Buffalo City Comprehensive Planning Public Opinion Survey Results

Question 1 - Quality of Life / Total # / % of 155 respond
Agriculture / 3 / 1.9%
Appearance of Homes / 3 / 1.9%
Community Services / 1 / 0.6%
Cost of Homes / 16 / 10.3%
Historical Significance / 2 / 1.3%
Low Crime Rate / 34 / 21.9%
Natural Beauty / 94 / 60.6%
Near Family and Friends / 58 / 37.4%
Near Job / 15 / 9.7%
Property Taxes / 3 / 1.9%
Quality Neighborhood / 18 / 11.6%
Quality Schools / 16 / 10.3%
Recreational Opportunities / 58 / 37.4%
Small Town Atmosphere / 99 / 63.9%
Other: Flat lot, river, quiet, hunting, fishing / 14 / 9.0%
on river-no tracks, now water/sewer cost
Question 2 - Rate Local Services
2a Ambulance
Excellent / 69 / 44.5%
Good / 65 / 41.9%
Fair / 7 / 4.5%
Poor / 0 / 0.0%
NA / 6 / 3.9%
2b Fire Protection
Excellent / 70 / 45.2%
Good / 58 / 37.4%
Fair / 9 / 5.8%
Poor / 0 / 0.0%
NA / 8 / 5.2%
2c Garbage Collection
Excellent / 25 / 16.1%
Good / 41 / 26.5%
Fair / 21 / 13.5%
Poor / 14 / 9.0%
NA / 42 / 27.1%
2d Park & Recreation Facilities
Excellent / 41 / 26.5%
Good / 83 / 53.5%
Fair / 17 / 11.0%
Poor / 2 / 1.3%
NA / 2 / 1.3%
2e Police Protection
Excellent / 12 / 7.7%
Good / 59 / 38.1%
Fair / 52 / 33.5%
Poor / 13 / 8.4%
NA / 7 / 4.5%
2f Public School System
Excellent / 34 / 21.9%
Good / 69 / 44.5%
Fair / 21 / 13.5%
Poor / 3 / 1.9%
NA / 17 / 11.0%
2g Recycling Programs
Excellent / 36 / 23.2%
Good / 67 / 43.2%
Fair / 26 / 16.8%
Poor / 11 / 7.1%
NA / 4 / 2.6%
2h Snow Removal
Excellent / 26 / 16.8%
Good / 77 / 49.7%
Fair / 29 / 18.7%
Poor / 7 / 4.5%
NA / 6 / 3.9%
2i Street and Road Maintenance
Excellent / 17 / 11.0%
Good / 63 / 40.6%
Fair / 52 / 33.5%
Poor / 16 / 10.3%
NA / 0 / 0.0%
Question 3 – Provide Communication
Direct Mailings / 117 / 75.5%
County Web Page / 26 / 16.8%
Radio / 0 / 0.0%
Newsletters / 70 / 45.2%
Newspaper Articles / 62 / 40.0%
Other - email, city webpage, facebook / 7 / 4.5%
Question 4 - Important to protect
4a Air Quality
Strongly Agree / 116 / 74.8%
Agree / 36 / 23.2%
Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
Strongly Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
No Opinion / 3 / 1.9%
4b Groundwater
Strongly Agree / 127 / 81.9%
Agree / 25 / 16.1%
Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
Strongly Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
No Opinion / 3 / 1.9%
4c Historic and Cultural Sites
Strongly Agree / 53 / 34.2%
Agree / 84 / 54.2%
Disagree / 4 / 2.6%
Strongly Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
No Opinion / 11 / 7.1%
4d Open Space
Strongly Agree / 70 / 45.2%
Agree / 69 / 44.5%
Disagree / 3 / 1.9%
Strongly Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
No Opinion / 11 / 7.1%
4e Rural Character
Strongly Agree / 74 / 47.7%
Agree / 67 / 43.2%
Disagree / 3 / 1.9%
Strongly Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
No Opinion / 8 / 5.2%
4f Wildelife Habitat
Strongly Agree / 84 / 54.2%
Agree / 59 / 38.1%
Disagree / 4 / 2.6%
Strongly Disagree / 0 / 0.0%
No Opinion / 7 / 4.5%
Question 5 - Improve Existing Housing
Strongly Agree / 33 / 21.3%
Agree / 76 / 49.0%
Disagree / 19 / 12.3%
Strongly Disagree / 3 / 1.9%
No Opinion / 19 / 12.3%
Question 6 - Types of Housing Needed
6a Single Family Housing
Strongly Agree / 30 / 19.4%
Agree / 66 / 42.6%
Disagree / 9 / 5.8%
Strongly Disagree / 7 / 4.5%
No Opinion / 32 / 20.6%
6b Duplexes - 2 units
Strongly Agree / 10 / 6.5%
Agree / 26 / 16.8%
Disagree / 38 / 24.5%
Strongly Disagree / 31 / 20.0%
No Opinion / 38 / 24.5%
6c Apartments - 3 or more units
Strongly Agree / 5 / 3.2%
Agree / 16 / 10.3%
Disagree / 38 / 24.5%
Strongly Disagree / 51 / 32.9%
No Opinion / 32 / 20.6%
Question 7 - Affordable Housing Needed
Strongly Agree / 18 / 11.6%
Agree / 65 / 41.9%
Disagree / 30 / 19.4%
Strongly Disagree / 12 / 7.7%
No Opinion / 22 / 14.2%
Question 8 - Elderly Housing Needed
Strongly Agree / 29 / 18.7%
Agree / 65 / 41.9%
Disagree / 21 / 13.5%
Strongly Disagree / 10 / 6.5%
No Opinion / 27 / 17.4%
Question 9 - Starter Homes Needed
Strongly Agree / 20 / 12.9%
Agree / 58 / 37.4%
Disagree / 34 / 21.9%
Strongly Disagree / 5 / 3.2%
No Opinion / 33 / 21.3%
Question 10 - Subdivisions should be
required to be plotted and approved
Strongly Agree / 82 / 52.9%
Agree / 49 / 31.6%
Disagree / 10 / 6.5%
Strongly Disagree / 1 / 0.6%
No Opinion / 10 / 6.5%
Question 11 - Use for Ag Land
11a Agricultural Use
Strongly Agree / 90 / 58.1%
Agree / 46 / 29.7%
Disagree / 5 / 3.2%
Strongly Disagree / 1 / 0.6%
No Opinion / 5 / 3.2%
11b Residential Use
Strongly Agree / 19 / 12.3%
Agree / 58 / 37.4%
Disagree / 37 / 23.9%
Strongly Disagree / 17 / 11.0%
No Opinion / 12 / 7.7%
11c Commercial Use
Strongly Agree / 13 / 8.4%
Agree / 34 / 21.9%
Disagree / 52 / 33.5%
Strongly Disagree / 31 / 20.0%
No Opinion / 13 / 8.4%
11d Any use
Strongly Agree / 9 / 5.8%
Agree / 16 / 10.3%
Disagree / 48 / 31.0%
Strongly Disagree / 48 / 31.0%
No Opinion / 20 / 12.9%
Question 12 - Landowners can develop land any way they want
Strongly Agree / 8 / 5.2%
Agree / 30 / 19.4%
Disagree / 63 / 40.6%
Strongly Disagree / 46 / 29.7%
No Opinion / 4 / 2.6%
Question 13 - View of landscape is important in development
Strongly Agree / 66 / 42.6%
Agree / 73 / 47.1%
Disagree / 2 / 1.3%
Strongly Disagree / 2 / 1.3%
No Opinion / 7 / 4.5%
Question 14 - Require driveways to
meet emergency vehicle standards
Strongly Agree / 50 / 32.3%
Agree / 74 / 47.7%
Disagree / 11 / 7.1%
Strongly Disagree / 4 / 2.6%
No Opinion / 13 / 8.4%
Question 15 - Road network meets needs
Strongly Agree / 28 / 18.1%
Agree / 110 / 71.0%
Disagree / 11 / 7.1%
Strongly Disagree / 2 / 1.3%
No Opinion / 1 / 0.6%
Question 16 - Local road cond. are adequate
Strongly Agree / 20 / 12.9%
Agree / 101 / 65.2%
Disagree / 25 / 16.1%
Strongly Disagree / 5 / 3.2%
No Opinion / 2 / 1.3%
Question 17 - Biking & walking are
important modes of transportation
Strongly Agree / 67 / 43.2%
Agree / 68 / 43.9%
Disagree / 6 / 3.9%
Strongly Disagree / 1 / 0.6%
No Opinion / 11 / 7.1%
Question 18 - More biking & walking
Strongly Agree / 47 / 30.3%
Agree / 48 / 31.0%
Disagree / 33 / 21.3%
Strongly Disagree / 9 / 5.8%
No Opinion / 16 / 10.3%
Question 19 - Rate the following
19a Roads
Excellent / 15 / 9.7%
Good / 81 / 52.3%
Fair / 50 / 32.3%
Poor / 8 / 5.2%
NA / 0 / 0.0%
19b Sidewalks
Excellent / 1 / 0.6%
Good / 8 / 5.2%
Fair / 4 / 2.6%
Poor / 12 / 7.7%
NA / 122 / 78.7%
19c Shares Ride Van Services
Excellent / 3 / 1.9%
Good / 9 / 5.8%
Fair / 12 / 7.7%
Poor / 18 / 11.6%
NA / 99 / 63.9%
19d Railroads
Excellent / 2 / 1.3%
Good / 17 / 11.0%
Fair / 13 / 8.4%
Poor / 3 / 1.9%
NA / 100 / 64.5%
19e Other - small town atmosphere, boat ramp
Excellent / 3 / 1.9%
Good / 0 / 0.0%
Fair / 5 / 3.2%
Poor / 0 / 0.0%
NA / 60 / 38.7%
Question 20 - Commercial/industrial
activities/truck traffic/manuf. located
20a In an existing city or village
Strongly Agree / 5 / 3.2%
Agree / 29 / 18.7%
Disagree / 60 / 38.7%
Strongly Disagree / 40 / 25.8%
No Opinion / 12 / 7.7%
20b Near a city or village
Strongly Agree / 12 / 7.7%
Agree / 76 / 49.0%
Disagree / 18 / 11.6%
Strongly Disagree / 26 / 16.8%
No Opinion / 13 / 8.4%
20c Anywhere in Buffalo County
Strongly Agree / 9 / 5.8%
Agree / 30 / 19.4%
Disagree / 52 / 33.5%
Strongly Disagree / 40 / 25.8%
No Opinion / 14 / 9.0%
Question 21 - BC should work to coordinate efforts to recruit new business/industry
Strongly Agree / 35 / 22.6%
Agree / 72 / 46.5%
Disagree / 20 / 12.9%
Strongly Disagree / 11 / 7.1%
No Opinion / 7 / 4.5%
Question 22 - Provide land w/ infrastr
for industrial or comm use
Strongly Agree / 12 / 7.7%
Agree / 47 / 30.3%
Disagree / 49 / 31.6%
Strongly Disagree / 24 / 15.5%
No Opinion / 13 / 8.4%
Question 23 - Require muni water and
sewer at edge of town development
Strongly Agree / 18 / 11.6%
Agree / 50 / 32.3%
Disagree / 40 / 25.8%
Strongly Disagree / 15 / 9.7%
No Opinion / 25 / 16.1%
Question 24 - Rate the following
24a Agriculture Related Businesses
Essential / 44 / 28.4%
Very Important / 51 / 32.9%
Important / 37 / 23.9%
Not Important / 11 / 7.1%
No Opinion / 7 / 4.5%
24b Commercial and Retail Development
Essential / 16 / 10.3%
Very Important / 40 / 25.8%
Important / 61 / 39.4%
Not Important / 27 / 17.4%
No Opinion / 6 / 3.9%
24c Downtown Development
Essential / 13 / 8.4%
Very Important / 26 / 16.8%
Important / 50 / 32.3%
Not Important / 48 / 31.0%
No Opinion / 12 / 7.7%
24d Home Based Businesses
Essential / 10 / 6.5%
Very Important / 28 / 18.1%
Important / 63 / 40.6%
Not Important / 28 / 18.1%
No Opinion / 18 / 11.6%
24e Industrial and Manufacturing Development
Essential / 10 / 6.5%
Very Important / 28 / 18.1%
Important / 55 / 35.5%
Not Important / 44 / 28.4%
No Opinion / 11 / 7.1%
24f Tourism and Recreation
Essential / 51 / 32.9%
Very Important / 52 / 33.5%
Important / 29 / 18.7%
Not Important / 12 / 7.7%
No Opinion / 6 / 3.9%
Question 25 - Pursue energy alternative
25a Ethanol Plants
Strongly Agree / 1 / 0.6%
Agree / 11 / 7.1%
Disagree / 58 / 37.4%
Strongly Disagree / 52 / 33.5%
No Opinion / 20 / 12.9%
25b Solar Energy
Strongly Agree / 31 / 20.0%
Agree / 63 / 40.6%
Disagree / 21 / 13.5%
Strongly Disagree / 17 / 11.0%
No Opinion / 15 / 9.7%
25c Wind Energy
Strongly Agree / 26 / 16.8%
Agree / 53 / 34.2%
Disagree / 28 / 18.1%
Strongly Disagree / 19 / 12.3%
No Opinion / 17 / 11.0%
25d Biodiesel Production
Strongly Agree / 0 / 0.0%
Agree / 23 / 14.8%
Disagree / 47 / 30.3%
Strongly Disagree / 41 / 26.5%
No Opinion / 30 / 19.4%
25e Biomass Production
Strongly Agree / 3 / 1.9%
Agree / 25 / 16.1%
Disagree / 47 / 30.3%
Strongly Disagree / 36 / 23.2%
No Opinion / 31 / 20.0%
25f Other – (Hydro, NOT Cap2020 or coal)
Strongly Agree / 3 / 1.9%
Agree / 10 / 6.5%
Disagree / 6 / 3.9%
Strongly Disagree / 11 / 7.1%
No Opinion / 33 / 21.3%
Question 30 - Gender
Male / 84 / 54.2%
Female / 69 / 44.5%
Question 31 - Age
18-24 / 2 / 1.3%
25-34 / 7 / 4.5%
35-44 / 6 / 3.9%
45-54 / 23 / 14.8%
55-64 / 48 / 31.0%
65 and older / 62 / 40.0%
Question 32 - Employment Status
Full Time / 55 / 35.5%
Part Time / 7 / 4.5%
Self Employed / 8 / 5.2%
Unemployed / 5 / 3.2%
Retired / 73 / 47.1%
Other / 0 / 0.0%
Question 33 - Place of Residence
Own / 147 / 94.8%
Rent / 0 / 0.0%
Other / 4 / 2.6%
Question 34 - Number of Adults
0 / 2 / 1.3%
1 / 33 / 21.3%
2 / 111 / 71.6%
3 / 2 / 1.3%
4 / 0 / 0.0%
5+ / 0 / 0.0%
Question 35 - Number of Children
0 / 121 / 78.1%
1 / 9 / 5.8%
2 / 7 / 4.5%
3 / 3 / 1.9%
4 / 0 / 0.0%
5+ / 0 / 0.0%
Question 36 - Household income
Less than $15,000 / 8 / 5.2%
$15,000 - $24,999 / 11 / 7.1%
$25,000 - $49,999 / 38 / 24.5%
$50,000 - $74,999 / 35 / 22.6%
$75,000 - $99,999 / 16 / 10.3%
$100,000 or more / 18 / 11.6%
Question 37 - Yrs lived in Buffalo Cty
Less than 1 / 7 / 4.5%
1 - 4 / 17 / 11.0%
5 - 9 / 26 / 16.8%
10 - 24 / 40 / 25.8%
25 + / 57 / 36.8%
Question 38 Type of property
Primary year round
2 years or less / 7 / 4.5%
2 - 5 years / 13 / 8.4%
6 - 10 years / 18 / 11.6%
>10 years / 81 / 52.3%
Seasonal
2 years or less / 2 / 1.3%
2 - 5 years / 2 / 1.3%
6 - 10 years / 7 / 4.5%
>10 years / 11 / 7.1%
Business
2 years or less / 0 / 0.0%
2 - 5 years / 0 / 0.0%
6 - 10 years / 0 / 0.0%
>10 years / 3 / 1.9%
Undeveloped
2 years or less / 2 / 1.3%
2 - 5 years / 0 / 0.0%
6 - 10 years / 1 / 0.6%
>10 years / 3 / 1.9%
Question 39 Should Buffalo City increase law enforcement
Yes / 34 / 21.9%
No / 72 / 46.5%
Don't know / 39 / 25.2%
Question 40 Should properly licensed ATV, golf carts, etc. be allowed on streets
Yes / 69 / 44.5%
No / 63 / 40.6%
Don't know / 13 / 8.4%
Question 41 Should a bike/ walk trail be developed between BC & Cochrane
Yes / 98 / 63.2%
No / 28 / 18.1%
Don't know / 19 / 12.3%
Question 42 Should BC develop camping
Yes / 33 / 21.3%
No / 83 / 53.5%
Don't know / 29 / 18.7%

Buffalo City Comprehensive Planning Committee

Chair: Lisa Schuh

Clerk: Jenny Ehlenfeldt

Members: Russ Lorenz, Matt Ward & Ben Holien

* 615 surveys were mailed Dec.2012

* 155 surveys returned by Jan 31, 2013

* 25% return rate

Written Responses to Survey Questions:

26. What do you enjoy most about living in Buffalo City?

Easy Access to recreation on Mississippi River
Scenery and small town atmosphere/ everyone friendly
Environment & Friends
On the banks of the river/great city for biking and walking
Close to river/nice area for walking
Beauty of area
Close to river
Rural small town feeling, river, parks, big yards, no sidewalks, food water from well
City is very quiet, neighbors are all extremely kind, during summer city is full of seasonal home owners which respect the people that live here year round. most everybody knows each other, city is like one big family
River people and small businesses