Draft Zoning Code is Released |
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Distinguished Artist Award Ceremony |
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New Grants Activity Update |
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New Kingston City Land Bank |
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My Kingston Kids Fest & Circus Tomorrow |
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Roadwork Update for Next Week |
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Save the Date: Memorial Day Events |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
This week we released the first draft of the new zoning code and map, which incorporates much of the feedback we have received from residents since the rezoning process began. This draft will go through several revisions before being considered by the Common Council this fall.
As we’ve seen in other communities, form-based code is a proven framework for guiding neighborhood change while preserving the unique assets and character of a community. We look forward to hearing robust feedback from the community, as this will ultimately affect every Kingston resident. Please join one of several public meetings to learn more!
-Steve
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There are currently 482 active cases in Ulster County and 74 in Kingston.
Latest news:
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Kingston Releases Draft Zoning Code |
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The City of Kingston has released an initial draft of the revised zoning code. The draft code sets new standards that address community goals, such as increased walkability and historic preservation, improving housing choice and affordability, supporting resiliency, mobility choice and healthy lifestyles through public open space, waterfront, and street design standards, and by removing barriers for small, incremental development. Once adopted, the new code will impact all development in the City of Kingston.
The City of Kingston will host a series of public meetings to solicit public feedback. At the hybrid (in-person and virtual) public meeting on Wednesday, June 8, representatives from Dover Kohl and the City of Kingston will provide an overview of the draft code. At a series of open house events, staff from Dover Kohl, City staff, and Common Council members will be available to answer any questions.
Draft Code Public Meeting
June 8 at 6:00pm at City Hall (hybrid, registration required)
City Hall Open House
June 10 from 2:00-4:00pm
Wards 4, 5, 6 Neighborhood Open House
June 10 from 5:30-7:00pm – location TBD
Wards 1, 2, 3 Neighborhood Open House
June 11 from 10:30-12pm – Old Dutch Church (272 Wall St.)
Wards 7, 8, 9 Neighborhood Open House
June 11 from 1:00-2:30pm – Rondout Neighborhood Center
Draft Code Public Hearing
Written public comments on the first draft will be accepted until July 1, 2022. Residents can provide feedback by attending a public meeting or submitting a comment at Engage Kingston. The draft can be found here.
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The Distinguished Artist Award Goes To... |
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The third bi-annual City of Kingston Distinguished Artist Award will be presented to performance artist Jaguar Mary X. The Distinguished Artist Award ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 26 at 5:30pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Jaguar Mary X (they/them) is a performance artist, glossolalia vocalist, filmmaker, and hoop dancer. Their specific concerns, and the directives that have driven their art practice, engage black feminist discourse, questions of history, and ritual performance and practice in art. Jaguar Mary has shown and performed internationally at the Johannesburg and Havana Biennials, the New Museum, Museum of Modern Art, KARST Gallery in the UK and Dietch Projects in New York. In 2020, they were commissioned to make work for the Public Art Fund and the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation. They also received grants from the Jerome Foundation and the New York Foundation for the Arts. Jaguar Mary is a graduate of the Whitney Independent Study Program, has an MFA in Film and Video from California Institute for the Arts, and received a full scholarship from Pratt Institute and completed an MFA in Performance and Performance Studies in May 2019. Jaguar Mary X is a Kingston resident.
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Collaborating with departments across City government, the Office of Grants Management secures and manages competitive grant funding for public infrastructure projects, programs, and services that improve the quality of life for residents. Funding sources include state and federal government agencies and private foundations.
Several times per year, the Grants office produces a Grants Activity Update to report on the status of the City's active awards and the projects they fund. Check out the latest Grants Update here.
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New Kingston City Land Bank Home Sale |
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The Kingston City Land Bank (KCLB) has announced the sale of the latest newly-renovated and affordable home, located at 149 Greenkill Avenue. The fully rehabbed 3-bedroom, 1-bath home features a new kitchen, bathroom and large, private backyard. Renovations began late last year and are expected to be completes in July.
“After many years of vacancy and neglect, we are thrilled to add 149 Greenkill to the list of comprehensively and beautifully renovated homes that the KCLB has returned to our community,” says Daniel Kanter, Board Chair of the KCLB. “This home is classic Kingston through-and-through, and no detail has been overlooked by our design team or our incredible crew from Maeda Contracting. It’s ready for its next 100 years and beyond.”
This is the fourth home in KCLB's Affordable Homeownership PILOT program. Launched in 2020, the program is designed to purchase vacant properties from the City of Kingston for the full price of back taxes and transform them into well-designed affordable homes. Selling properties this way is one of 4 Pathways the Land Bank uses to return properties to the tax rolls.
The household and income limits to purchase can be found in English and Spanish here. To begin the process to apply to purchase, complete the form at kclb.org/homes by June 15, 2022.
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My Kingston Kids Fest & Circus Tomorrow! |
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For the 5th annual MyKingstonKids Fest, this year's event will include a circus! All are welcome tomorrrow at Barmann Park from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
Event highlights include the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus grand finale performance, MyKingstonKids Dance Party, Seashell & Ava’s Garden Party, Inspire Awards, circus activities, face painting, balloon twisting, carnival games and more. Costumes are encouraged!
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Together for Mental Health Community Walk |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and so much research shows that being outdoors, connecting with others, and moving our bodies all support good mental hygiene. Join Heal Well Kingston (one of Live Well Kingston's focus teams) for a leisurely community walk on Saturday, May 21 at 10am The rain date will be May 28. More info here.
Meet near the bike shelter in the Hannaford Parking lot near Aaron Court and walk the midtown linear park. All abilities welcome, free and family friendly.
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Upcoming Memorial Day Events |
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The annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade will be held on Monday, May 30, 2022. The ceremony will begin promptly at 1:00pm in Veterans’ Park in front of City Hall, located at 420 Broadway. Retired Army Sergeant First Class Bill Forte will give the Memorial Day Address.
At 1:45pm, the Memorial Day Parade will step off from Andrew St. and will proceed along Broadway towards Uptown Kingston. Businesses and organizations interested in participating in the parade should contact Parade Chairman Chuck Polacco at 845-389-1560 or 845-331-7722 or Kingston Veterans Association Chairman Bill Forte at 845-339-1486. Parade registration is free. Registration forms can be found here.
Monday, May 30
Memorial Day Ceremony
1:00pm
Veterans’ Park in front of City Hall, 420 Broadway
Memorial Day Parade
Line up at 12pm, step off at 1:45pm
Step off begins at Andrew St.
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Roadwork Update for Week of May 23 |
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Paving on Abeel Street was completed this week. The next round of paving will be announced in the next couple of weeks. For more information, visit https://kingston-ny.gov/paving.
Central Hudson: Main installation will continue on Clifton Avenue (Aleo Post to Meade St and Highland Ave to Park St) and Aleo Post Lane with road closures and lane changes.
Service replacements will continue next week on Clifton Avenue (Highland Avenue to Sylvester St), Hemlock Avenue, and Wynkoop Place with detours and road closures.
Regular Roadwork Updates will be posted on the City's website here.
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The Kingston 311 app, website and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests. The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations.
This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Issues with snow removal and reporting of vehicles and sidewalks not in accordance with the Snow Emergency restrictions can also be submitted via Kingston 311. Photos can also be attached to illustrate service orders. Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us.
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Sent on behalf of:
Mayor Steven T. Noble
845.334.3902
The purpose of this newsletter is to share important information, project updates, pictures and news from the City of Kingston. For more detailed information, visit:
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