Although there has not been a shift in opinion among residents of the Mid-Hudson region as a whole on this issue since 2002, several changes are evident at the county level.
Five years ago, Greene County residents divided over whether more development in their community was needed or whether the pace of development was about right. In 2002, 46% of Greene County residents believed there was a need for more development while 48% felt that the rate of growth and development was reasonable.
Today, more than half of Greene County residents are satisfied with the pace of growth and development in their community. Only one-third of county residents believe there is not enough. In fact, about one in ten residents now think their community is overdeveloped.
Many residents of Dutchess County also feel differently than they did in 2002. Five years ago, half of county residents believed the amount of local development was appropriate while less than one-third thought there was too much growth.
Now, Dutchess County residents divide on the issue. 42% are satisfied with the pace of growth in the area but 39% believe their community is overdeveloped.
Since 2002, there has been a modest shift in residents’ attitudes on this issue in Ulster County, as well. Five years ago, slightly more than half of Ulster County residents were satisfied with the pace of growth in their community. Today, slightly less than half, 46%, describe the pace of growth as about right. In 2002, about three in ten Ulster County residents thought there was a need for more development, and only 17% felt the pace of growth was occurring too quickly. Now, more than one out of four Ulster County residents thinks there should be more development in their community, and over one-quarter of county residents are concerned there has been too much growth.
In Putnam County, 46% of residents are satisfied with the amount of development in their community. 36% of county residents believe there is too much growth. Five years ago, county residents were divided on the issue.
There has been little change in the opinions of residents in Columbia and Orange Counties on this issue in the past five years. Six in ten Columbia County residents continue to believe the amount of growth in their community is about right. 48% of Orange County residents share this view about their community.
41% of residents in Sullivan County are satisfied with the pace of growth in their community, but nearly as many, 37%, think the pace of development is too slow.
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