What Carlton residents have told the plan so far
Two rounds of public input are in: the spring 2026 community survey and the September 23 public workshop. Here's what came out of both, in residents' own words where possible.
September 23, 2026
Participants emphasized protecting water resources, more support for small businesses and start-ups so businesses stay and new ones come, and improving community spaces and roadways. Participants also raised concerns about the land use map.
- SWOT analysis board (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats)
- Priority theme identification
- Vision board
- Review of the current land use map and the draft Future Land Use Map (FLUM)
Key takeaways
- 01
Rural character and quality of life are highly valued — Carlton's peaceful atmosphere, waterfront, natural beauty, and strong sense of community.
- 02
Protecting and enhancing the waterfront and natural resources is a major concern, including shoreline protection, water quality, erosion, and impacts from future large-scale development.
- 03
Point Breeze and other community assets present opportunities for recreation, tourism, economic development, and community gathering spaces.
- 04
Participants want stronger support for local businesses and community initiatives, including a clearer, more streamlined permitting and approval process.
- 05
Infrastructure and community services need continued attention — roads, pedestrian and bicycle connections, waterfront access, emergency services, public transportation, and parks.
- 06
Housing options are an emerging concern, with interest in ADUs, senior housing, and other choices that fit Carlton's rural character.
- 07
Future development should be carefully managed — support for appropriate growth, with concerns about large-scale residential development, data centers, renewable energy projects, and other uses that could affect farmland, natural resources, and community character.
- 08
Communication and engagement can be strengthened through more consistent information about Town meetings, initiatives, projects, and ways to participate.
SWOT board — in residents' words
Comments posted on the Strengths / Weaknesses / Opportunities / Threats board. Lightly edited for typos only.
- Stunning waterfront
- Best quality of life, mostly rural
- The lighthouse
- Strong long-time residents and friendships that have lasted many generations
- Town Board should encourage cooperation and new initiatives
- Need further shoreline protection
- Legal notices should be on the Orleans Hub and/or the Lake Country Pennysaver
- Town actions to support small business start-ups should be quicker
- The Carlton Cemetery takes up a lot of land and is not used — available land needs to be used
- Is it difficult for future businesses to get permits from the Town?
- Lack of public transportation — an RTS route in Orleans County is needed
- Need a noise ordinance with a decibel limit
- Code enforcement needs to be consistent — clear rules, clear enforcement
- Engage local developers on potential opportunities in Carlton
- Update guidelines for future use/development
- Fix the Parkway and plow it in the winter
- Better ambulance service — 45 minutes to get emergency service is not good
- Engage with and help the neighborhood association
- Lower the speed limit on Lakeshore Rd from Transit Rd to Point Breeze Rd, and on Point Breeze Rd to Marsh Creek — many pedestrians, bikers, and dog walkers
- More social media posts about public meetings — the more information the better
- Speed limit signs on the Oak Orchard River — a lot of speeding south of the Yacht Club
- Enhance Point Breeze — the Town should be aggressively seeking funding
- Improvements to parks and another community center
- Easier access to the jetties once people drive out to the Point — where do they walk from there?
- Promote the lighthouse
- Gas lines brought from Intergrow all the way down Rt 98 through the Station
- Cormorants are running the waterways and eating baitfish — why is nothing being done?
- High-water impact areas — strengthen them so the waterfront can last
- Lack of housing — need ADUs, senior housing, and affordable housing
- Pollution
- Solar, wind, and data centers are a threat
- Seasonal
- Cost of utilities is hurting households
- Don't take over the state property
- Conduct a survey: "Do you favor or oppose the use of Carlton land for renewable energy and/or data centers?"
- STAMP
Priority themes
Define rural character, improve parks and community spaces, and better promote assets such as Point Breeze.
Streamline business approvals and permitting for new and small businesses, maintain the Parkway, and adopt short-term rental regulations that support both residents and visitors.
Control the cormorant population (linked to water quality issues), test the Oak Orchard River and other waterways regularly, and guard against data centers, STAMP, wind and solar, and other large-scale development that could destroy productive farmland or hurt water quality.
Sewer system, roadway improvements with pedestrian and bicycle space, fixing erosion along Waterport Carlton Rd, expanded waterfront access, more housing options such as ADUs, and keeping Carlton a safe place to live.
The draft vision statement
Participants were overall supportive of the draft vision and suggested refinements:
- “Carlton is the prettiest corner of Orleans County — build on that.”
- “Carlton is peaceful and quiet.”
- “Make sure it is easy to start a business here.”
The land use maps
- Include forever-wild and conservation lands on the FLUM, especially campgrounds and other naturalistic parcels.
- The draft may dedicate too many large areas of land to housing — participants do not want to see many more large housing developments.
- Several questions about how vacant land is classified and where the data came from (answered below).
How is “vacant land” classified on the draft FLUM?
Vacant parcels on the map were identified using the property classification codes the Town assessor assigns to each parcel. Those codes are part of the statewide system maintained by the NYS Office of Real Property Tax Services; parcels shown as vacant carry a 300-series code (Vacant Land). A 300-series parcel can still have a small shed, garage, or other minor improvement. If someone owns a parcel with their home on it plus adjoining parcels with no structures, the adjoining parcels may be classified vacant. Some parcels may also show as vacant because assessor records haven't caught up with recent construction or a change in use. The parcel data came from the Orleans County Real Property Tax Services office and was current as of April 2025.
What happens next
- 1Compile feedback from the workshopLate September 2026
- 2Finalize the Future Land Use Map and actionsBy mid-October 2026
- 3Develop strategies, actions, and the implementation plan; write the planSeptember – November 2026
- 4Adoption — public hearing, SEQR environmental review, Planning BoardDecember 2026
Timeline per the Steering Committee’s September 1 agenda and the September 23 workshop slides. Dates can shift — check Meetings for the latest.
100+ survey responses
- 1Community Facilities
- 2Environment
- 3Transportation
- 4Economic Development
- 5Housing
- 6Land Use
- Preserve what makes Carlton unique
- Improve waterfront access and recreation
- Support local businesses and amenities
- Strengthen Point Breeze and other destinations
- Maintain and improve community facilities and infrastructure
- Balance growth with preservation
Dining was the most frequently named missing amenity (46 respondents). Most respondents were long-time residents aged 55+; only four were 18–34 — so input from younger residents and families is especially needed.
Missed the workshop? You can still weigh in.
Every plan section has an open comment thread and a support / mixed / oppose input form. Input here is compiled and shared with the Steering Committee while strategies and actions are written this fall.