The official project website, provided by the MRB Group / EDR Project Team
Workshop Held : Public Feedback Received
Steering Committee Member Paul Engineri speaks with a resident at the Public Workshop held on October 7. Together they discussed the future of Ovid while reviewing information about community demographics and maps showing current land uses in the Town.
Welcome to the Official Site of the Town of Ovid Comprehensive Plan
Supervisor Walt Prouty and the Town Board have initiated a public-
Check here often for updates and key information about the planning process. The site also provides a convenient way to contact the Comprehensive Plan Committee.
Meet the Committee…
Click here
For all public and general committee meetings, minutes are being taken and will be provided for review by the public on the “Plan Process” page of this website.
Thank you to all involved in this important planning process!
Workshop Focused on Community Assessment
The Steering Committee for the Town of Ovid Comprehensive Plan hosted a community workshop on Saturday, October 7. The objective was to further involve residents in the process to develop a new Comprehensive Plan -
(Read full article, and see the workshop boards/illustrations on page 2)
Several Ovid community members participated in a public workshop held by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Commitee and consultants MRB Group/EDR on December 12th at the firehouse on Brown Street.
The initial presentation which opened the workshop provided background information and an update, citing the committee’s extensive efforts to engage the community in a planning process which will culminate in creation of a comprehensive plan for the Town of Ovid.
To date, the community has been encouraged to attend planning meetings, which are open and held at the firehouse. The committee created a “communication portal” website, specific to the project, which gives updates and provides access to the committee for sharing questions and comments. In addition, the committee invited about 150 community members to participate in 7 different focus group discussions to gain insight into the perspective and specific concerns of various groups including senior citizens, youth, businesses, farmers, and area municipal/institutional leaders. The committee prepared a community survey which was circulated by members and at key area locations, in additon to being mailed to all households in Ovid. The survey was also provided online at the project website, with a link published on the Town website.
Following the discussion on the status of the process, Project Leader Jane Rice of EDR asked participants to examine the interactive project boards on display in the room and provide comments for each. The boards included images and information under consideraton by the committee. Rice encouraged participants to provide their own opinions, written directly on the boards or on attached notes.
For those who could not attend the workshop, the
committee has placed images of the boards on the project website (click to enlarge images). The committee has invited residents to review them and provide comments using the “contact” page located there.
Ovid community members are urged to continue to follow the project process and participate in discussions. Meeting dates and times are announced here.
Workshop Display Boards and Exercises (Click to view full images)
Draft Comprehensive Plan Available for Public Review
The Town of Ovid Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee has completed its task of preparing a new Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Ovid, and has made the document available for public review. In addition to being posted here and on the Town website, the Town Board will make hard copies of the draft document available for public review at the Clerk’s office and the library.
Residents are encouraged to read the plan and offer their comments to the Town Board. A public hearing to receive comments will be held on November 14th at 7:00 pm at the Town Meeting, to be held at the Fire House on Brown Street.
The document is still called a “draft” because the Town Board can potentially amend its contents, if it determines that comments or suggestions received during the public hearing warrant making revisions.
Furthermore, adoption of the plan by the Town Board is subject to a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process. That process ensures that “Interested Agencies” such as neighboring municipalities have the opportunity to review the draft and make comment to the Town Board. The draft will also be reviewed by Seneca County’s Planning Department and Agricultural Enhancement Board.
“SEQR creates open communication about proposed projects and municipal actions,” said Shaun Logue, MRB Group’s Senior Planner and SEQR expert. “It protects the interests of the general public, and ensures that governing boards follow a good process and inform everyone before making decisions that impact the community,” he said.
Comments regarding the draft plan will also be accepted by the Town Clerk in written form, if received prior to the public hearing. They can be mailed to Michele Vangalio, Town Clerk, Town of Ovid, 7099 Orchard Street, Ovid, NY 14521.
On Wednesday, January 9, 2019, the Town Board completed the required SEQR process, and formally adopted the finalized Comprehensive Plan. The document was prepared by a Steering Committee appointed by the Town Board, whose members worked over a two-
"The Comprehensive Plan is intended to serve as a resource for the community -
"While the Town Board adopted the plan, that doesn't mean they have enacted its recommendations," Smith explained. "The recommendations included will instead provide a good foundation for future contemplation by the Town Board. Most importantly, the plan captures what community members value most about Ovid," she continued. "As the Town considers moving towards implementation, having a completed comprehensive plan will strengthen the Town's applications for State and Federal funding resources," Smith said.
"Jane Rice, Erica Tauzer, Shaun Logue, Connie Sowards and I really enjoyed our individual roles working with the entire community. Despite many differing opinions among steering committee and community members, everyone was respectful and listened to all points of view. We came to understand that people in Ovid really appreciate their community and truly care about fellow community members. The process outcome was a great first step in identifying shared values and moving toward supporting those values in a collaborative way," Smith concluded.
The Public Hearing for the plan was conducted in December, following the document's review by the Seneca County Planning Board, whose members recommended its adoption. The Town Board postponed that decision, allowing its members to consider the comments received during the hearing.
"The Town Board appreciates the hard work of the Steering Committee," said Council Member Joe Borst, at the January Town Board meeting. He commented on the many successful ways the process involved residents during its two-
"In addition to surveys, there were many forms of community input, including focus groups, interviews, workshops -
"We appreciate everyone's time and consideration during this long and involved process," said Borst. The plan was then adopted unanimously by the board members present.
Plan Adopted at January Town Board Meeting
