Kingston Forward: Citywide Rezoning

Kingston Forward is an ongoing planning initiative to engage the community in describing the desired form and character for future improvements and preservation throughout the City. Input gathered will shape updates to the City’s zoning code. An updated zoning code can support community goals such as historic preservation, economic development, increased housing options, resilient neighborhoods, the design of streets and public spaces, and so much more.

There will be many opportunities to be involved in the rezoning process. Register at EngageKingston to receive news, updates, and alerts about the Kingston Forward process.

Kingston Forward 3.0 Draft

Version 3.0 of the Kingston Forward draft has been released here (PDF) (Publish Date December 2, 2022). An electronic version of the 3.0 draft is available via Gridics here.

To view the official Laws & Rules Committee Public hearing on the form-based code from February 13, 2023, click here. To read all public comments received during the Common Council's public comment period that closed on February 18, see here, here, and here.

To view public comment and staff responses on the 2.0 draft, click here.

To view public comments and staff responses on the 1.0 draft, click here.

Kingston Forward Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

Via Resolution 50 of 2023, On March 7, 2023 the Common Council voted to accept a draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement ("DGEIS") as complete in scope and content. The Common Council also voted to schedule a public hearing on March 23 and a public comment period that runs from March 7 until April 10.

Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement Public Hearing

March 23, 2023, 6:30pm

Conference Room 1, City Hall

Written comments are strongly encouraged and may be emailed to Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives, via bstarodaj@kingston-ny.gov or dropped off at the City Clerk’s Office.

Link to Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

Link to Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement Appendices

The DGEIS considers all potential environmental impacts and reasonable project alternatives to the adoption of the Citywide Form-Based Code. If applicable, it also recommends mitigation measures where impacts might occur. The DGEIS includes a discussion on issues such as plants & animal resources, open space & recreation, historic resources, and community services & infrastructure.

Kingston Forward 3.0 Draft - What's Changed?

The zoning team received hundreds of comments on the second draft of the Kingston Forward zoning code. In response to the feedback, major changes made for the 3.0 draft include:

• Changes to short-term rental rules. The new rules would set a cap on the number of whole-unit rentals in the City of Kingston and impose other restrictions, including limiting the number of short-term rentals to one per lot. The new rules also clarify that after proper registration with the Building Safety Department, room short term rentals and whole-unit short-term rentals for less than thirty days per year would be allowed in most areas of the City. These rules would permit a limited amount of short-term rental activity and ensure this activity does not impact the supply of long-term rental housing. To read more, see Section 405.21 D (2) Short -Term Rentals.
• New incentives and requirements for affordable and workforce housing. Projects between 20 to 49 units will have to provide 5% workforce housing units in addition to the 10% affordable housing units. Projects with 50 or more units will have to provide 10% workforce housing units in addition to the 10% affordable housing units. Finally, new incentives have been added to encourage developers to meet or exceed the affordable housing standards, including site plan fee schedule discounts and an expedited review process. Bonus height provisions introduced in the first draft would also still apply. To read more, see Section 405.19 Affordable Housing Standards.
• A new administrative process for street design standards. This new process clarifies how the street design guidelines would be enforced and outlines a review and approval process that involves the Complete Streets Advisory Council. To read more, see Article 5 Figure 405.23.C.
• A new height overlay that would allow greater building heights in certain areas along Broadway and Cornell. This new height overlay would allow new projects to have up to six stories in certain locations along Broadway and Cornell Street by right. These are areas of the City that already have many five and six story buildings. The location of this new height overlay has been marked in the Special Requirements Map (Figure 305.3.B).
• A new Waterfront Special District. To be able to be even more specific in designating standards that are in keeping with the community vision for the waterfront, previous City plans for the area, and comments we have received from this area, a new designation has been created: Special District Waterfront (SD-W). This new special district incentivizes mixed-use development and public open space along E Strand and other areas along the Rondout and respects the cultural, historic, and natural resources of the area. The special district also recognizes that any development must be designed and built to withstand environmental conditions such as flooding. To read more, see Article 3 Section 405.11 A.

Many other small changes were made throughout the code in response to public feedback. These changes are highlighted in orange.

Why Reform The Zoning Code?

• Create a larger supply of affordable housing. The updated zoning code mandates that 10% of units in any development with 7 or more units be affordable, and incentivizes additional levels of affordability via site plan discounts, height bonuses, and expedited review. It also allows for more diversity in housing types, such as duplexes, triplexes, and other multi-family residences, to meet a wide range of needs and price points.

• Legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs). ADUs are small housing units built on the land of pre-existing homes. Allowing the construction of ADUs could increase housing supply, generate extra income for homeowners, and provide nearby yet separate residences for families with an aging parent or young adult.

• Regulate short term- rentals. The updated zoning code places a strict cap on short-term rentals equal to 1% of the city's long term housing units (approximately 100 units). Any short-term rental currently registered for operation would count toward the citywide cap, and a single property would not be able to have more than one short-term rental. These changes will prevent short-term rental activity from affecting long-term housing supply.

• End parking requirements. Arbitrary citywide parking requirements often render new housing development unviable and hinder the launch of small businesses. Developers will be able to determine what amount of parking an area requires, making effective use of space and increasing the walkability of the City.

• Legalize corner stores. Corner stores and other mixed-use developments increase city walkability and ensure easy access to goods and services.

• Ensuring the right new development. The updated code ensures that new developments will fit in with their surroundings, preserving Kingston's historic urban form.
  
  

Kingston Forward - Helpful Resources

New to the Kingston Forward process? Start here:

• This is a recording of the citywide presentation that took place on June 8 on Draft 1.0 For the Spanish version of the presentation, click here. The presentation gives a basic overview of what’s happening and what a form-based code is.
• This is a recording of the citywide presentation that took place on September 15 on Draft 2.0 The presentation provides an overview of what changed between Draft 1.0 and Draft 2.0 based on public input.
• For frequently asked questions, see here.

Kingston Forward Project Timeline

Version 3.0 of the Kingston Forward Draft has been submitted to the City of Kingston Common Council for review. On January 10, 2023, the Common Council voted to refer the 3.0 draft to the City of Kingston Planning Board, the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission, and the Ulster County Planning Board.

A public comment period for Version 3.0 closed on February 18, 2023.

Version 3.0 of the Kingston Forward Draft will now undergo review under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act. This includes the adoption of a final environmental impact statement.

Following an environmental review, administrative referrals, and the public comment period, we expect the City of Kingston Common Council will consider adoption of the final draft in spring 2023.