Village of Churchville to hold meeting to discuss draft vision plan

The Black Creek is one area that planners in Churchville are studying. Village officials have spoken with the Monroe County Parks Department about entering a 99-year lease for all the parkland south of Black Creek and east to the village line. The development of bike trails, lookout areas, stores, restaurants, athletic fields, and other amenities are all possibilities. This photo by Rick Nicholson captures the stream's banks in autumn and is representative of the waterway's vistas. It is used for illustration and may not represent areas considered for enhancement or development.

West (shown above) and east sides (left) of the Central Business District in Churchville are depicted on a concept drawing that includes possibilities for streetscape improvements, Main Street facade ideas, traffic calming features, new parking designs and bridge enhancements. Residents are invited to discuss the plans at a meeting October 25. The Village now needs to get a 'vision' proposal together in hopes of securing some funding to make the plan happen. Photos by Rick Nicholson.

Village of Churchville to hold meeting to discuss draft vision plan

Will an amphitheater and a community center be constructed in the Village of Churchville in the future? Could there be new bike trails, stores and restaurants along the Black Creek? All are strong possibilities, and are included in the village's vision plan. The vision plan will guide the village as it grows and develops economically while ensuring that it retains its small town characteristics and identity, said Deputy Mayor Nancy Steedman.

This past May, nearly 100 residents and business leaders participated in a Charrette that the village hosted, where they had the opportunity to share their ideas and be directly involved in the process of creating a vision plan. "There was a lot of positive talk after the Charrette," said Steedman. "I hope that the enthusiasm and excitement is still there. Our steering committee is still excited and working hard."

Since the Charrette, the village's steering committee has met almost every month, along with the Rochester Regional Community Design Center (RRCDC), a not-for-profit organization made up of urban and city planners who are assisting Churchville with the planning process.

Focus areas
At a September 21 meeting, approximately 14 members of the business community were shown a concept drawing for the Central Business District that included streetscape improvements, Main Street facade ideas, traffic calming features, new parking designs and bridge enhancements. The drawing also showed proposed sites for Luster Coate, and new retail apartment complexes.

The Black Creek is also another area that the village is focusing on. The village has spoken with the Monroe County Parks Department about entering a 99-year lease for all the parkland south of Black Creek and east to the village line. The development of bike trails, look out areas, stores, restaurants, athletic fields, as well as an amphitheater and a community center are some of the ideas proposed along Black Creek. If the village can get the necessary funding, Steedman said that she hopes the amphitheater and community center can be built within the next five years. "We have moved ahead and have contacted Senator Jim Alesi and County Legislator Robert Colby regarding these types of projects. The village now needs to get a proposal together and hope to be able to secure some funding to make these happen," she explained.

The third issue that the village is looking at is the economic development of vacant land. This includes professional and commercial development and mixed housing in a traditional neighborhood setting.

Public meeting
All of these ideas will be incorporated into a draft vision plan that will be presented to the public from 6 to 8 p.m. on October 25 in the village board room. "I want to encourage all residents to attend and provide their input," said Steedman. "This will be an open house format with food, music and an opportunity to see concept drawings for each of the three selected focus areas."

From the input received from the public about the draft vision plan, the village's steering committee with the RRCDC will revise and make the necessary changes until a final plan is completed. A presentation of this final vision plan is expected to occur sometime in January 2007. The vision plan will then be incorporated into a larger joint village/town comprehensive plan.