Volume 1: A Planning Guidebook for Cattaraugus County Elements of A Countywide Vision Smart Development for Quality Communities Series 
Cattaraugus County, New York, June 2001).

The Saratoga Associates and Cattaraugus County collaborated in the preparation of this comprehensive planning guidebook, which presents a new vision for Cattaraugus County in the 21st Century, as a new foundation for comprehensive planning. It includes topics from traditional planning methodologies, and new topics (e.g., cumulative effects). Six focus groups were held across the county to develop a consensus on community values and priorities, based on participant's comments, and based on previous work that produced a countywide vision framework, findings from in-depth studies on special topics, and visual preferences among a cross-section of community leaders.

This guidebook is the cornerstone of any future Comprehensive Planning for Cattaraugus County. This guidebook, along with Volume 2, was adopted (as a set) by the Cattaraugus County Legislature on May 26, 2004 as the initial components of a new Comprehensive Plan for the 21st Century. These two guidebooks (as a set) received the New York State Governor's Quality Communities Award For Excellence in October 2002.

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Table of Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – NEW LEADERSHIP - Page 1

   1. Encourage A New Type of Leadership - Page 1
   2. Define the Problem and A Solution - Page 2
   3. Identify Elements of A Countywide Vision - Page 3
   4. Celebrate Our Working Landscape - Page 6
   5. Take the Next Step – It’s Up to You - Page 7

2. FINDINGS ON COMMUNITY VALUES - CONSENSUS BUILDING - Page 16

   1. Seek A Vision for Sustainability - Page 17
   2. Build Economic Value - Page 23
   3. Improve Infrastructure for 21st Century - Page 24
   4. Promote Culture and Environment - Page 26
   5. Open “Windows of Opportunity” - Page 27

3. PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Page 28

   1. Guide Land Use Through Public Policy - Page 28
   2. Prepare for New Development - Page 29
   3. Renew Our Communities - Page 29
   4. Coordinate Infrastructure Development - Page 32
   5. Increase Our Capacity for Growth - Page 35

4. PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR COMMUNITY CHARACTER - Page 37

   1. Expand Community Visions - Page 37
   2. Embrace Community Stewardship - Page 39
   3. Establish Community Strategies - Page 40
   4. Enjoy Community Character - Page 40
   5. Engage In Inter-municipal Planning - Page 41

5. PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT - Page 43

   1. Balance Growth with Protection - Page 43
   2. Use Scientific Knowledge - Page 44
   3. Design A Better System - Page 46
   4. Support Comprehensive Planning - Page 47
   5. Create A Positive Vision for the Future - Page 50

6. CONCLUSION - Page 53

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