDSTRATEGIES.........................................................................................
VillageRevitalization..............................................................................................................
Transportation.......................................................................................................................
Housing..................................................................................................................................
ParksandRecreation.............................................................................................................
HistoricPreservation..............................................................................................................
RuralCharacter......................................................................................................................
WaterResources....................................................................................................................
EconomicDevelopment.........................................................................................................
Infrastructure.........................................................................................................................
CommunityBuildings.............................................................................................................
PARTIIIDEVELOPMENTPLAN.............................................................................................
APPENDIXAMAPS
APPENDIXBQUESTIONAIRRESUMMARY
APPENDIXCSWOTEXERCISE
APPENDIXDHISTORICANDSIGNIFICANTBUILDINGS,STRUCTURES,ANDSITES
APPENDIXEWHYSAVEFARMLAND?
INTRODUCTION
TheComprehensivePlanningCommittee
TheParishJointPlanningBoard,actingasacomprehensiveplancommittee,beganworkin
2015todevelopanupdatedjointcomprehensiveplanfortheTownandVillageofParish.
The board was charged with studying the community and reporting to the Town and
VillageBoardstheirrecommendationsinacomprehensiveplan.
The last comprehensive plans for the community were adopted in 2001 and 2011.
Previoustothosedocuments,aplanfortheTownwaspreparedintheearly1980s.This
was a multitown plan prepared by the Salmon Rivers Cooperative Planning Board and
ConservationCouncil,andincludedtheTownandVillageofParishaswellastheTownsof
Albion,Amboy,andOrwellandtheVillagesofAltmarandParish.
PurposeOfThePlan
The purpose of the plan is to provide a guide for the physical development of the
town/villageareaforthefuture.Itpreparesforthenewwavesofresidential,commercial
and industrial development that Parish may face as the growth of the Syracuse
MetropolitanAreacontinuestoexpandintotheregion.Theplanwillprovideaframework
for the existing zoning and land subdivision controls. It will also help assure that the
growthoftheareawillbeinconcertwithexistingplansforfuturewater,sewerandroad
development. Finally, it is hoped that other governments (state, county, and other local
governments)willfindtheplanusefulinshapingtheirfuturedevelopmentactivities.Itis
thepurposeofthisplantohelpotherstoplananddevelopinaccordwiththedesiresof
thecitizensofthecommunity.TheauthoritytoundertakesuchaplanisoutlinedinNYS
TownLawSection272AandVillageLawSection7722.
CommunitySurveys
There have been two general community opinion surveys conducted in the town/village
overtheyears.Thefirstinabout1978,andanotherin1992.Abriefquestionnairewas
conducted in 2009 along with a community visioning session. This session examined
communitystrengths,weaknesses,opportunities,andthreats.
PeriodicReviewAndUpdateOfThePlan
It is the recommendation of the Planning Committee that this plan be periodically

reviewedandupdatedbytheTownandVillageBoardseveryfiveyears.Afiveyearreview
willrefreshtheTownandVillageBoardsperspectivesonthelongerrangeissuesaffecting
Parish, and help to reinforce the link between daytoday development decisions and
longerrangeTownandVillagepolicies.Inaddition,aperiodicupdatewillkeeptheplan
current with the everchanging conditions of the town and village without the need for
largescaleplanningefforts.
TheOrganizationOfThisDocument
Thisdocumentisorganizedintothefollowingparts:
PartI.CommunityProfile
This section presents a compilation of relevant facts about the physical makeup of the
town/village,alongwithotherfactsandtrendsthatbearadirectrelationshiponitsfuture
physical development. This is the basic set of underlying facts by which the plan was
prepared.
PartII.GoalsandStrategies
This section presents the community goals which reflect the general desires for the
directioninwhichthecitizensofthetown/villagewishtogo,baseduponpublicmeetings
andacommunityvisioningsession.
PartIII.DevelopmentPlan
Thisappendixiscomposedofablueprintforthephysicaldevelopmentofthetown/village
based upon implementing the goals of Part II. This includes a description of how the
town/villageshoulddevelopforthenextfewdecades,aswellasamapdetailingseveral
identifieddevelopmentcharacterareas.
PARTI.COMMUNITYPROFILE
GeneralBackground
The Town of Parish is presently defined by New York State law as a second class town
(populationunder10,000).ItwasestablishedonMarch20,1828,beingformerlyapartof
theTownofMexico.TheTownisnamedafterDavidParish,alandproprietorandearly
landowner.
The town is located in central Oswego County, in Central New York State. It is
approximatelyeightmilessoutheastofLakeOntario,24milesnorthofCityofSyracuse,15
mileseastofOswego,30milesnorthwestofRome,and50mileswestoftheAdirondack
Mountains.TheTownisapproximately25,000acres.Parishisborderedonthenorthby
the Town of Albion; on the east by the Town of Amboy; on the west by the Town of
Mexico;andonthesouthbytheTownsofHastingsandWestMonroe.
TheVillageofParish,incorporatedin1883,isinthesouthwesternpartofthetown.
TheintersectionofMainSt.andRailroadSt.intheVillage1913
HISTORY
EarlySettlement
AlthoughnopermanentNativeAmericansettlementswerelocatedwithintheTownof
Parish,theareawaspartofthehuntinggroundsoftheOneidaNationoftheIroquois
Confederacy. Permanent settlement in Parish began with the arrival of families from
NewEnglandinsearchofarableland.Rev.GamalielBarnesandhissoninlawStephen
D. Morse settled on lot 60 in the extreme southwest corner of the Town in 1803.
Barnes,aBaptistministerwholivedtobe96,builtthefirstlogcabin,thefirstbarn,and
the first frame dwelling in Parish. David Parish, after whom the town was named,
acquired most of the Towns land (then known as Survey Township #23 of the Scriba
Patent)fromGeorgeScribain1822.Previouslyin1805,Scribasoldlessertractsinthe
northeast corner of the Town to Richard Stockton and Joseph Bloomfield. The
communitygrewsteadilywiththeexceptionoftheperiodbetween1810and1820due
totheWarof1812andtheclimatichardshipsof1816,knownasthetheyearwithouta
summer.EphraimE.Fordopenedthefirststorein1829,and,inthesameyear,Isam
Simonsbuiltthefirsttavern.
Economy
Inthefirsthalfofthe19thcentury,lumberingprovidedmostofthesettlersincome.By
1867 eleven saw mills and four shingle mills were located on the North and South
Branches of the Little Salmon River. Barrel manufacturing for the Syracuse salt trade
was an important sideline of the lumber industry. Prominent local businesses
establishedinthe19thcenturythatremaintodayaretheHarterFuneralHomeandthe
F.E. Miller & Sons Lumber Company. About 1865, dairying superseded the lumber
industry in importance. Farmers built large barns and a multitude of outbuildings.
Several cheese factories also were established. By 1917, Parish contained more than
200farms.
Inthe20thcentury,naturalresourcebasedindustryhasbeenprimarilyreplacedbythe
service industry sector of restaurants, convenience stores, auto repair operations and
smallretailshops.Fewerthanfivefarmsremaintoday.Mostfarmlandhasrevertedto
woodlandorhasbeensubdividedintoresidentialbuildinglots.
Transportation
In 1793, George Scriba hired Benjamin Wright to survey a road from Constantia on
Oneida Lake to Mexico Point on Lake Ontario. The road followed an already existing
Native American trail and cut through the southwest corner of Parish to intersect the
mainnorthsouthtrailatwhatistodayColosse.Partsofthisroadarestillusedtodayin
Parish,asWardDrive,DeanDrive,PerryDriveandHarringtonDrive.Parishsmajoreast
west road, State Route 69, also follows a former trail from Rome to Mexico and was
completedaround1800.In187071,theSyracuseNorthernRailroadwasbuiltthrough
Town. Today the tracks are operated by CSX. In 1961, Interstate 81 was opened
providing for rapid transit to Syracuse, Watertown and points beyond, allowing many
metropolitancommuterstosettleinParish.
Institutions
Parish has always supported several churches. The Methodists established a

congregationin1869andtodayschurchdatesfrom1901.ThePresbyterianChurchwas
builtin1893.TheFaithChurchoftheNazarenedatesfrom1980.St.AnnesCatholic
Church,formerlyanOddFellowsHallandamovietheater,servedthecommunityfrom
1952until2006.
Thefirstframeschoolwasbuiltonsmalllot60in1814.In1882theParishUnionFree
SchoolandAcademywasorganized.By1895,thetowncontainedthirteenoneroom
schooldistricts.ParishHighSchoolconsolidatedwiththoseofAltmarandWilliamstown
in the early 1950s to form AltmarParishWilliamstown Central (APW). The town
currently contains three schools, the APW Elementary, Middle and High Schools on
CountyRoute22,justsouthoftheAlbiontownline.ParishElementaryonUnionStreet
in the Village closed in 2012 and the building is now occupied by the Biospherix, a
biomedicalfirmthatproducescellincubationandprocessingsystems.
SeveralcommercialandpublicareasproviderecreationalactivitiesintheTown.These
includetheWilliamE.MerrillCommunityPark,anOswegoCountyReforestationArea,
the Happy Valley State Wildlife Management Area (shared with Albion, Amboy and
Williamstown), the East Coast Resorts Campground, and the Harmony Riders
AssociationCampground.Thesesitesprovidehunting,fishing,campingandplayground
opportunities among others. In the early 20th century, two generous benefactors,
Samuel E. Mills and Nathan A. Petrie donated several public structures to the Village,
including the Village Park in 1911, the chapelat Pleasant Lawn Cemetery in 1917, the
publiclibraryin1923,thevillageclockin1923andthepublicgymnasiumin1925.
PresentandFutureSettlement
TodayParishischaracterizedasabedroomcommunitywithmanycommuterstraveling
to Syracuse, Watertown, Oswego or Rome. While the population of the Town has
grownduringthelate20thcentury,theVillagehaslostpopulation.Parishmuststriveto
integrate new development, historic preservation and the provision of public services
withthepreservationofnaturalandculturalresourcesasitentersthe21stcentury.

DowntownParishinthelate1860s
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
According the 2010 census the population of the Village of Parish was 450 and the
populationofthetownoutsidethevillagewas2,108(foracombinedtotalof2,558).The
populationofthecombinedtownandvillageofParishdropped5.3%between2000and
2010.Whilethismarkedthefirstdeclineindecades,thetotalpopulationremainedabove
1990 levels. Individually, the village dropped 13.8% and the town outside the village
dropped3.5%.
Table1.DistributionofPopulation
1990
2000
2010
TownofParishincludingVillage
TownofParishOutsideofVillage
ParishVillage
2,425
1,952
473
2,694
2,182
512
2,558
2,108
450
#
Change
136
74
62
%
Change
5.3
3.5
13.8
Source:U.S.DecennialCensusSummaryFile1
Figure2.TownandVillagePopulationRatio
HouseholdSize
Householdsizeinthevillageandtownoutsidethevillagecontinuedtoshrink,asisthe
case with most communities in the United States. This is due to smaller family sizes.
According to the Census, the average household size in the village was 2.5 and the
averagehouseholdsizeinthetownoutsidethevillagewas2.62.Theloweraveragein
thevillageislikelyduetothepresenceofapartmenttypedwellingsthere.Theaverages
forthevillageandtownaresimilartoOswegoCountysaverageof2.52.
Table4.HouseholdSize
ParishTown
(outsideVillage)
ParishVillage
OswegoCounty
#
Households
1990
639
Average
#
Household Households
Size
2000
3.05
764
168
42,434
2.82
2.76
191
45,522
Average
#
Household Households
Size
2010
2.86
976
2.68
2.60
Average
Household
Size
2.62
180
46,000
Age
Another national trend that is seen in Parish is the aging of the general population. A
comparisonofagegroupsegmentpopulationsbetween2000and2010showsthateach
10yearagegroupfrom04to3544hasdeclinedwhileeachagegroupbetween4554and
85+hasincreased(seeFigure5).Duringthattimeperiod,themedianageincreasedfrom
35.2to41.
Figure5.AgeDistribution
2.50
2.52

Income
Medianhouseholdincome,asreportedinthe2010Censuswas$46,200.Thisfigurewas
slightlyhigherthanthemhiforOswegoCountyasawhole,andsubstantiallylowerthan
New York State as whole. The percent of the population living below poverty level
decreased18.9%inParishbetween2000and2010.At10.3%,itwaslowerthanthatof
OswegoCountyasawholeandNewYorkState.
Table6.MedianHouseholdIncome
ParishT&V
OswegoCounty
NYS
2010
46,200
45,333
55,603
Source:AmericanCommunitySurvey
Table7.PercentofPopulationBelowthePovertyLevel
2000
2010
Parish(T&V)
OswegoCounty
NYS
12.7
13.5
14.2
10.3
15.3
14.2
Percentage
change
18.9
+13.3
0.0
EducationalAttainment
Accordingtothe2010Census,thepercentageofParishresidents(25yearsandolder)with
a high school diploma is on par with that of Oswego County and New York State The
percentage of residents with bachelors degrees is similar to that of the County, but
considerablelowerthanthatoftheStateasawhole.
Table8.EducationalAttainment
ParishT&V
OswegoCounty
NYS
%
H.S.
Diploma
84.9
86.3
84.4
%
Bachelors
Degree
13.2
15.7
32.1

Employment
In2010,thetopfiveemploymentcategoriesforresidentsofParishwere1)construction,2)
transportation/warehousing/utilities,3)manufacturing,4)retail,and5)
education/health/socialservices.Nocategorywastrulydominant.In2000,thetopthree
categorieswere1)retail,2)construction,and3)manufacturing.
Whenclass(orsector)ofworkersiscompared,privatesectoremployeesmakeupabout
threequartersoftheParishworkforce,followedbypublicsectoremployees(17.8%)and
selfemployedworkers(5.2%).
Table9.ParishEmploymentbyIndustry2010
Industry
Total Percentage
Construction
162
15.7
Transportation/warehousing/utilities
146
14.1
Manufacturing,nondurablegoods
143
13.9
Retail
141
13.7
Education/health/socialservices
135
13.1
Professional
77
7.5
Finance,insurance,andrealestate
74
7.2
Arts/Entertainment/Recreation
49
4.7
Publicadministration
45
4.4
Agriculture,forestryandfisheries
26
2.5
Wholesale
20
1.9
Otherprofessionalandrelatedservices
8
0.8
Information
6
0.6
Table10.EmploymentbyClassofWorker
ClassofWorker
Privatewageandsalaryworkers
Governmentworkers
Selfemployedworkers
Unpaidfamilyworkers
10
Total
794
184
54
0
Percentage
76.9
17.8
5.2
0

TransportationToWork
Table12illustratesthemeansoftransportationtoworkoftownandvillageresidents.
86.9%ofallworkersreporteddrivingalonetoworkin2010,asopposedto9.6% who
carpooled.Thesefigureswereverysimilarin2000and1990.Themeanreportedtravel
timetoworkwas32.2minutes.
Table12.MeansofTransportationtoWork
MeansofTraveltoWork AllTown/Village Percentage
Residents
DroveAlone
833
86.9
Carpooled
92
9.6
WorkedatHome
28
2.9
Walked
6
0.6
PublicTransportation
0
0.0
SchoolDistricts
The Town of Parish is served by three school districts: AltmarParishWilliamstown

(approx.70%oftheTown),CentralSquare(approx.20%)andMexico(approx.5%).
AltmarParishWilliamstownCentralSchoolDistrictoperatesone
elementary/middle/highschoolcomplexintheTownParish(AltmarParish
Williamstown).Totaldistrictenrollmentwas1,310in2012/13.
Central Square School District operates four elementary schools (Brewerton, Central
Square,AuraA.Cole(Constantia)andHastingsMallory);onemiddleschool(MillardW.
HawkJr.HighSchool(CentralSquare))andonehighschool(PaulV.MooreHighSchool
(CentralSquare)).Totaldistrictenrollmentwas4,156in2012/13.
MexicoSchoolsoperatesthreeelementaryschools(Mexico,NewHavenandPalermo);
one middle school (Mexico) and one high school (Mexico Academy). Total district
enrollmentwas2,130in2012/13.
LandUse
The majority of the 1,466 tax parcels in the Town and Village of Parish in 2014 were
assessedasresidential(63%)orvacant(26%).Acomparisontolandusebreakdownsin
2007 shows that the categories of vacant, commercial, industrial, public service, and
11
forestgrewwhilethecategoriesofagriculture,residential,recreation,andcommunity
servicedeclined.
Figure13.20072014taxparcels
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
Source:NYSOfficeofRealPropertyTaxServices
PropertyTaxes
In2012,townoutsidevillagepropertyownerspaid$30.80per$1,000assessedvaluein
property taxes (this includes county, town, and school taxes). Figure 14 shows the
breakdownbetweentherecipientsofthosetaxdollars.Themedianmilrate(ordollars
paidintaxesper$1,000assessedvalue)forallOswegoCountytownswas$34.54.
Villagepropertiesownerspaid$37.36per$1,000assessedvaluein2012(thisincludes
county,town,village,andschooltaxes).Figure15showstherecipientsofthosedollars.
ThemedianmilrateforallOswegoCountyvillageswas$34.37.
12

Figure14.2012TaxRatesforTownOutsideVillageResidents
Figure15.2012TaxRatesforVillageResidents
13
14
PARTIIGOALSANDSTRATEGIES
Thissectionofthecomprehensiveplanpresentsissues,goals,andstrategiesthataddress
ten topical areas village revitalization, transportation, housing, parks and recreation,
historic preservation, rural character, natural resources, economic development,
infrastructure, and community facilities. It is intended that responsibility for pursuing
these strategies will be that of various town and village groups, including the town and
village boards, the planning board, the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC), ad hoc
committees and community volunteers. It is highly recommended that the community
prioritizeeachstrategy,decidehoweachstrategywillbeimplemented,anddetermine
whichelementofgovernmentwillberesponsible.
VILLAGEREVITALIZATION
TheVillageofParish,likemostcommunitiesinNewYorkState,hasadowntownthatis
in need of improvement. Some of the reasons for the decline of these areas include:
excessive costs of maintenance, the need for offstreet parking in an autooriented
culture, property tax assessment that penalizes building maintenance and the trend
towardbigboxandchainretailshopping.
According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the need to revitalize
downtown commercial districts is clear. A healthy, viable downtown is crucial to the
heritage,economichealthandcivicprideoftheentirecommunityforseveralreasons.
A healthy downtown retains and creates jobs. A healthy downtown also means a
stronger tax base; longterm revitalization establishes capable businesses that use
public services and provide tax revenues for the community. A revitalized downtown
increasesthecommunitysoptionsforgoodsandservices,whetherforbasicstapleslike
clothing,foodandprofessionalservicesorforlesstraditionalfunctionssuchashousing
orentertainment.Finally,revitalizeddowntownsaresymbolsofcommunitycaringand
a high quality of life, factors that influence corporate decisions to locate to a
community.
A downtown improvement plan was completed for Parish in 2001. The plan included
streetscape and parking improvements and faade renovation plans for a number of
buildings in the downtown core. These improvements, along with updated zoning
standardswillgoalongwayinimprovingandpreservingthephysicalappearanceand
functionofthevillage.
VillageEvents
A number of special events are held in Parish throughout the year. These include a
CommunityGarageSale,anOldeHomeDays,aHalloweenParade,andaHolidayTree
15
Lighting.TheseeventscreateasenseofcommunityinParishandbringinvisitorsfrom
outlyingareasaswell.
GOALA:REVITALIZEANDENHANCETHEVILLAGE.
STRATEGIES:
Encouragecontextsensitivedevelopment(buildingsize,massing,placement)
throughdesignstandardsinvillagezoninglaw.
Preservetheestablishededges/developmentboundariesofthevillage.
Allowhigherhousingdensityinthevillageandrestrictoverallhousingdensity
inthetown.
Implementthedowntownimprovementplanaddressingstreettrees,signage,
sidewalks,parking,faades,commercialinfillpotential,andwalkabilty.
Restrictdevelopmenttoappropriateusesofappropriatescale.
Concentratetownandvillageservicesandfacilitiesinthevillagecore.
RestrictdevelopmentnearInterstate81toappropriatelanduses(thosethat
requireeasyaccessto81andthosethatwouldbeincompatibleinthevillage
core)andutilizedesignguidelinesfortheseuses.
16
TRANSPORTATION
Asafeandefficienttransportationnetworkisoneofthemostimportantservicesa
governmentcanprovide.Thesystemshouldaccommodatenotonlymotorvehicles,but
pedestriansandbikesaswell.
Roads
Parish is serviced by approximately 82.6 miles of public roads. Of this total,

approximately17miles(21%)areunderstatejurisdiction,approx.20.1miles(24%)are
under county jurisdiction and approx. 45.5 miles (55%) are under local jurisdiction.
Interstate 81 runs north and south through the western portion of the town and
includestwoexitsoneatRt.69andoneatRt.104.OthermajorroadsincludeRoute
104, which runs from Niagara Falls to Williamstown, and Route 69, which connects
Mexico to Utica. The map below illustrates the functional classification of roads in
Parishandthesurroundingtowns.
ThemosttravelledsegmentofroadinParish(withtheexceptionofRt.81)isRoute69,
betweenRoute81andtheAmboytownline.Averagedailytraffictherewasmeasured
at2,737in2013.
Figure16.FunctionalClassificationofRoadsIntheParishArea
Source:NYSDepartmentofTransportation
17

Table17.AverageAnnualDailyTrafficforSelectedRoads
Road
CheeseFactoryRd.
CountyRt.26
CountyRt.26
CountyRt.26
CountyRt.38
RailroadSt.
StateRoute69
StateRoute69
StateRoute69
StateRoute104
From
SR69
AmboyTL
CheeseFactoryRd.
RedMillRd.
ParishTL
Rt.69
MexicoTL
Rt.69A
RT81
RT81
To
AADT
CR26
615
CheeseFactoryRd.
326
RedMillRd.
683
SR69
1389
SR104
360
ParishTL
990
Rt.69A
2265
Rt.81
4062
AmboyTL
2737
AlbionTL
1439
Year
2010
2014
2009
2013
2012
2010
2013
2013
2013
2013
Note:TL=TownLine
Source:NYSDepartmentofTransportation
CSXLine
A freight railroad line, the Montreal Secondary, operated by CSX runs northsouth
throughwesternParishbetweenRt.81andRt.11.ThelineconnectstheCSXChicago
MainLineinSyracusetotheCanadianNationalRailwaynorthofMassena.
Sidewalks
Sidewalksarepresentalongmanystreetsinthevillage.Theseareinvaryingstatesof
disrepair, however. A quality network of sidewalks is extremely important for
pedestrian safety and general quality of life for village residents. An inventory of
sidewalkconditionsshouldbeundertakenandaplanforimprovementandreplacement
developed.
GOALB:PROVIDEANDENHANCEMULTIPLEMODESOFTRANSPORTATION.
STRATEGIES
Usezoningandthesiteplanreviewprocesstoensureproperlyspacedcurb
cutsinnewdevelopment,especiallyalongStateRoute69.
Worktolessentheimpactoftrucktraffic,especiallyattheMainStreet/Rider
Streetintersection.
Developlowvolumeandminimummaintenanceroaddesignation.
Undertakeasidewalkinventoryforthevillage.
18

Prohibitculdesacroadconstructioninnewsubdivisions(unlessnecessaryto
protectnaturalfeatures).
19
HOUSING
The availability of safe, affordable housing is of utmost importance to Parishs future.

Decenthousingisnotonlyakeycontributortothequalityoflifeofcurrentresidents,
but is also necessary if the town and village are to attract new business and industry.
The condition of a communitys housing stock is an accurate indicator of its overall
health.
HousingDistributionandAge
Figure18illustratesthedistributionofhousinginthetownandvillageasitchangedover
the19802010period.WhilethehousingcountgrewfortheTownasawhole,thecountin
thevillageexhibitedanupanddownpatternduringthatperiod.TheTown,includingthe
Village,had1,073totalhousingunitsin2010.
ThemedianvalueofahomeintheTownofParishwas$88,500in2010.Themedianvalue
was$88,000inOswegoCountyin2010.
Figure18.DistributionofHousing
1200
1000
Units
800
Town, Outside Village
600
Village
400
200
0
1980
1990
2000
2010
Year
20
ManufacturedHousing
Table19illustratesthetrendinthenumberofmanufacturedhomesoverthe19802010
period.Manufacturedhousingmadeup20%ofthetotalhousingstockin2010.Thisfigure
isdownfrom37%in2000.
Table19.ManufacturedHousing19802000
1980
1990
TownOutsideVillage
Village
Total
112
0
112
196
3
199
2000
306
2
308
2010
Decease
from2000
to2010
210
96
0
2
210
98
Manufactured homes are a popular local affordable housing opportunity. They can
create problems, however, when a preponderance of them in an area begins to
discourageotherhighervaluedhousingtypesfromlocatinginthatarea.Theexperience
of many communities is that large numbers of unregulated manufactured homes may
have the effect of eroding the local tax base due to rapid depreciation and aesthetic
deterioration.Designstandardscanhelpmakemanufacturedhomesbetterneighbors
toconventionalhousing.Themosteffectivedesignconsiderationsincludeproviding1)
a pitched roof, 2) the exterior siding of traditional sitebuilt homes, and 3) horizontal
dimensions more approximating sitebuilt homes. Proper site location along with
accessorybuildingsandscreeningcansignificantlychangetheappearanceofhorizontal
dimensions. These design improvements can make manufactured homes fit much
betterintoneighborhoods ofconventionalhousing,protectinghousingvaluesandthe
communitytaxbase.
GOALC:PROVIDEFORANDENHANCEAVARIETYOFHOUSINGOPORTUNITIES.
Strategies
Investigateopportunitiesforgrantandloanmoniesavailableforaffordable
housingdevelopmentandrepair.
WorkwiththeOswegoCountyHousingDevelopmentCounciltoincrease
accesstohousingforvillageandtownresidents.
Pursuethedevelopmentofrentalhousinginthevillage.
Aggressivelypursuethedevelopmentofseniorcitizenhousinginthevillage.
21
22
PARKSANDRECREATION
Parks and trails are an essential component of quality of life for village and town
residents. They provide a place for healthy active and passive recreation as well as
contributing to the attractiveness of the landscape. A quality recreation system can
contribute to economic development, encouraging residents of adjacent communities
andoutlyingareastovisitParish.
MerrillPark
Merrill Park is a 27 acre park operated by the town located south of the village on
CountyRoute38.ThisparkisnamedafterlocaldoctorWilliamMerrill,atruecountry
doctorwhopracticedinParishforover40years.Theparkwasinitiallydevelopedbythe
Jayceesin1967.Itfeaturesbasketballandtenniscourtsaswellassoftballfields,adisc
golfcourse,asmallplayground,apavilion(includingbathrooms),picnictablesandgrills,
and horseshoe pits. The park has a short nature trail featuring a pergola and bench
overlooking a wetland. In 2014 construction was completed on a 400 foot long
boardwalkacrossthewetland,creatingaccesstoapproximatelytenacresofadditional
lowlandforestandshowcasingseveralverylargetrees.Itisanticipatedthatanature
traillooponthefarsideoftheboardwalkwillbecompletedwithinthenexttwoyears.
Alsoanticipatedinthenearfutureisthecreationofalargerupdatedplaygroundarea
usingequipment(alreadyonsitebutnotyetinstalled)fromtheoldelementaryschool.
The potential exists to further expand facilities at the park with the creation of a
measureddistance graveled walking trail (including dog waste stations), and
interpretivesignagealongthenaturetrail.
CentralPark
LocatedinthecenteroftheVillageattheintersectionofRt.69andRt.38,thishalfacre
park (informally referred to as Central Park) features a mowed lawn, a gazebo with
electricity, picnic tables, and a parking area. It is anticipated that several pieces of
playground equipment (swings and slide) from the old elementary school or from the
olderplaygroundatMerrillParkwillbeinstalledatCentralPark.
HappyValleyWildlifeManagementArea
Happy Valley is an approximately 14 square mile Wildlife Management Area overseen
by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation that lies partially within the
northeasternportionofthetown.TheareaincludesMosherPond,St.MarysPond,and
WhitneyPond.Canoeing,kayakingandfishingarepopularactivitieshereasarehiking,
snowshoeing,birdwatching,andhunting.
23
SnowmobileTrails
HighusesnowmobiletrailsarelocatedinParish,includingthestatefundedC5Corridor
Trail and several secondary trails, which connect the north shore of Oneida Lake with
the Tug Hill plateau. Although some snowmobilers currently park trailers at the Grist
Mill,theopportunityexiststocreateandpromoteanofficialsnowmobileparkingand
accesssiteinthisarea.
LittleSalmonRiverPaddling
ThescenicLittleSalmonRiverflowsthroughtheTownandVillage,andisunderutilized
for recreation (canoeing, kayaking, and fishing) due to lack of public access. An
opportunityexiststocreateandpromoteapubliccanoe/kayaklaunchalongWestMain
StreetintheVillage.WithportagesaroundthedaminMexicoandtheoldmilldamin
Parish, it would be possible to do a canoe daytrip from Parish to Lake Ontario (a
prospectthat,ifpromoted,wouldbelikelytoattractvisitorstoParish).
GOALD:PROVIDERECREATIONALOPPORTUNITIESFORRESIDENTSANDTOURISTS
STRATEGIES:
StudypotentialforgreaterrecreationaluseofStateandCountylands.
Explore the development of other public active recreation areas within reach of the
village,includingacanoe/kayaklaunchalongWestMainStreet.
Maintain and enhance recreation programs, especially for summer and offschool
times.
ExploreopportunitiestoexpandtheCountygreenwaytrailsystemintheLittleSalmon
Riverarea.
Publicize the snowmobile trail spur and parking, without encouraging snowmobile
trafficonvillagestreets.
Develophikingandcrosscountryskitrails.
Encourageestablishmentanduseofbicycletrails.
24
HISTORICPRESERVATION
A communitys historic sites and structures provide a visible link to its past. Historic
resourcescontributegreatlytoParishssenseofplaceandidentityandprovidecluesas
to how early residents lived and worked. As these resources are demolished,
abandoned or allowed to deteriorate, this identity is slowly chipped away. Historic
preservationmakessenseeconomicallyasitbooststourismincommunities.
ImportantSitesandStructures
An inventory of important sites and structures in Parish has been undertaken by the
Heritage Foundation of Oswego. The inventory includes houses, commercial, public,
and agricultural sites, churches and cemeteries, and engineering structures and is
includedasAppendixD.Whiletheburdenofprotectingthesepropertiesliesprimarily
withindividualbuildingownersandlandowners,severaltoolsareavailabletohelpthe
communityaccomplishitspreservationgoal.
WhilenopropertiesinthetownorvillagearepresentlylistedontheNationalRegister
of Historic Places, it is thought that the Mills and Petrie buildings may be eligible for
inclusionasascatteredsitedistrict.
TaxIncentivesandGrants
OneofthetoolsavailabletoNYScommunitiesistheCertifiedLocalGovernment(CLG)
program. Administered by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation,theprogramgiveslocalgovernmentsaccesstogrants,aswellastechnical
assistance. Admission to the program requires the community to adopt a landmark
preservationlaw,whichregulateschangestohistoricproperties.
Alsoavailabletocommunitieswithlandmarkpreservationlawsissection444aofthe
RealPropertyTaxLaw,whichauthorizesapartialexemptionfromrealpropertytaxation
resulting from increased assessed valuation for the alteration or rehabilitation of
historicproperty.
Properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places are eligible for certain tax
credits when restored. These are detailed at http://www.nps.gov/tps/tax
incentives.htm.
25
GOALE:RETAINANDIMPROVETHEHISTORICINTEGRITYOFTHECOMMUNITY.
STRATEGIES:
Maintainacomprehensive,uptodatelistofimportanthistoricsitesand
structures.
Encouragetherehabilitationofhistoricsitesandstructuresthroughproperty
taxincentives.
ProtectsitesandstructuresthroughzoningsiteplanreviewandSEQR.
Pursueamultiplesitenominationtothestateandfederalregisterforkeysites
andstructures,especiallyMillsandPetriedonations.
Createawalkingtourofhistoricproperties.
26
RURALCHARACTER
TheImportanceofAgricultureandForestrytoParishandOswegoCounty
AgricultureisimportanttotheeconomyoftheOswegoCountyandTugHillregion.Itis
importantnotjustforthefarmjobsthatarecreated,butalsofortheagribusinesswhich
supports farm operations. This natural resource is an important and valuable economic
asset,whichmustbemanagedwisely.
Agriculture is important for noneconomic reasons as well. The culture of the region is
somewhatagriculturallyoriented.Agricultureisresponsiblefortheruralatmospherethat
residents feel is important. This atmosphere is largely defined by rural landscapes
composed of open space,farm fieldsandpastures, farm buildings and outbuildings, and
rurallifestyles.
Challenges to agriculture in the region are the intrusion of nonfarm uses into traditional
agriculturalareasandtheparcelizationofthefarmsintosmallerlots.Nonfarmusesmixed
intoagriculturalareascanbeaproblem,particularlywhentheyareresidentialinnature.
Agricultureisanindustry.Itinvolvesmanyactivitieswhichmayimpactresidentialliving
such as irregular hours of operation, the use of heavy machinery, the spraying of
chemicals,thespreadingofmanure,andunpleasantnoise,lights,andsmells.Urbanand
suburbanresidentsoftenmovetoruralareasandmaynotbeawareoftheseaspectsof
rurallife.Fortunately,NYSFarmlandProtectionlawsareinplacetoprovidefarmerssome
protectionagainstthesecomplaints.
The reversion of farmland to forest, the regrowth of earlier logged forests and higher
prices for logs and firewood over the past 30 years have resulted in an increase in
logging and firewood enterprises which have provided employment for those so
engagedaswellasprovidingsupplementaland/oremergencyincometomanyowners
offorestedproperty.
GOALF:MAINTAINTHERURALCHARACTEROFTHETOWN.
STRATEGIES:
Restrictlandusesinruralareastothosethatarecompatiblewithfarming,
forestry,andotheropenspaceuses.
Restrictbuildingdensitiesinruralareaswithclusterorotherdensityaveraging
zoningandsubdivisiontechniques.
Protectsignificantrurallandscapefeatures(stonewalls,treelines)through
zoningsiteplanreviewandsubdivisionreview.
27
Encouragepropersitingoftelecommunicationtowerandwindmills.
Educateownersofforestedlandonappropriatemanagementofsuchsothat
theirvaluesareperpetuatedratherthandenigratedovertime.
Increaseawarenessofforestlandownersonhowtoprotectthemselvesfrom
timbertheftandontheirrightsandproceduresforrecoveryofvalueswhen
suchoccurs.
28
WATERRESOURCES
SurfaceWaters(FloodPlains,Wetlands,StreamCorridors)
Floodplains have been mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Theseincludeonlyfloodhazardareaswhichhaveaprobabilityoffloodingatleastoncein
100years.Thesefloodhazardareasarescatteredthroughthetown.TheLittleSalmon
Riverstreamcorridorisalsoconsideredafloodhazardareathroughoutmostofitslength.
Certain major wetlands have been mapped by the Department of Conservation (DEC).
These include only wetlands of greater than 12.4 acres. Wetland areas are extensive in
Parish. Development projects located within 100 feet of these areas requires a DEC
permit.
TheDEChasclassifiedstreamcorridorsbasedonwaterquality.StreamsarerankedAA,A,
B,C,orD(AAbeinghighest)basedonexistingorexpectedbestusage.Disturbanceofany
streambed requires a DEC permit. Certain streams are utilized for outdoor recreational
activities.
TheDECsEnvironmentalMapperwebsite(www.dec.ny.gov/imsmaps/ERM/index.htm)isa
greatresourcefordeterminingwetlandandstreamclassifications.
Groundwater
Groundwateriswaterthathasaccumulated,overaperiodoftime,beneaththesurface
ofthegroundandisthesourceofsprings,wells,andaquifers.Asgrowthcontinuesin
rural areas, there is an everincreasing demand on groundwater resources to fulfill
continuing needs of residents, farmers, and industries. Land use decisions can have
significant and unanticipated impacts on groundwater and surface water resources.
Adequatewatersuppliesofhighqualityarenecessarybothforcommunityuseandlocal
ecosystems.Loweringthewatertablecanleadtotheintroductionofdeeperwaterof
poorerqualitytoshallowerdepths.Inaddition,inordertoprotectthesourcewaters
quality and quantity, a town must keep the region's "recharge" areas free from
overdevelopment. Examining groundwater quantity issues to evaluate whether
sufficient water is available for future development and generations is becoming a
growingconcern.Thechallengeisactingwhilethingsareinrelativelygoodshape,not
justforhumanusebutforwildlifeandecologicalbalance.
Adevelopmentconstraintsmaphasbeenpreparedaspartofthisstudy(seeAppendixA).
Thismapdepictsareasdeemedsuitablefordevelopmentbyexcludinglandswhichhave
floodhazards,majorwetlands,aresubmerged,arepubliclyowned,orarefurtherthan500
feetfromapublichighway.Thismapindicatesthattherearelargeareasofthetownthat
are unsuitable for development and agriculture due to wetlands and public State and
29
Countylands.Thereis,however,stillaverysignificantamountoflandwellwithinclose
proximitytopublichighwaysthatissuitableforfurtherdevelopment.
GOALG:PRESERVEANDPROTECTWATERRESOURCES.
STRATEGIES:
Usezoningsiteplanreview,subdivisionreviewandSEQRtoensurethatnew
developmentissitedtohavetheleastpossibleimpactonwaterqualityand
quantity.
Useonsitesepticsystemcapacityofsoilsasadeterminantofminimumlotsize
inzoninglaws.*
Considergroundwaterwithdrawalandrechargewhenestablishingminimum
lotsizeinzoninglaws.
Requireabuffer,throughzoninglaws,prohibitingnewdevelopmentwithin50
feetofanystreamorwaterbody,notwithstandingFEMAregulations.
Require,throughzoninglaws,thatnewdevelopmentinareasdelineatedby
FEMAasSpecialFloodHazardAreasconformtotownandvillagefloodhazard
regulations.
Require,throughzoninglaws,thatdevelopmentactivitiesconformtoerosion
andsedimentationcontrolstandardsdevelopedbytheUSDANatural
ResourcesConservationServiceandtheNYSDEC.
*a2006studycompletedforDutchessCountyrecommendedaminimumlotsizeof1.2
acresforthehighestqualitysoils.
30
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT
The town should seek to improve economic opportunities for its residents. The
expansionofjobopportunitieswouldallowresidentstoworkclosertotheirhomesand
reducetheirneedtocommutelongdistances.Abrightereconomicfuturewouldalso
createanincentiveforyoungpeopletoremaininthecommunity.Adiverseeconomic
base should be sought as it is more likely to survive the fluctuations in the national
economy, such as rising gas prices or falling prices for agricultural products, that can
wreak havoc on nondiverse local economies. Table 20 lists the businesses that were
reportedinthe2012EconomicCensusfortheTownofParish.
Table20.BusinessEstablishmentsintheParishZipCode2012
NAICSCode
42
4445
4849
51
52
53
54
56
61
62
72
81
Description
Wholesaletrade
Retailtrade
Transportationandwarehousing
Information
Financeandinsurance
Realestateandrentalandleasing
Professional,scientific,andtech.services
Administrativeandsupportandwastemanagement
Educationalservices
Healthcareandsocialassistance
Accommodationandfoodservices
Otherservices(exceptpublicadministration)
Number
1
6
2
1
4
1
3
2
1
3
7
7
Source:USEconomicCensus
CommercialPark
OperationOswegoCountyisattemptingtodevelopacommercialparkintheVillageof
ParishneartheintersectionofRoutes69and26.Aconceptualsiteplanhasbeendrawn
for the 100 acre site. The lack of public water has hindered this plan, however. It is
thought this would be an ideal location for distribution operations with its location
along Interstate 81. This project is considered a high priority in the Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy For Central New York, written by the Central NY
RegionalPlanningandDevelopmentBoard.
HomeBasedBusinesses
Homebasedbusinessesarebecomingincreasinglypopularintheregion.Itisimportantto
thehealthofthelocaleconomytoaccommodatesuchbusinessstartupswheretheuse
canbedemonstratedtobeinharmonywiththeneighborhood,andwillnotdetractfrom
orcompetewiththeexistingvillagecentercommercialarea.Controlsontheintensityof
the usesitelighting,signs, parking,aesthetics, trafficgeneration, noise,and othersuch
31
characteristicsareimportant.Thealloweduseofthesitemustbeclearlydefinedsothat
subsequent owners and changes in use do not alter the site so as to detract from the
neighborhood.
GOALH:IMPROVETHEECONOMICENVIRONMENT.
STRATEGIES:
AdvertisevacantcommercialandindustrialspacethroughOperationOswego
Countyswebsite.
WorkwithOperationOswegoCountytoseekandencourageindustrial
developmentinParish.
Encouragehomebasedbusinessesthatarecompatiblewithadjacent
residentialuses.
Seekbusinessesthataddvaluetoagricultureandforestryproducts(example:
maplesyruppackaging,agtourism).
EncourageeconomicgrowththroughactiveparticipationofTownandVillage
officialsinthedevelopmentprocess.
32
INFRASTRUCTURE
Community infrastructure such as sewer and water allows residents of densely

developedareassuchasvillagestohaveaffordable,abundant,andsafeaccesstowater
andwasterwaterdisposal.Utilitiesandcommunicationsinfrastructurefurtherimprove
quality of life and economic development potential. These services are essential to
attract business and residents to the village. Care must be taken to manage
infrastructuretokeepifaffordableandmaintained.
PublicSewer
The Village of Parish is served by a public sewer system established in the 1970s. The
systemservesallstreetsinthevillageandtreatssewageataplantneartheLittleSalmon
RiveraccessedbyCookRd.Thesystem,asof2015,servesatotalof202connections.Of
these, 162 are residential, 25 commercial, and one industrial. Additionally, nine
institutionalandfivegovernmentconnectionsexist.Todatenosingleuserexiststhatis
consideredasignificant/industrialuser*requiringaspecialpermit.Thevillagetreatment
planisratedfor/permittedforamaximumaveragedailyflowof140,000gallonsperday.
Theaveragedailyflowfortheperiod2014wasapproximately61,000gallonsperday.In
generaltheusedcapacityofthesystemstandsat44%.Thevillagehasbeenintheprocess
of upgrading the facility and is seeking to continue improving/renovating the existing
infrastructure to accommodate new users as they may seek to access the facility in the
existingopenareaswhereserviceisavailable.
PublicWater
Atthepresenttime,allpropertiesinthevillageandtownareservedbyprivatewells.
Active discussions are underway to develop a public water supply for the village. A
surveyofvillageandtownresidentswasrecentlyundertakentogaugecurrentinterest
inthecontinuedpursuitofpublicwater.Developmentofpublicwaterisahighpriority
forParish,asitisessentialforresidentssafetyaswellaseconomicdevelopment.
*SignificantIndustrialUserAnindustrialuserwhois:
SubjecttoNationalCategoricalPretreatmentStandardspromulgatedbytheEPA,
Havingsubstantialimpact,eithersinglyorincombinationwithotherindustries,ontheoperation
ofthetreatmentworks,
Using,onanannualbasis,morethan10,000lbsor1,000gallonsofrawmaterialcontaining
prioritypollutantsand/orsubstancesofconcernanddischargingameasurablequantityofthese
pollutantstothesewersystem,
Dischargingmorethanfivepercent(5%)ofthefloworloadofconventionalpollutantsreceived
bythetreatmentplant.
33
GOALI:IMPROVEPUBLICINFRASTRUCTUREANDUTILITIES.
STRATEGIES:
Pursuethedevelopmentofapublicwatersupplysysteminthevillageand
adjacentpartsofthetown.
Continuesewersystemimprovementsinthevillage.
Pursueconnectionofthevillagetotheregionalnaturalgasgrid.
Seekandaccommodateimprovedtelecommunicationsfacilitiesandnetworks,
includinghighspeedinternetaccess.
34
COMMUNITYBUILDINGS
The Village of Parish is home to essential government and community buildings

(sometimes referred to as vertical infrastructure). These include government
buildings such as the village hall, the library, the schools, the post office, and the fire
department.Itisimportantthatthesefacilitiesremaininthevillageastheystrengthen
its function as a community center and bolster traffic at neighboring retail
establishmentsaswell.
MunicipalBuilding/Gymnasium
The community has long identified with this building as a recreation and gathering
place. The 8,500 square foot structure was completed in 1925 and donated to the
villageasagifttothecommunitybyphilanthropistsSamuelFranklinMillsandNathan
AlbertPetrie.Thebuildingoriginallyservedasagym,butisnowalsothehomeofthe
town and village offices. The community has debated whether or not to build a new
single function building which would serve as the center for town and village
governmentandthefirestation.
Library
TheMillsandPetrieMemorialLibraryonMainStreetinthevillageisanotherMillsand
Petriedonation.DesignedbyMertonGranger,theonestorybrickbuildingwasbuiltin
1922andfeaturesthevillageslandmarkclockinitsfrontyard.
GOALJ:EXPANDCOMMUNITYFACILITIES
STRATEGIES:
Continuetoinvestigatethedevelopmentofanewjointtown/villagemunicipal
building/firestation.
EvaluatepotentialusesandupgradestotheGymnasiumbuilding.
35
PARTIIIDEVELOPMENTPLAN
DISTRICT:CORE
Location/GeneralDescription
The Core District is located in the center of the Village along Main St. The district is
approximately1000feetinlengthandextendsonelotdeep(inmostplaces)between
justwestofRailroadStreet(NYS69A)andjusteastofRiderSt.Thedistrictismadeup
ofmixedlandusesonsmalllots.TheCoreDistrictishometoinstitutionaluses,suchas
the library, post office, gymnasium/municipal building as well as the majority of the
commercial uses in the Town and Village. Residences are also present in the form of
singlefamilydwellingsandmultifamilydwellings. Mostbuildingsaretwostories and
aresitedrelativelyclosetothestreetrightofwaycreatingastrongbuildingedge.The
districtisservedbypublicsewer.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The districts length along Main Street is appropriate in that 1000 is a comfortable
distance for pedestrians*. Commercial uses, especially retail, should be highly
encouragedhere.Itisimportantthatthisdistrictsboundariesnotbeexpandeduntilit
isbuiltout.Accomplishingthiswouldcreatemoretrafficforexistingbusinessesinthe
core (due to concentration), preserve the residential character of the surrounding
neighborhoods and create a strong sense of entry into the core. Institutional uses
should also be encouraged here. Residential uses are appropriate, but should be
encouraged more as second floor apartments above commercial storefronts. New
constructionshouldrespecttheexistingbuilding(setback)lineaswellthearchitectural
characterofneighboringbuildings.Buildingsshouldhaveamaximumfootprintsizeof
5,000squarefeetandrangefrom20to35feetinheight.
*seeNelessen,VisionsforaNewAmericanDreamformoredetail
DISTRICT:VILLAGERESIDENTIAL
The Village Residential District lies generally within 1500 feet of the village core. It is
boundedtothenorthbytheLittleSalmonRiverandabandofwoodland,totheeastby
the Highway Commercial District near Edgewood Drive, to the south by Montgomery
StreetandtothewestbytheIndustrialDistrictalongtheCSXtracks.Theareaislargely
residentialwithasprinklingofotheruses,includingtheParishElementarySchool.Lot
36
sizesaveragearound20,000s.f.withlotfrontagesrangingfromabout50to150feet.
HydricsoilsarepresentnorthofEastMainSt.(eastoftheRiderStreetintersection)and
to the north of Montgomery Street east of S. Railroad St. Buildings are mostly two
story.Thedistrictisservedbypublicsewer.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Village Residential District is an ideal place for residential development. The
majorityoftheDistrictlieswithina5minutewalkfromthevillagecore.Thenorthern
boundary(alongtheLittleSalmonRiver)andthesouthernboundaryalongMontgomery
Street are formed by woods which create a well defined edge. Infill residential
development should be encouraged here as well as new development (where soil
conditionspermit).Lotsshouldbekeptinthe7500to24,000s.f.rangesothatefficient
useofexistinginfrastructure(sewersystem,sidewalks)ismade.Futurestreetsshould
be laid out in a block pattern that respects the current street pattern. Cul de sacs
shouldbediscouragedunlessabsolutelynecessarytopreserveenvironmentalfeatures.
ExistingCommercialusesshouldbeallowed,butonlyiftheyremainsimilarinsizeand
setback as neighboring residences and must not alter the residential character of the
district.Multifamilydwellingsshouldalsobeincharacterwithsinglefamilydwellings.
These are more appropriate in the areas immediately surrounding the village core.
Buildingsshouldhaveamaximumfootprintsizeof5,000squarefeetandrangeupto35
feetinheight.
DISTRICT:INDUSTRIAL
The Industrial District lies along the CSX railroad tracks in the western portion of the
village.ThisareahastraditionallybeenthehomeofindustrythoughoutParishshistory
and is presently builtout. The district is served by public sewer. A potential new
industrialdistrictliesalongtheeasternsideofI81(frontingonCountyRoute26).This
areaispresentlyundevelopedbutmaybethehomeofanindustrialpark.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Thisdistrictisstrategicallylocatedtotakeadvantageoftransportationaccessandhelps
toformanedgetotheresidentialportionoftheVillage.Thisareashouldbepreserved
for uses that need railroad and interstate highway access and that would be
inappropriateintheotherdistricts,especiallytheCoreandVillageResidentialDistricts.
Heavy industrial uses, slaughter houses, rendering operations, waste incinerators and
37
usesthatutilizeorcreatehazardousmaterialsshouldbeexpresslyprohibitedinthese
districts.Residentialdevelopmentshouldalsobeprohibitedhere.
DISTRICT:HIGHWAYCOMMERCIAL
TheVillageandTowncontaintwoHighwayCommercialDistricts.Oneincludesthearea
ofEastMainSt.betweenEdgewoodDr.andC.R.26,encompassingtheI81interchange.
Thisdistrictisapprox.1800feetlongand1lot(240)deep.LocatedhereareParishs
twogasstation/conveniencestores,amedicalcenter/drugstore,anantiqueshopalong
with a few residences. Buildings are generally one story. The other Highway
CommercialDistrictislocatedalongRoute104,eastofI81.Thisareaiscurrentlyhome
toalargetruckstop.
RECOMMENDATIONS
TheHighwayCommercialDistrictsareanidealplacetolocateautomobileorientedland
usesthatserviceI81travelersaswellaslocalresidents.Commercialuseswhichrequire
parkingareasandbuildingfootprintsthatwouldbeharmfultotheCoreDistrictshould
beencouragedhere.However,astheseareasaretheentrancegatewaytotheVillage
and Town for many, the land should be developed and maintained in an aesthetically
pleasingway.NewbuildingsshouldbeincharacterwiththoseoftherestoftheVillage
and respect a buildto (maximum setback) line. Buildings should have a maximum
footprint of 40,000 square feet. Parking should be located behind or at the side of
buildingsandaccessshouldbecarefullyplanned.
DISTRICT:RURAL
TheRuralDistrictincludesalloftheTownandpartsoftheVillage.Thisareaconsistsof
woodlands, some farms (active and abandoned) and low density residential
development.Scatteredcommercialusesarealsopresent.Thedistrictincludeslarge
acreagesofstateandcountyownedland,aswellasDECregulatedwetlandsandhydric
soils.ThedistrictisinterspersedbytownandcountyroadsaswellasNYSRoutes69and
104.
38
RECOMMENDATIONS
Theopenspace,lowdensitypatternoftheRuralDistrictshouldbepreservednotonly
toretainitsruralcharacter,butalsotopreserveandencourageaworkinglandscapeof
farmingandforestry.Awidevarietyofusesshouldbeencouraged,butonlythosethat
do not interfere with natural resource dependent uses. An analysis of hydrologic
conditionsinthedistrictrevealsthatminimumlotssizesshouldbesetintherangeof
1.5to2acres(dependingonsoiltype)topreventgroundwatercontaminationbyonsite
septic systems. Residential subdivision size should be limited by various techniques,
such as clustering, and occur where possible on existing roads. Stretches of
undeveloped road frontages should also be preserved through the zoning and
subdivisionprocesses.Maximumbuildingfootprintsizeshouldbesetat40,000square
feet. Special care should be taken to specify proper spacing of driveways, especially
alongNYSRoutes69and104topreservehighwaysafetyandfunction.Aminimumlot
frontagerequirementof220couldhelpaccomplishthis.
DISTRICT:RURALMIXEDUSE
TheRuralMixedUseDistrictsarelocatedatsevennodesalongimportantintersections
onCountyRoute26andStateRoute69.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Rural Mixed Use Districts are intended to provide suitable locations for small
commercialdevelopmentinthetownoutsidethevillage.Asidefromthefactthatthese
locations give a business better access, these locations alleviate traffic because cars can
disperse in three or more directions (as opposed to two if a business is located in the
middleofaroadsegment).ThedimensionalrecommendationsfortheRuralDistrictapply
hereaswell.
39
DISTRICT:LIGHTMANUFACTURINGOVERLAY
The Light Manufacturing Overlay district is located between Union and Montgomery
Streetsinthevillage.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Thepurposeandintentofestablishingalightmanufacturingoverlayzoneistoallowthe
adaptivereuseoftheformerParishElementarySchoolbuildingandproperty.Anyuses
permittedintheunderlyingzoneshallbepermittedinthelightmanufacturingoverlay
district, along with light manufacturing uses, which shall be permitted with site plan
review.
40
APPENDIXAMAPS
41
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Rice Rd
at
St
PLAN MAP
a
Gr
Rich ardson Rd
La Casse Rd
o
eR
Town and Village of Parish
State Hwy 104
Ra
m
State Route 104
104
State Route
Hong Kong Rd
Tub
b
n
Tan
er R
St
re e
This information was compiled for planning purposes

and is NOT a survey product. It may not be reproduced
or transmitted for commercial purposes or for any other
purpose without the prior authorization of the NYS Tug
Hill Commission. NYSTHC makes no claims as to the
accuracy or completeness of the data contained hereon.
Star
k Rd
s Rd
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Town Boundary
ed
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Rd
Road Jurisdiction
Rd
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State
ty R
out e
26
H
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Interstate
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Ra m p
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Whi
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45 C
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Weav er Ave
ty
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Kip p
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TOW
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LBI
ON
fto
Rice Rd
at
St
BASE MAP
a
Gr
Rich ardson Rd
La Casse Rd
o
eR
State Hwy 104
Ra
m
State Route 104
104
State Route
Hong Kong Rd
Tub
b
n
Tan
er R
St
re e

Star
k Rd
s Rd
dR
d
Blin
Ra
m
Rd
Rd
l l ey
ned
y Va
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Ha p
p
A ba
22
out e
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am
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St
Residential
Ga r
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Un
n
k Rd
r haw
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Agriculture
Rd
Vacant
Rd
Commercial
out e
26
Sto
Public Service
Rd
Forest
d Rd
Lit t le
Easy
St
Po n
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Be
ill
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TOW
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Miles
Tan
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S he
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Cu sso n Dr
Rd
Whi
te
Smi
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Co
S ee
St re
ll Rd
Voo
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nc
Un
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Ba
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Co unty R
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Phyllis
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b ack
Rd
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Ride r S
t
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Dr
Co r
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Hill
rr y
Village Boundary
Community Services
m
Ra
St
Pe
te 3
8
ai n
Roads
Recreation
Ra m p
r
R ou
EM
w Rd
Whi
te
Cr im
45 C
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Weav er Ave
ty
St
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Waterwell Dr
sR
ood
sh W
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Rd
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Dr
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NO
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ty R
Bid
I 81
I 81
Co unty Rou
te 38
Be
Smo k
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Alle
KEY
Town Boundary
Ch u
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Rd
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Rd
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58
6
a
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Sq
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W
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Co u
n
Kip p
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Co
Rd
Re d Mill
TOW
NO
FA
LBI
ON
fto
Rice Rd
at
St
CURRENT LAND USE
a
Gr
Rich ardson Rd
La Casse Rd
o
eR
State Hwy 104
Ra
m
State Route 104
104
State Route
Hong Kong Rd
Tub
b
n
Tan
er R
St
re e

Star
k Rd
s Rd
dR
d
Blin
Ra
m
Rd
Rd
l l ey
ned
y Va
nd o
Ha p
p
A ba
22
out e
t
re
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Co u
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St
Oswego County
ed
am
Un
n
k Rd
r haw
S pa
New York State
Rd
Town of Albion
Town of Parish
ty R
out e
26
H
ne
Sto
Village of Parish
d Rd
Lit t le
Easy
St
Po n
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Be
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TOW
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Rd
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oute 6
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84
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NRO
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Dr
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TOW
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26
nt y
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Rd
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Dr
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Rd
Rd
0.5
Miles
Tan
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lte r
S he
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Cu sso n Dr
Rd
Whi
te
Smi
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Co
S ee
St re
ll Rd
Voo
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Ba
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Rd
Cowen Rd
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Co unty R
oute 38
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Phyllis
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Hill
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Rd
well
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Ra
St
Pe
te 3
8
ai n
Public Lands
Town of Mexico
Ra m p
r
R ou
EM
w Rd
Roads
Town Boundary
Whi
te
Cr im
45 C
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Weav er Ave
ty
St
nR
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Waterwell Dr
sR
ood
sh W
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Co unty Rou
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Be
Smo k
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KEY
Village Boundary
Ch u
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Rd
CO
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ga ll
B an
58
6
a
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9A
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Sq
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W
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Co u
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Kip p
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Co
Rd
Re d Mill
TOW
NO
FA
LBI
ON
fto
Rice Rd
at
St
PUBLIC LANDS
a
Gr
Rich ardson Rd
La Casse Rd
o
eR
State Hwy 104
Ra
m
State Route 104
104
State Route
Hong Kong Rd
Tub
b
n
Tan
er R
St
re e

Star
k Rd
s Rd
dR
d
Blin
Rd
Rd
l l ey
ned
y Va
nd o
Ha p
p
A ba
22
t
re
e
ty R
Ch u
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Rd
St
ed
am
Ga r
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Un
n
r haw
S pa
Co u
n
k Rd
out e
Rd
Town Boundary
Rd
Roads
ty R
out e
26
Sto
Flood Hazard Areas
Rd
Agricultural Districts
d Rd
Po n
St
Lit t le
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o
Be
Easy
rf R
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TOW
NO
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S pa
ulsb
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Rd
Rd
State R
oute 6
9
Ne ll
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ill R
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MO
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Dr
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TOW
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26
nt y
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p
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co u
Rd
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be r
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d
Dr
m an
Rd
Rd
0.5
Miles
Tan
n
lte r
S he
ees
Cu sso n Dr
Rd
Whi
te
Voo
rh
Foil R
lS
Gir
Smi
nt
et
hS
nc
Un
n
am
ed
Ba
um
Rd
Cowen Rd
Village Boundary
DEC Regulated Wetlands
ut e
Dr
u
Co
S ee
St re
Fre
B
a
el v
d
Blv
Rd
Rd
Ro
Co unty R
oute 38
nt y
m ed
ll Rd
Phyllis
Ln
Ho gs
b ack
Hill
Ride r S
t
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Co
Hu e
st ed
a
Un n
Co r
ne
Whi
te
Dr
KEY
Steep Slopes
m
Ra
rr y
te 3
8
St
Pe
R ou
ai n
w Rd
Ra m p
45 C
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Weav er Ave
ty
EM
nR
d
Cr im
out e
St
Alle
Waterwell Dr
Dr
a
ro
r le s
S ea
Rd
le
sR
ood
sh W
ty R
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Be
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ut e
9A
TOW
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AST
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Co u
n
Bid
I 81
I 81
Co unty Rou
te 38
58
at
St
DEVELOPMENT
CONSTRAINTS
Ra
m
CO
TOW
NO
FM
EXI
ga ll
B an
ut e
W
ar
d
Dr
il
Ra
ld R
d
Rd
Ro
vie
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f ie
ary s
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Wo
od
Rd
St M
Rd
Sq
u
Co
Rd
Re d Mill
Kip p
US R
ou te
11
fto
Rice Rd
TOW
NO
FA
LBI
ON
a
Gr
Rich ardson Rd
La Casse Rd
o
eR
State Hwy 104
Ra
m
State Route 104
104
State Route
Hong Kong Rd
Tub
b
n
Tan
er R
St
re e

Star
k Rd
APPENDIXBQUESTIONAIRRESUMMARY
AspartoftheprocessofrevisingtheParishComprehensivePlan,aquestionnaireform
was made available to town and village residents in March 2009 to determine their
current perceptions and concernsand their desires for the future. Twentycompleted
questionnaires were returned. As this is a very small sample of town and village
residents, the following synopsis is not intended to form the basis of community
policy.
CHARACTERISTICSTHATDEFINETHECOMMUNITY
Onthemorepositiveside,Parishwasdescribedbyamajorityofrespondentsasasmall,
rural,bedroomcommunitywithgoodschoolsthatisagreatplacetoraisechildren.The
citizenry is described as caring and friendly. Parish is characterized by snowy winters
and a Tug Hill environment. The community is thought to have several desirable
servicesthreeservicestations,ahardwarestore,threechurches,alibrary,andabank.
On a less positive note, the following descriptors were used by a majority of
respondents outdated, run down, shabby, stagnant (no growth), going downhill, and
lacking in businesses, stores and community events. Town and village boards were
characterizedasbeingslowtomove;lackingvisionandresistingchange;selfcentered,
selfservingandengaginginsquabblingpowerstruggles.
COMMUNITYASSETS,STRENGTHSANDOPPORTUNITIES
ThemostfrequentlymentionedassetwastheproximitytoI81andtheaccessibilityto
Syracuse,Watertown,andOswego.Indescendingorderoffrequency,mentionedwere
facilitiessuchasthelibrary,GristMill,hardwarestore,gym,firedepartment,churches,
school system, Merril Park, recreation program, highway department, Chamber of
Commerce, Farmers Market, and outdoor recreation (hunting, fishing, camping,
snowmobiling). Other comments included: the vacant Elementary School and other
vacant buildings along with inexpensive land are opportunities for expansion and
growth; there is good potential for small, homebased businesses; people in need of
workrepresentapotentiallaborforce;thepeoplearefriendly,loveParish,andareable
to work together; there are some great citizens Mary Lou Guindon, Bridget and Fred
Swartz,LeonHeagle;qualityoflifeissuperiorforthosewhoappreciateasmalltown
atmosphere;housingdevelopmentsarelacking.
WEAKNESSES,THREATS,ISSUES
Topping the list of weaknesses were lack of public water, lack of high speed internet,
lackofbusiness,andproblemswiththeTown,VillageandPlanningBoards.Theboards
were characterized as: having too many older members with old ideas who don't
welcome new ideas; stuck in a comfort zone; unwilling to listen or compromise;
changing laws and regulations arbitrarily; dogmatic and nonresponsive to the
42
electorate; having no plans for improvement; and failing to "market" the area.
Intermediateamongtheresponseswaspoorappearanceofproperty(houses,buildings
in disrepair, cluttered yards). Also mentioned were the lack of: activities for children
and adults,grocery, pharmacy and police. High taxes without commensurate services
wasalsolisted.Moresingularresponsesincludedlackofjobopportunityforyouthand
adults, weak enforcement of speeding and zoning laws, lack of sewers outside the
village,lackofparkingforthegym,lackofseniorcitizenhousingandlackofnaturalgas.
Otherconcernswerethatsewertaxesaretoohigh,roadsarenotrepaired,thereareno
"real"sidewalks,andtheschoolsystemisweak.
MISSINGBUSINESSESANDSERVICESINTHEVILLAGE
Topping the list by a large margin were a grocery store and pharmacy. Stores (in
general), a restaurant, a gym w/ a workout center, beauty and barber shops, and a
community center each received a few votes. A long list of other stores received
singularvotes,including:amovierentalstore,florist,dollargeneral,fastfoodshop,dry
goods, dry cleaners, auto parts, outdoor sporting goods, feed store and bowling alley.
Missing services or other entities included: a drivethru bank, larger fire department,
dentist, police, historical museum, a second bank, retirement home, nursing home,
recreation facilities for adults and children, youth/teen center, information site for
touristsandpedestriancrossingsatthelibraryandthegym.AlsoneededisaPlanwith
goals,strategies,responsibilitiesandmotivatedpeopletogetthejobdone.Animage,
sloganormottowhichbondsthecommunitywouldbehelpful.
MISSINGBUSINESSESANDSERVICESOUTSIDETHEVILLAGE
Grocery and drug stores and a shopping center were most mentioned. Public water,
highspeedinternetandsewersrankednext.Otherentitiesthoughttobemissingwere
a hospital, urgent care, retirement home, nursing home, larger fire department,
optometrist,pizzadelivery,bedbreakfastforfishermen,smallhotelforsnowmobilers,
farmstands,anddevelopmentoftouristopportunities(tramforleafviewinginFall).
CHANGESDESIREDINNEXTFIVEYEARS
The most desired change was to improve the image of the village and town by
maintenanceofhousesandbuildingsandcleanupofyardsandreducingthenumberof
vacantbuildingsandenforcingappropriateordinances.Publicwaterinthevillageand
town, high speed internet, more stores (grocery and pharmacy), a community center
andcombiningthetownandvillagewerethenextmostdesiredchanges.Otherdesired
changeswereseniorcitizenhousing,betterroads,improvingRt.69throughthetown
andvillage,lowertaxes,anadultworkoutgym,bettersidewalksandmoretreesinthe
village, more activities for teens, sewers outside the village, continuing the recreation
program,additionalapartments/townhouses,aparkincenteroftown,betterparksfor
children, availability of natural gas, "green" electricity, familychild counseling center,
43
ATV trail system, drivethru bank, bowling alley, swimming pool, skate park, movie
rental store, retaining elementary school, attracting more people to live in the area
(growth),noisereductionfromtownbarnandlumberyard,andagranttobuyuniforms
fortheAPWband.Moregenerally,abipartisaneffortisthoughttobeneededtomove
forwardwithaPlanwithgoals,strategies,responsibilitiesto"getitdone".
SPECIFICQUESTIONSASKEDONSURVEY
Distanceyoudrivetowork?3036mi(5)2025mi(1)1015mi(3)<2mi(3)0mi(6)NA(2)
Averageforthosewhodrive18.9mi
Distanceyoudrivetoshop?2030mi(11)1018mi(8)NA(1)Average18.9mi
WouldyoulikeareatogetHighSpeedInternet?Yes16No0Haveit1NA3
Wouldyousupportpublicwatertoattractbusiness?Yes13No4VillageOnly2NA2
44
APPENDIXCSWOTEXERCISESUMMARY
TheTownandVillageofParishhavebeenworkingwiththeNYSTugHillCommissionto
update their Joint Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated and adopted in 2001.
This Visioning Exercise is a variation on a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities, and Threats), designed to answer Town and Village specific questions,
whilekeepingtheprocessbroadenoughtoapplyinformationgatheredtoanumberof
potentialprogramareas.
Toaugmentthisprocess,theJointPlanningBoardalsodistributedaquestionnaireprior
to the forum. Respondents were asked to address five opened ended
questions/statementsaboutthearea.TheVisioningSessionprocesswasalsoorganized
aroundthesefivequestionsandparticipantswereaskedtodiscussthematthemeeting.
Theyareasfollows:
1) Whatcharacteristicsdefinethecommunityasitistoday?
2) Listcommunityassets/strengths/opportunities.
3) Listweaknesses,threats,andissuesaffectingthecommunity.
4) Whatbusinessesand/orservicesaremissinginParish?
5) Whatchangeswouldyouliketoseeinthenextfiveyears?
ThisSummaryReportalsoincludesresultsofasimilarsessionthatwasconductedwith
the Town and Village of Parish Economic Development Task Force, its membership
consistingof25communityleaderswhoareappointedbytheTownandVillageforthe
purposeoffosteringeconomicgrowthinthecommunity.Thisstrategysessionwasheld
onJanuary7,2008.Theagendaforthatexercisefollows:
1) Listcommunityassets&strengths
2) Listkeyissues&challenges
3) Identifytoppriorityissues&challenges
4) Spendtimeonpriorityissues
a. Identifypotentialpartners
b. Identifyinitialactionstostartmovingforward
The process and questions posed at each session were very similar. Combining the
resultsofbothmeetingsstrengthenstheprocess.
1) Whatcharacteristicsdefinethecommunityasitistoday?
Semiruralfeeling
Lowpopulationdensity(>5,000)
Commuting(Bedroom)communityRome,Watertown,Syracuse,Oswego
FamilyOriented
AffordableHousing&Landwithincommutingdistance
45
QuietandPeaceful
MinimalLightPollution
ManyRecreationalOpportunitiesSnowmobiling,hunting,fishing,camping
2) Listcommunityassets/strengths/opportunities
LocationAdvantages:
HighwayAccess
- Interstate81
- Route11
- Route69(parkandrideaccesstoI81)
- Route104
CentrallylocatedbetweenSyracuse,Watertown,Oswego,&Rome
Snowbeltheavysnowsdrawsnowmobilers&skierstotheregionstrails
Accesstonearbyoutdoorrecreationopportunities
- Regions:TugHill,LakeOntario,OneidaLake
- Activities:Hunting,fishing,recreationaltrails,camping
CSXFreightRaillinethroughTown
Commercial/industrialsitesavailable
Infrastructure&PhysicalAssets:
Publicsewersinvillagecapableofhandlingadditionaldemand
Available&affordablelandfordevelopment
Highspeedinternetaccess(butlimitedtovillageandRoute69corridor)
NearTugHillAquifer(wateravailable)
UpcomingRte69/MainSt.DOTreconstruction
Elementaryschool(onlyfortwomoreyears),possiblereuseofbuilding
Manybuildingswithhistoricsignificance
NearbyAttractions:
EastCoastResorts(BassLake)
HappyValleyWildlifeManagementArea(hunting,fishing,recreationaltrails)
OneidaLake,SalmonRiver
PublicAmenities
Library
Goodschoolsystem,notovercrowded
VillageGymnasium
MerrillPark
PostOfficedowntown
46
FireCompany
Business/PrivateAmenities
HardwareStore
Four(4)gasstations
STPwithcapacitytogrow
Two(2)InsuranceCompanies
Two(2)autorepairservices
Two(2)Carwashes
Antiqueshop
Three(3)Diners
Lumbermill
Medicalcenter
Tavern
SocialCapital
Closeknitcommunity
Capablelaborforce
Varietyofchurches
Cooperationb/wtown,village&schooldistrict
GreatQualityofLife
Existingcommunitywebsiteagoodsourceofinformation
Taskforcededicatedtoeconomicgrowth
3) Listweaknesses,threatsandissuesaffectingthecommunity.
Needtownwidebroadbandaccessforbusiness&studentuse
Nopublicwater
- Areaonprivatewells
- Villagehasbeeninvestigatingtheissuewithanengineer
Nonaturalgas
VillageCenterRevitalization
- Morewalkablecommunity
- Rundownvacantproperties
- Needtorecruit/encouragemoreservices,including:
o Grocery/drugstore
o Largerpharmacy
o Minidepartment/varietystore
o Drycleaners
o Petstore
- CreateaPark&Ridelotforcommuters
47
Villagehealth&vitalityisalsoanassettothetownintermsoftaxbase
andcommunityimage
Housing(primarilyrental)Needsfor:
- seniors,singles,&youngcouples
- infillingvacantlots
- findingoccupantsforvacantproperties
- providinghousingforyoungprofessionals&teachers
- increasingusersofunderutilizedsewersystem
Highereducationopportunities/collegesatellitecampus
- CouldutilizedistancelearningfacilityatAPW
Lackofchildcare(workforceissue)
30%ofTownnottaxable(HappyValleyWMA)
MajorTrain/vehicleaccidents
Costassociatedwithsnowremoval
Nomasstransit(trains,buses)stopinParish
Lackofparkingforsnowmobiletrailers(parkandride)
Notawalkablecommunity(nosidewalks)
Elementaryschoolclosingintwo(2)years
Lossofopenspace
Lackofforestmanagement,woodlotsnotmanagedsustainably
Nolocalpoliceforce
4) Whatbusinessesand/orservicesaremissinginParish?
Grocery
Townwideinternet
Florist
MassTransit
Retailclothing
Print/copy
Recreational(icerink,bowling,gym,skateboardpark)
CivicCenter,meetingarea
Daycare
Fastfood
Localpoliceforce
Parkandrideforsnowmobilers
Collegesatellitecampus
Largerpharmacy/drugstore
VarietyStore/minidepartmentstore
Drycleaner
Petstore
48

5) Whatchangeswouldyouliketoseeinthenextfive(5)years?
Publicwater
Rte.69/MainSt.reconstruction/parkandride
Naturalgasaccess
Townwidebroadband(affordable)
Drugstore
Masstransitbusservice
Morevibrant/additionaldowntownbusinessesandincentives
Municipalbuilding
Updated/strongerzoningplanningthatprotectsexistingresidentialcharacter
Increaseopportunitiesforlocalentrepreneurs/localemployment
Forestmanagementeducation
Hotel(express)andotheraccommodations
Openspaceprotection
Needpremiumhousing($300,000+market)
Appropriatezoning/subdivision
Improvedcommunityattitude
Opportunitiesforemploymentingreentechnologies,vendors,andservices
Woodlotmanagementeducationprogram
49
APPENDIXDHISTORICANDSIGNIFICANTBUILDINGS,STRUCTURES,ANDSITES
HOUSES
HOUSE
BrooksHouse
DATE
c1850
LOCATION
W.MainSt.(Village)
CarverHouse
c1875
DaveyBackityLutzHouse
c1890
IntersectionofS.Railroad
St.andMontgomerySt.
(Village)
E.MainSt.(Village)
HendersonPerryHouse
1930
W.MainSt.(Village)
KilmerHouse
c1840
CanfieldRd.
ManguseFullerHouse
c1850
MainSt.(Village)
MerrillPerryHouse
1945
W.MainSt.(Village)
MillerHolmesHouse
1930
W.MainSt.(Village)
MillsHouse
1888
RiderSt.(Village)
MosherChurchMeany
House
PetrieHouse
c1885
W.MainSt.(Village)
c1860
C.R.26
QueenAnneHouse
c1890
S.RailroadSt.(Village)
RiderHouse
SwartzHouse
c1880
c1830
E.MainSt.(Village)
W.MainSt.(Village)
DESCRIPTION
GreekRevivaluprightand
wing
BrickItalianatehouse
QueenAnnehousewith
toweranddormer
Elizabethan(Tudor
Revival)stylehouse
Smallsettlementtype
house
GreekRevivalhousewith
hippedroofand
pedimentedentrance
ThreebaybrickCapeCod
cottage
ThreebayColonialRevival
house
GableendedQueenAnne
Eastlakehouse
ElaborateHighVictorian
Italianatehouse
Homesteadstyle;upright
andwing
QueenAnnehouse
exhibitingabasic
homesteadhouse
FivebayItalianatehouse
Settlementtypehouse
withacarpenter
gingerbreadaddition
COMMERCIALANDINSTITUTIONALSITES
BUILDINGOR
SITE
DamandMillSite
DATE
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
c1850
DamandMillSite
c1850
DamandSawmillSite
c1860
N.Branch,LittleSalmon
River,EdickPondDr.
S.Branch,LittleSalmon
River
St.MarysCreek,
SparhawkRd.
50
SiteofDavidFrittsShingle
Mill
Stonewalls,partsofdam
andmill;ruins
FormerCheeseFactory
c1880
E.MainSt.(Village)
GasStation
1919
KeyBank
1924
IntersectionofNYS69A
andDillPickleAlley
(Village)
W.MainSt.(Village)
MasonicTemple
1909
MainSt.(Village)
MillsandPetrie
Gymnasium
1925
MainSt.(Village)
MillsandPetrieMemorial
Library
1922
IntersectionofMainand
ChurchStreets(Village)
MillsandPetrieTown
Clock
1923
IntersectionofMainand
ChurchStreets(Village)
MillsPetrieChapel
1917
ParishLaundromat
c1885
PleasantLawnCemetery,
NYS69A
W.MainSt.(Village)
FormerTalkoftheTown
Cafe
C1940
E.MainSt.
TypewriterFactory
1886
IntersectionofN.Railroad
St.andMillSt.(Village)
VillagePark
1911
BoundedbyS.RailroadSt.
andChurchSt.(Village)
Rectangularwooden
building
Formerlypartofpickle
factorycomplex
ClassicalRevivalstyle;
designedbyMax
Umbrecht
Twostorybrickbuilding
withroundtoppedfan
shapedwindowabove
entrance
BrickbuildingwithIndiana
limestonetrimminganda
pedimentedgableroof;
designedbyMertonE.
Granger
Onestorybrickbuilding;
designedbyMertonE.
Granger
Fourdialstructure,
mountedonabronze
base,cappedbyabronze
ornamentalball
TudorGothicstylebrick
chapel
Reminiscentofa
Homesteadstylehouse;
formerlyashoestore
Rectangularonestory
structure;formerlyagas
station,church
Brickindustrialbuilding
withafieldstone
foundation
FeaturesSoldiersand
Sailorsmonumentand
bustsofWashingtonand
Lincoln
CHURCHESANDCEMETERIES
BUILDINGORSITE
BidwellCemetery
DATE
c1830
LOCATION
IntersectionofBidwellRd.
andC.R.26
DutchHillCemetery
c1850
DutchHillRd.,southof
DESCRIPTION
Approximately215x125
indimension,hasactive
cemeteryassociation
Approx.225x165,ancient
51
FaithChurchofthe
Nazarene
GetmanCemetery
c1980
MerrittCornersCemetery
c1830
Mills&PetrieMausoleum
1899
MitchellCemetery
1850?
ParishCenterCemetery
C1850
ParishMethodistChurch
1900
PleasantLawnCemetery
C1806
PresbyterianChurch
c1890
FormerSt.AnnesCatholic
Church
c1920
WrightsonCemetery
C1850
c1870
NYS69
NYS69,eastofI81
IntersectionofC.R.26
betweenHappyValleyRd.
andStoneHillRd.
VoorheesRd.,eastof
ShelterRd.
mapletreesonsite
Contemporaryrectangular
building
AdjacenttoGetman
FamilyFarm
Approx.125x90,most
headstonesfixedinthe
groundwithno
inscriptions
PleasantLawnCemetery,
Graymarblestructurewith
NYS69A
marbledoors
C.R.26betweenDutchHill Approx.149x218,atsite
Rd.andtheAmboytown
ofMitchellfamilyfarm
line
C.R.22betweenNYS69
Smallestcemeteryintown
andC.R.26
withapprox.five
interments
RailroadSt.(Village)
Rectangularbuildingwith
belltower;elementsof
ShingleStyleandColonial
Revival
Approx.11acres,largest
S.RailroadSt.between
WoodviewDr.andvillage cemeteryintown,has
activecemetery
line
association
RiderSt.(Village)
Rectangularwooden
building;QueenAnnestyle
W.MainSt.
Squarebrickbuilding;
formerlytheOddFellows
Hall
NYS69betweenEllisCarr Situatedonaprominent
Dr.andC.R.22
hill
ENGINEERINGSTRUCTURES
STRUCTUREORSITE
BurgdorfRd.(abandoned)
MAP#
BurgdorfRd.Bridge
CoveredBridge
LOCATION
BetweenNYS69andC.R.
26
BurgdorfRd.betweenNYS
69andC.R.26
OffC.R.26
GeorgePhillipsBridge
SouthofC.R.26
52
DESCRIPTION
Steelandwood;spansN.
Branch,LittleSalmonRiver
Steelandwood;spansN.
Irontrussesandwood
plankdeck;spans
tributaryofN.Branch,
HappyValleyRd.Bridge
HappyValleyRd.
KippRd.Bridge
OffKippRd.
PhillipsMaunderBridge
ScribaRoad(abandoned)
OffC.R.26
BetweenDeanDr.and
PerryDrive
St.MarysBridge
St.MarysRd.
Stonearchedculvert
EastendofDeanDrive
STRUCTUREORSITE
BluebirdHavenTreeFarm
DATE
c1890
HouseFarm
c1840
LOCATION
NYS69A,southofPleasant
LawnCemetery
RiderSt.(Village)
KarboskiFarm
1850
NYS69,westofC.R.26
LutzFarm
1832
RiderSt.(Village)
SperlingFarm*
NY69,eastofCarr.Dr.
StelmashuckFarm
1837
NYS69,eastofDutchHill
Rd.
StoneFarmWall
c1820
YagerFarm*
Eastboundaryof
StelmashuckFarm,NYS69
oppositeVoorheesRd.
intersection
NY69,westofCarrDr.
LittleSalmonRiver
Concreteabutmentsand
base;piperailing;SpansN.
downstreamfrom
WhitneyPondDam
SpansN.Branch,St.
MarysCreek
SpansSt.MarysCreek
Segmentofroadbetween
ConstantiaandMexico
Point
Stone(obscured);spans
St.MarysCreek
downstreamfromSt.
MarysPond
PartofScribaRoad
AGRICULTURALSITES
DESCRIPTION
Italianatefarmhouse;barn
andsilo
GreekRevivalhousewith
barnsandoutbuildings
Federalstylehouse;oneof
afewactivefarmsin
Parish
GreekRevivalfarmhouse
withdairybarn
Federalstylehouse,barn
andequipmentbuilding
Federalstylefarmhouse
withavarietyof
agriculturaloutbuildings
Constructedofrounded
fieldstoneandflatMedina
sandstone
Federalstylehouseand
barn
*addedtolistbyPlanningBoard
53
APPENDIX E
EXCERPTED FROM WHY SAVE FARMLAND?, from THE AMERICAN FARMLAND
TRUST
Saving farmland is an investment in community infrastructure and economic development. It

supports local government budgets and the ability to create wealth locally. In addition, distinctive
agricultural landscapes are often magnets for tourism.
People vacation in the state of Vermont or Steamboat Springs, Colo., because they enjoy the
scenery created by rural meadows and grazing livestock. In Lancaster, Pa., agriculture is still the
leading industry, but with the Amish and Mennonites working in the fields, tourism is not far
behind. Napa Valley, Calif., is another place known as a destination for agro tourism. Tourists
have become such a large part of most Napa Valley wineries that many vintners have hired
hospitality staff. Both the valley and the wines have gained name recognition, and the economy
is thriving.
Agriculture contributes to local economies directly through sales, job creation, support services
and businesses, and also by supplying lucrative secondary markets such as food processing.
Planning for agriculture and protecting farmland provide flexibility for growth and development,
offering a hedge against fragmented suburban development while supporting a diversified
economic base.
Development imposes direct costs to communities, as well as indirect costs associated with the
loss of rural lands and open space. Privately owned and managed agricultural land generates
more in local tax revenues than it costs in services. Carefully examining local budgets in Cost of
Community Services (COCS) studies shows that nationwide farm, forest and open lands more
than pay for the municipal services they require, while taxes on residential uses consistently fail
to cover costs.9 (See COCS fact sheet.) Related studies measuring the effect of all types of
development on municipal tax bills find that tax bills generally go up as communities become
more developed. Even those communities with the most taxable commercial and industrial
properties have higher-than-average taxes.
Local governments are discovering that they cannot afford to pay the price of unplanned
development. Converting productive agricultural land to developed uses creates negative
economic and environmental impacts. For example, from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, the
population of Atlanta, Ga., grew at about the same rate as that of Portland, Ore. Due to its strong
growth management law, Portland increased in size by only 2 percent while Atlanta doubled in
size. To accommodate its sprawling growth, Atlanta raised property taxes 22 percent while
Portland lowered property taxes by 29 percent.
Vehicle miles traveled (and related
impacts) increased 17 percent in Atlanta but only 2 percent in Portland.
54

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TOWNANDVILLAGEOFPARISH

It is the recommendation of the Planning Committee that this plan be periodically

Parish has always supported several churches. The Methodists established a

The Town of Parish is served by three school districts: AltmarParishWilliamstown

Parish is serviced by approximately 82.6 miles of public roads. Of this total,

The availability of safe, affordable housing is of utmost importance to Parishs future.

Community infrastructure such as sewer and water allows residents of densely

The Village of Parish is home to essential government and community buildings

Rural Mixed Use

Town and Village of Parish

State Hwy 104

State Route 104

This information was compiled for planning purposes

Town and Village of Parish

State Hwy 104

State Route 104

This information was compiled for planning purposes

CURRENT LAND USE

Town and Village of Parish

State Hwy 104

State Route 104

This information was compiled for planning purposes

New York State

Town and Village of Parish

State Hwy 104

State Route 104

This information was compiled for planning purposes

Flood Hazard Areas

DEC Regulated Wetlands

Town and Village of Parish

State Hwy 104

State Route 104

This information was compiled for planning purposes

Saving farmland is an investment in community infrastructure and economic development. It

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