The Town of Waterford has experienced steady growth for several decades. The highest percentage of growth was seen in the 1980s, when many new housing units were built. From 1960 to 1990, the population of the Town increased by 43.7%. The Capital District Regional Planning Commission (CDRPC) predicts a moderate increase in population in Waterford for the next twenty years. The town's population is expected to grow by a modest 7% per year.
The current land use patterns in Waterford are presented for nine distinct sub-areas, which are outlined by specific boundary lines. Each sub-area displays distinctive land use patterns. General boundary descriptions include opportunities and constraints for each area. The following table presents these boundaries and their current use. The maps are complemented by an accompanying summary report. Once you've read this document, you'll be ready to decide which changes to make in the city.
Dial City is a small residential area centered around the former Ormsby-Laughlin Textile Mill, which is now home to the Ursula of Switzerland. This area is distinguished by a mix of single-family houses on small lots, which were built in the mid-nineteenth century. Many of these structures have been altered in later decades, with aluminum siding, and some have been converted into multi-family apartments.
The Town of Waterford, New York is located at the confluence of the Mohawk River, Hudson River, and New York State Barge Canal. Its natural transportation corridors, the Hudson River and the Mohawk River, provide a rich source of water power. Early manufacturing industries were fueled by water power, and the development of canals and railroads provided major stimuli for regional economic growth. The Erie Canal, the Champlain Canal, and the Hudson River all impact the area's growth and development.