Public Input for the City of Vassar's Master Plan

The process has begun to update the City’s Master Plan, which was last updated in 2015. Vassar’s new Master Plan will provide recommendations for Land Use, Zoning, Housing, Open Space and Recreation, Natural Resources, Municipal Services, Economic Development, and Transportation. The only way we can accomplish this task is by hearing from you, the citizens. Please give some thought to how you want to see the City developed in the future and give us your ideas for the betterment of the City. Over the next 12 months, we will gather your input so that we may craft a new Master Plan that reflects the values of Vassar citizens.

Thank you for taking the time to help us shape Vassar’s future.

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* 1. How long have you lived in the City of Vassar?

Less than one year

1-5 years

6-10 years

11-25 years

Over 25 years

Not Applicable

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* 2. Is your place of employment located within the City of Vassar?

Yes, I work within Vassar

No, I work outside of Vassar

Not Applicable

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* 3. What do you like about living in Vassar? Please select your top 3 responses.

Low tax rate

Affordable housing

Small city character

Family ties

Low crime rate

Convenience to work

Access to highways

Open spaces

School system

Municipal services

Historic resources

Recreation opportunities

Community activities

Employment opportunities

Convenience to services

Other (please specify)

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* 4. What do you find undesirable about living in Vassar? Please select your top 3 responses.

High tax rate

Lack of retail shopping opportunities

Downtown

Lack of a community-gathering place

School system

Lack of affordable housing

Municipal services

Lack of recreation opportunities

Excessive traffic

Lack of employment opportunities

Excessive development

Loss of small-city character

Other (please specify)

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* 5. The Master Plan Team is examining the following thirteen key topics. Please indicate their importance to you.

	Very important	Fairly important	Neutral	Fairly unimportant	Very unimportant
Entertainment opportunities	Entertainment opportunities Very important	Entertainment opportunities Fairly important	Entertainment opportunities Neutral	Entertainment opportunities Fairly unimportant	Entertainment opportunities Very unimportant
Recreational resources	Recreational resources Very important	Recreational resources Fairly important	Recreational resources Neutral	Recreational resources Fairly unimportant	Recreational resources Very unimportant
Non-motorized transportation facilities (e.g. bicycle lanes, paved paths)	Non-motorized transportation facilities (e.g. bicycle lanes, paved paths) Very important	Non-motorized transportation facilities (e.g. bicycle lanes, paved paths) Fairly important	Non-motorized transportation facilities (e.g. bicycle lanes, paved paths) Neutral	Non-motorized transportation facilities (e.g. bicycle lanes, paved paths) Fairly unimportant	Non-motorized transportation facilities (e.g. bicycle lanes, paved paths) Very unimportant
Community and cultural events	Community and cultural events Very important	Community and cultural events Fairly important	Community and cultural events Neutral	Community and cultural events Fairly unimportant	Community and cultural events Very unimportant
Employment opportunities	Employment opportunities Very important	Employment opportunities Fairly important	Employment opportunities Neutral	Employment opportunities Fairly unimportant	Employment opportunities Very unimportant
Vassar's overall appearance	Vassar's overall appearance Very important	Vassar's overall appearance Fairly important	Vassar's overall appearance Neutral	Vassar's overall appearance Fairly unimportant	Vassar's overall appearance Very unimportant
Shopping opportunities	Shopping opportunities Very important	Shopping opportunities Fairly important	Shopping opportunities Neutral	Shopping opportunities Fairly unimportant	Shopping opportunities Very unimportant
Public transportation	Public transportation Very important	Public transportation Fairly important	Public transportation Neutral	Public transportation Fairly unimportant	Public transportation Very unimportant
Public services	Public services Very important	Public services Fairly important	Public services Neutral	Public services Fairly unimportant	Public services Very unimportant
Sense of community	Sense of community Very important	Sense of community Fairly important	Sense of community Neutral	Sense of community Fairly unimportant	Sense of community Very unimportant
Sense of safety	Sense of safety Very important	Sense of safety Fairly important	Sense of safety Neutral	Sense of safety Fairly unimportant	Sense of safety Very unimportant
Road quality	Road quality Very important	Road quality Fairly important	Road quality Neutral	Road quality Fairly unimportant	Road quality Very unimportant
Housing choices	Housing choices Very important	Housing choices Fairly important	Housing choices Neutral	Housing choices Fairly unimportant	Housing choices Very unimportant

Recreation

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* 6. What types of recreational opportunities would you like to see more of in Vassar? (You can check more than one.)

Ball-fields

Hiking

Playgrounds

Tennis courts

Golfing

Swimming

Boating

Basketball courts

Soccer fields

Fishing

Bike trails

Ice skating rink

Performing arts

Other (please specify)

Signage

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* 7. When navigating through Vassar, do you find that destinations or districts (ex. shopping & dining districts, parks, library etc.) are clearly defined?

Yes

Yes, but needs improvement

Housing

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* 8. What types of housing do you think Vassar needs more of? (You can check more than one.)

Single-family homes

Two-family homes

Multi-family units

Apartments

Condominiums

Elderly housing

Subsidized housing for low-income citizens

Open space residential design

In-law apartments in existing residences

Assisted living senior housing

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Do you favor zoning changes that would allow for new construction/conversion of existing buildings, in order to provide housing for low/moderate income households?

Yes

Not Sure

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* 10. Would you support zoning for the mixed-use development in the downtown? (retail/office first floor and residential upper floors)

Yes

Not Sure

Energy, Utilities and Infrastructure

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* 11. How satisfied are you with the City’s access to internet services?

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Not satisfied

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* 12. How satisfied are you with the City’s wireless/cellular coverage?

Very satisfied

Somewhat satisfied

Not satisfied

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* 13. What types of renewable energy would you like to see the City support? (You can check more than one.)

Solar

Wind

Geothermal

None

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* 14. Residentially-based businesses/home occupations are currently allowed as of right throughout Vassar. Do you have any objections to how in-home businesses are regulated?

Yes

Not sure

If you object, please explain:

Economic Development

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* 15. What do you see as the benefit(s) of encouraging business/industrial development in Vassar? (You can check more than one.)

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* 16. What do you see as the disadvantage(s) of encouraging economic development? (You can check more than one.)

More automobile traffic

Changing the basic character of Vassar

More truck traffic

Damage to the environment

Disruption of neighborhoods

Loss of open space

City Services

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* 17. In general, how satisfied are you with how easily you can access City services and offices?

Very Satisfied

Somewhat Satisfied

Not Satisfied

Very Unsatisfied

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* 18. Have you visited the City’s website https://www.cityofvassar.org/ and what do you use it for?

Yes

Please specify the reason for your last website visit:

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* 19. Any suggestions for improving the City’s website?

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* 20. If you were to characterize the City of Vassar in one word, what would you call it?

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* 21. Describe your vision for the City of Vassar, or how you would like the City to be identified in twenty years.

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* 22. Optional: Please provide your name and email address.

Name

Email Address