December 8, 2023 - In this issue: | |
Free 2-Hour Holiday Parking | |
Short-term Rental Registration Update | |
Midtown Park Named: Post Office Park | |
Golden Hill Project Awarded $15M Grant | |
Ole Savannah Christmas Spectacular Tomorrow | |
Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
Dietz Stadium Construction Update | |
Roadwork Update for the Week of December 11 | |
City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities | |
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Mayor's Message:
Dear Friends -
Today, I was pleased to provide the public with an update about our short-term rental (STR) registration. Since implementing the new online registration portal, the vast majority of STR owners have registered or ceased operations to comply with the new rules. I want to thank our Building Department and our Housing Director for all they have done to create this registration system and to work collaboratively to bring all operating STRs into compliance.
To help support local businesses this holiday season, once again the City of Kingston is offering free two-hour parking in the municipal lots and metered spaces. We hope this parking amnesty period will encourage residents and visitors to shop in Kingston’s unique stores and dine at our many wonderful restaurants.
-Steve
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Free 2-Hour Holiday Parking | |
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The City of Kingston will offer free 2-hour holiday parking from Saturday, December 9 through January 1, 2024. Parking in municipal lots and at meters will be free for up to 2 hours.
During this time, City parking staff will focus on meter repair and routine maintenance but will issue safety violations such as blocking fire hydrants, parking in handicap spots, double parking, and expired inspections. Vehicle owners must observe all traffic and parking rules and park in legal spots. Regular enforcement of parking meters will resume on January 2, 2024.
The 2024 parking permits for the City’s municipal lots are now for sale and renewal at https://kingstonny.cmrpay.com. The permits are $100 and are valid from January 1, 2024–December 31, 2024. More information at https://kingston-ny.gov/Parking.
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Update: Short-term Rental Registration & Compliance | |
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Mayor Noble is pleased provide an update on the City of Kingston’s short-term rental registration.
As of August 2023, renting or advertising a property for rent on a short-term basis without a license is in violation of the City of Kingston’s zoning code. Per the new form-based zoning code, short-term rental (STR) operators must register with the City’s Building Department, and the number of full short-term rental permits is capped at 106. The number of allowable full STRs equals 1% of Kingston’s total housing units. Full-time short-term rental permits are only allowed in T5 or T4 zoning transects and only one short-term rental is allowed per property. No short-term rental permits will be issued for any ADU.
To date, the short-term rental registrations include:
Full: 87
Resident-occupied: 10
Limited (less than 30 days per year): 8
The registry can be found here: Short-Term_Rentals_City_Kingston_December_2023.xlsx
Though registration is required, there is no cap on limited short-term rentals (less than 30 days a year) or resident-occupied short-term rentals. The City of Kingston is currently in the process of taking legal action against approximately 20 unregistered short-term rental operators.
Registration fees are as follows: Full-time $650; Limited $125; and Resident-occupied $125. Unlicensed STRs will be subject to enforcement and significant fines. The current violation fees, per day rented or per day advertised, are $1,000 for the first instance, $5,000 for the second instance, and $7,500 for a third or subsequent instance.
Once the full-time cap of 106 units has been reached, registration will be closed. The City of Kingston short-term rental registration portal is available at https://cityofkingston.munirevs.com/.
A fact sheet with frequently asked questions can be found here. Additional questions can be directed to the City of Kingston’s Office of Housing Initiatives at 845-334-3928 or the Building Safety Dept. at 845-331-1217.
To report complaints regarding a City of Kingston STR, visit https://str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=1684.
The new citywide form-based zoning code was developed over the course of three years with community input and the guidance of consultants at Dover Kohl & Partners. The new code 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 City of Kingston’s zoning map can be found here. More about the new zoning code at https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward.
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Midtown Park Space Named: Post Office Park | |
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After a community input process, the name for the greenspace at Broadway and Prince Street chosen by the public is Post Office Park.
The City of Kingston put out an open call for name suggestions on Engage Kingston, and, once collected, the Recreation Commission was asked to narrow the 62 suggestions to 10 choices. A public poll at Engage Kingston with the top 10 names was open from October 27 to December 1, 2023. With 26% of the vote, Post Office Park was the clear favorite amongst the 10 choices. The name selection will now go to the Common Council for adoption.
“I thank the community for all their input on this process! The public chose to honor the former Kingston Post Office, which was built in 1908 and sadly torn down 60 years later,” said Mayor Noble. “The Kingston community has mourned the loss of that architectural gem ever since, so I think this new park name will be a great way to honor the lost Post Office building. The landscaping plan, by a local landscaping design firm, also pays homage to the Post Office. I’m looking forward to seeing this park flourish into a great community gathering place.”
The greenspace on either side of Prince Street at Broadway was created when the City of Kingston bought an abandoned fast-food restaurant and realigned the intersection. The Broadway Grand Intersection Realignment Project was completed in October 2022 and local landscaping design firm KaN Landscape Design was contracted to develop landscape design plans. Phase 1 of the design is expected to be constructed in 2024.
More information about the plans for Post Office Park can be found at www.engagekingston.com/post-office-park.
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Golden Hill Project Awarded $15M | |
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The proposed Golden Hill affordable housing development received a major boost with a $15 million Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) grant from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), the largest possible award by the program. This award, combined with previous Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) awards, serves as an affirmation from NYS OTDA that the project will help meet a dire need in the county for both affordable and supportive housing. The project is a partnership of the County, affordable housing developer and manager Pennrose, and Family of Woodstock, which will provide supportive services and hold 51 percent ownership of the project.
The $15 million award will account for over 18% of the more than $80 million expected development cost and represents the final needed element of the funding package assembled from dozens of private equity and public program sources to finance the development of the Golden Hill community. Golden Hill was awarded the funding at the Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation’s December 6th meeting.
“I am pleased to see that NYS OTDA has recognized what we have known here in the City of Kingston for quite some time – that Kingston has a housing shortage and the Golden Hill development will bring much-needed housing that Kingston families, seniors, and singles can afford,” said Mayor Noble. “In addition to the vital housing the Golden Hill community will bring to the city, the development agreement that the City of Kingston has reached with the project team will include millions of dollars of new funding for our people, parks, and programs. This partnership will truly be a benefit for our whole community, and I am excited to see this $15 million HHAP grant move the Golden Hill project one step closer to becoming a reality.”
Family of Woodstock and Pennrose were selected to redevelop the former Ulster County jail site into an intergenerational mixed-income and mixed-use community based on the joint venture’s vision for the project and extensive experience in the development of affordable and workforce housing throughout New York State. By partnering with Pennrose, Family is able to leverage its expertise and 50-year history of serving the community as a local nonprofit partner and housing operator with Pennrose’s 50-year experience as a renowned developer and operator of high-quality affordable homes.
The project, at 63 Golden Hill Drive, will include the development of 164 housing units with 249 beds, approx. 5,000 square feet of community service facility space, a 600 kW solar power system, six playgrounds designed for a variety of ages, and a trail connection to the Empire State Trail. Notably, 48 of these units will provide permanent supportive housing for domestic violence survivors and frail elderly individuals through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI). The inclusive design also serves a diverse range of age groups and income levels (30-80 percent of Area Median Income) to meet the varied needs of the local population. Family of Woodstock selected the target population based on the severe lack of housing for domestic violence survivors and frail elderly individuals in the county. Golden Hill aims to be more than just a housing project; the goal is to build a holistic community, addressing critical gaps in housing services and fostering a supportive environment.
More info at https://ulstercountyny.gov/news/executive/golden-hill-project-awarded-15-million-state-homeless-housing-assistance-program
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Ole Savannah Christmas Event Tomorrow | |
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Ole Savannah's Christmas Spectacular is tomorrow, Saturday, December 9, starting at 6pm. The event will feature Christmas tunes from Michael Dell and special guest singer Jodi Amato, and more festivities including:
Cirque de Soleil & World-Class Aerialist Acts
Laser Light Show
Winter Olympians & Champion Figure Skaters
Fire Performance by Infinity Fire
Tree Lighting Ceremony & Ice Rink Opening
World Ice Events
and Santa & Mrs. Claus!
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Mayor Noble's Tuesday Radio Show | |
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Mayor Noble's weekly radio show is back! "It's the Mayor" airs on Tuesdays at 5pm on Radio Kingston. This week, Mayor Noble spoke with DPW Superintendent Ed Norman and Parking Supervisor Vinnie Perry about Snow Emergency procedures and parking rules.
A reminder to sign up for Snow Emergency alerts here.
Click below to listen to their conversation! Next week's guests will be City of Kingston Housing Director Bartek Starodaj discussing local housing issues.
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Dietz Stadium Construction Update | |
Demolition is substantially complete. Crews have moved into the re-build phase. New footings are being formed for the several out-buildings around the site and concrete pouring is expected to start next week. | |
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Central Hudson: Service replacements will continue on W. Chester St.
Wurts Street Bridge: Mesh panels on pedestrian walkway installed. Lighting installed. Noise will continue to be loud on occasion while steel repairs are performed. The site construction is expected to shut down from December 22, 2023 until January 8, 2024.
Regular roadwork updates can be found here.
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Lighting installation on Wurts Street Bridge | |
City of Kingston Job & Board Opportunities | |
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
[email protected]
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:
www.kingston-ny.gov
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