Bath residents debate comprehensive plan
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - A long-range comprehensive plan for the Town of Bath came under its first public review last week, as about 35 area residents discussed the document during a meeting at the Steuben County Civil Defense Building.

Some supported the plan, and even urged the town consider more aggressive land-use regulations; others opposed the plan, suggesting it is a precursor to a restrictive town-wide zoning law.

Either way, the chairman of the Comprehensive Planning Committee maintained the plan itself is not a law. "This could be a prelude to land use regulations and/or zoning," said Hal Bailey. He noted, however, the authority for accepting the plan lies with the Bath town board, which also would be responsible for the legal implementation of its recommendations.

Bath town residents Joseph and Margot Cecce both questioned whether the plan is too restrictive, with Mr. Cecce declaring his opposition to zoning. He also expressed concern the plan could restrict the freedom of farmers who want to sell their property.

On the other end of the spectrum, Bath village resident David Walczak told committee members the comprehensive plan "is not all that strong. ... To control growth and maintain the integrity of the community, zoning would be the best way of doing that."

Committee member Edward Spencer noted the plan tries to protect the agricultural traditions of the town. "We tried to make this as strong as possible for upholding the agriculture of the area."

At the same time, committee members struggled with ways of promoting economic development. Noting Bath is midway along the Corning-Alfred Ceramics Corridor, Spencer raised the possibility Bath could become "a transportation hub" as well as a potential residence for teachers and ceramic engineers.

One area of economic development the committee is not in favor of promoting is adult-oriented businesses. Bailey noted the committee originally was formed to investigate ways of limiting adult businesses in the municipality. Spencer advised the audience the comprehensive plan proposes a 1,000-foot buffer between an adult business and any residence or public gathering place.

The committee's next step is to present the plan to the Bath town board for its own consideration. The town board, Bailey said, is likely to hold additional public hearings on the matter.