Mayor's Message

City of Kingston Passes New Zoning Code

Kingston Organics Update

Free Concert at Old Dutch Church

Dietz Stadium Project Update

Kingston Water Department Project to Begin

Roadwork Update for Week of August 7

City of Kingston Job/Board Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

This week, I signed the new zoning code into law. I am very proud of the new form-based zoning code, which has taken into consideration best practices from other municipalities and ample community feedback. This new code is truly the vision of our community–it will encourage incremental growth and smart development across the City, while preserving our open spaces. Crucially, this code reform will reduce barriers to the creation of new housing at every level and will help us combat the housing crisis. Ultimately, these changes to the code will make a more equitable city for all.

This is arguably the most significant land-use decision to be passed by the Common Council since the adoption of Kingston’s current zoning code in the 1960s. I’m proud of the years-long effort to update the City’s zoning code and map and the level of community input received on this project. I enthusiastically endorse the vision proposed by the code to right-size parking requirements, improve walkability, preserve open space, encourage infill development that is compatible with Kingston’s historic urban form, and meet other planning goals outlined in the City’s comprehensive plan. Most of all, this rezoning is about reducing barriers to the development of new housing and encouraging the development of different housing types in greater quantity.

I thank the Common Council for moving swiftly in considering the proposed zoning code, our wonderful consultants at Dover Kohl, and all the residents who participated in the drafting and adoption process.

-Steve

City of Kingston Passes New Zoning Code

Mayor Noble has signed the new citywide zoning code into law. The City of Kingston is now one of only a few communities nationally that have entirely replaced an existing zoning code with a citywide form-based code, making our community a model for comprehensive change and progress.

On August 1, the City of Kingston’s Common Council unanimously approved adopting a form-based zoning code in the City of Kingston. The code, developed over the course of three years with community input and the assistance of consultants at Dover Kohl & Partners, encourages affordable housing, promotes walkable and accessible neighborhoods, safeguards historic building patterns, and preserves Kingston’s open spaces. The new code also allows the development of mixed-use spaces and diverse housing types, provides incentives and mandates for creating affordable housing, regulates short-term rentals, and sets standards for creating a safer, more walkable city. 

The new code, which goes into effect immediately:

• Ends minimum parking requirements citywide
• Legalizes accessory dwelling units, an affordable and flexible housing type, citywide
• Legalizes multifamily and infill development citywide, including “missing middle” housing such as duplexes, townhouses, and live/work housing types, to encourage economic diversity and incremental development types
• Streamlines the development approvals process through a new Minor Site plan review process
• Creates flexible form-based standards to ensure that new development contributes to the City’s walkability and historic assets
• Legalizes many types of mixed-used development, including corner stores/neighborhood businesses

The new code is also easier to understand and use, and will balance goals for preservation, equity, sustainable growth, and change. Kingston’s success provides a potential roadmap for other New York municipalities looking to increase the size and quality of their housing stock at a time when Statewide housing action has stalled. Crucially, the code was drafted to respond to the unique concerns of Kingston residents. 

For more information, visit https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward. 

Mayor Noble signing the Zoning Code into Law on Wednesday

Kingston Organics Program Update

In its initial three weeks, the Kingston Organics program collected over 1 ton of food scraps.

Kingston Organics Program Phase 1, a free and voluntary year-round food waste diversion program for all City of Kingston residents, officially launched on July 10, 2023. A proactive approach to solid waste management, the Kingston Organics program currently has 601 public participants, and registration remains open at Engage Kingston. Once registered, participants are provided a welcome packet complete with instructional information, a map, lock code, and FAQ, and are then able to utilize one of the 11 food scrap drop-off locations across Kingston.

A critical component of the public food scraps collection system is that the bins at the drop-off locations are locked. Registered participants receive the code for their location, and only those who have registered have access. Registration is free and accessible to all, in person, online, or over the phone. Locking the bins has been proven to be a crucial component to success for several reasons:

• Registration (keeping track of participation) enables the City of Kingston to design and adapt the existing program and future phases for the appropriate capacity.
• Registration allows the program manager to communicate with participants, which wouldn’t be possible without a means of contact through registration.
• Locking the system prevents any passersby from dropping in contaminants, and ensures that every single user has received an informational packet with acceptable items. This is the only way for the City to prevent contamination, which could jeopardize the program’s success. 
• Locking the system also prevents nuisance animals from entering the sheds and totes.

In addition to the public drop off sites, the City has launched food scraps collection in all ten public municipal buildings. The City’s fire stations, community centers, and municipal office buildings including City Hall have implemented food scrap stations, which serve city staff as well as visitors.

Food scraps gathered by the program are transported to a local composting facility for processing, diverting it from being trucked hundreds of miles away to Seneca Meadows Landfill with the remainder of municipal solid waste.

The City has applied for grant funding to advance Phase 2, which would include voluntary curbside collection for businesses and residents. For more information and to register for a Kingston Organics food waste drop-off location, please visit: www.engagekingston.com/Kingston-organics.

Free Concert at Old Dutch Church Tonight

A special concert event will be hosted by the City of Kingston at Old Dutch Church tonight featuring Juma Sultan Aboriginal Society from 7pm-8:30pm. The event is family-friendly, and free and open to the public.

Juma Sultan is a musician, composer, archivist, activist, and educator. He shot to international fame as a member of Jimi Hendrix's Gypsy Sun and Rainbows at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

Aboriginal Music Society has been an evolving collective of musicians for over 50 years, playing a unique, ever-changing, genre-morphing style of music. The current iteration of the band is a 9-piece exploration of spirit grounded in sound, playing long-form improvisational pieces based on Juma’s original compositions.



Juma has played and collaborated with countless significant artists including Jimi Hendrix, Archie Shepp, Sonny Simmons, Pharaoh Sanders, James “Blood” Ulmer, Dave Burell, Sam Rivers, and many, many more.

Dietz Stadium Improvements Project Update

Construction contracts have been signed, and a notice to proceed has been issued for the Dietz Stadium Improvements Project. Mobilization is expected to begin on Friday, August 11, 2023.

As part of the pre-construction work, electric service was terminated to the site and all underground utilities and site features have been marked. Dietz Stadium will remain open to the public until dusk for the next week, or until mobilization begins. Once construction begins, fencing will be installed around the stadium and the facility will be closed to the public.

The Dietz Stadium Improvements Project is a $20+ million improvement project to renovate and modernize the stadium complex. Dietz Stadium renovations include: 

• Ext. renovations of the grandstand, including improved ADA-access, a 50-yard line access tunnel to the locker rooms, new benches, and press box

• Interior renovations of the grandstand, including upgrades to the restrooms, new locker rooms, new mechanical/ electrical services, coaches offices, training room, and improved storage facilities

• New track surfacing, new turf field, and new LED stadium lighting

• New scoreboard with large screen broadcasting

• All new underground utilities: water, sewer, storm, electric & communications

• Removal of the old concession building and admin building and construction of an open-air pavilion with food truck hook-ups, concession booth, and referee locker room

• Visitor side concession area with two restrooms

• Expanded grassed practice area w/ a track & field equipment storage building

• New gated ticket booth grandstand entrance

• Bus parking at stadium entrance, new parking lots with green infrastructure

• Improved access loop road and sidewalks around the stadium

• Two-way access/egress to Hurley Avenue as well as Joys Lane

• Relocated basketball court with benches and lighting

• Pedestrian access/egress walk to Joys Lane near Kingstone Insurance

• New stadium perimeter fencing

• Improved Wi-Fi and security cameras

• Landscaping, including 120+ new trees

The Dietz Stadium Improvements Project was kick-started with $2.5 million from the City of Kingston’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative award which helped create the Dietz Stadium Master Plan and designs as well as portions of Phase 1, such as the Andretta Pool Improvements and the installation of a new splash pad. The City of Kingston has also received two New York State grants for green infrastructure improvements to the parking lot and surrounding drive, $1.5 million from the Environmental Facilities Corporation and $1 million from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Once construction begins, the project is expected to take 14-16 months. Follow the project at https://engagekingston.com/dietz-stadium-improvements.

Andretta Pool will remain open until the end of the summer season, with parking available. 

Kingston Water Department Valve Project to Begin

The Kingston Water Department’s valve replacement project, which includes installing new distribution system valves to replace inoperable valves, will allow the Water Department to better isolate the lines in critical areas in the event of issues or main breaks. The project also includes replacement of critical transmission valves and improvements to our SCADA system.

The project will involve some lane/road closures and detours. Temporary water shut-offs will be necessary customers in the project area. KWD will be doing outreach to residents in the affected areas, and will be putting door hangers on the homes/businesses that are anticipated to be without water. The Kingston Water Department Facebook page will be updated as work progresses.

The work schedule, subject to change, is expected to be:

· Greenkill at Boulevard/ Greenkill and Washington: week of August 7

· Elmendorf at the rail trail/Elmendorf and Smith: week of August 14

· Clinton and St. James: week of August 21

· Foxhall and Broadway/Foxhall and Wynkoop: week of August 28

· Restoration of sites: week of September 4

· Estimated completion date: September 7

The valve replacement project is funded with $600,000 from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and $900,000 from a Water Infrastructure Improvement Act grant. 

Roadwork Next Week & Uptown Paving

Central Hudson will be paving in the Uptown Kingston district after completing the gas replacement project earlier this summer.

The roads to be paved are:

• Fair St. between N Front St and Pearl St

• Main St. between Wall St and Clinton Ave

• Clinton Ave. between Main St and Albany Ave

• John St. between Green St and Clinton Ave

• Crown St. between N Front St and Green St

Paving work is expected to begin on/around August 28, and is expected to take approximately 10 days to complete. Paving will occur Monday-Friday between 7:30am-5:00pm. Individual streets will be posted with detailed No Parking signs 24 hours prior to work occurring allowing adequate time for parked vehicles to be moved from the roadway.

Henry Street Safe Routes to School Project: Crews are currently replacing storm and sewer connections at Fair Street and Henry. Concrete sidewalks are being installed along the north and south side of Henry Street, and bluestone sidewalks are being installed along the north side of Henry Street.

ADA Ramps Citywide: crews are currently working on final restoration of Clifton Avenue, and will move to installing ramps at Garden St and Smith Ave, Highland Ave and E Chester St, and Highland Ave and Hasbrouck Pl.

Wurts Street Bridge: painting and blasting to continue for approximately 2-3 more weeks. Steel repairs to continue, as well as electrical conduit installation, and the installation of pedestrian rail. NYSDOT expects that the loud noise from paint/blasting and the noise from the steel repairs will continue sporadically for the next few weeks and will be completed mid-August. 

Upgrades to the Washington Avenue railroad crossings will begin Monday, August 14.



Regular roadwork updates can be found here.

New curb ramp and sidewalk on Highland Ave & Park St

City of Kingston Job and Board & Commission Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring a Motor Equipment Operator. Job description and more details are available at https://kingston-ny.gov/Employment.

The City of Kingston has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community.

Currently there are openings on the Kingston City Land Bank board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Applications are available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.