Appendix

Appendix:
~~Community Survey Response~~

A community survey, summarized and excerpted below, was mailed to all postal patrons in the Town of Fairfax in 1997. Responses to the survey were utilized throughout the planning process, and are the basis for many of the concepts, goals, objectives, and policies found within. Several of the questions required a written response, and are not included below, since the nature of the responses makes them difficult to summarize.

Please check the level of importance you attach to the following Community needs:

# of responses:

Most Moderately Least

important important important

Agriculture 83 63 4

Business & Commerce 40 69 41

Open Land/Wildlife Habitat Preservation 89 50 5

Recreational Facilities 40 67 42

Diversified Housing Units 6 38 100

Scenic Beauty/Rural Character 112 32 2

Schools 82 53 11

Public Water Services 40 56 54

Other: 9

Fairfax should foster (check one):

# of responses:

No Growth 29

Growth of all types in all areas 12

Growth only in predetermined "growth areas" 92

Other 18

Has recent development in Fairfax been (check one) ?:

# of responses

Too fast 76

Too slow 8

Reasonable 69

Of the following potential development related impacts, which three are of greatest concern to you? (check three only)

# of responses

Providing water supply and sewage disposal 25

Providing Road maintenance, fire/rescue/police, and waste disposal 77

Increased demand on schools 89

Strip development 47

Effects on property taxes 106

Change in existing "character" of your area 87

Traffic congestion and safety 23

Other: 6

Do you recycle?

Yes: 144 No: 9

Please indicate the degree to which you would like to see the following areas protected from development:

Always Sometimes Not

Protected Protected Protected

Forest Land 65 77 8

Agricultural Land 81 61 7

Open spaces for recreation 52 84 10

Wildlife habitat/winter deer range 90 43 4

Ground water areas 100 51 2

Scenic vistas 85 56 5

Ridge Lines 58 73 6

Historic sites 89 52 2

Natural areas for rare plant and animal species 90 50 5

What level of activity do you feel the Planning Commission should maintain to handle growth in Fairfax?

# of responses:

None 1

Minimum to protect public health and safety 12

Level necessary to protect the public, the environment, and

establish a manageable growth rate based on the capacities of

the town services 109

Active participation such as soliciting affordable housing,

industry and business as well as active conservation programs 28

Other 6

If you own over 10 acres, the chances of your subdividing that land for development within the next five years are:

# of responses:

Probable 4

Possible 7

None 45

Own less than 10 acres 73

The three most important factors that define rural character in Fairfax are:

# of responses:

Wildlife habitat 39

Scenic views/vistas 68

Forest/Woodland 50

Mountains/Hills 40

Agricultural/Farm Land 74

Peace & Solitude 94

Historic Sites/Features 4

Working landscape 15

Village areas 28