Mayor's Message

Kingston Snow Emergency Procedure

Form-Based Zoning Code Wins National Award

Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board

City Acquires New Municipal Lot

Midtown Winter Wonderland Tomorrow

Indoor Pickleball Club

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

City of Kingston Board & Commission Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

We've had some recent snow, which makes it a good time to remind folks of our Snow Emergency procedure. Please read the information carefully, as we will be ticketing and towing vehicles not in compliance with Snow Emergency parking restrictions. The streets get cleared much more quickly and safely when everyone follows the rules.

Next week, City offices will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday in observance of the Christmas holidays. DPW will be picking up refuse/recycling on Tuesday, December 24. Wednesday and Thursday pick-up will be delayed one day.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday!

-Steve

Kingston Snow Emergency Procedure

When a Snow Emergency is declared, the best place for your vehicles is off the street.

The City of Kingston allows alternate side parking during snow emergencies, except on Snow Emergency Routes and dead end streets. For a list of Snow Emergency Route streets, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/snowemergency

On all other streets, parking will be permitted on the odd side of the street on odd numbered days and on the even side of the street on even numbered days. "Odd side" is the side of the street in which the house numbers are odd. "Even side" is the side of the street in which the house numbers are even. The odd or even day is determined by the calendar date.

At 7:00am the following day, vehicles must switch to the opposite side of the street.

Snow emergencies and related parking restrictions are typically in effect for at least two days in order for both sides of the street to be cleared. You must adhere to these parking restrictions and move your vehicle regardless of whether or not the weather has improved and/or the street looks clear. A separate alert will announce the end of a Snow Emergency.

For the duration of a Snow Emergency, meters are suspended and no payment is required to park on the street.

All vehicles not in compliance of Snow Emergency parking rules will be ticketed and towed.

To sign up for Snow Emergency alerts via call or text, click here.

Kingston's Zoning Code Wins National Award

The City of Kingston’s form-based zoning code has won another award. This week, the Center for Zoning Solutions, a new program of Smart Growth America, announced Kingston as the winner of the 17th annual Form-Based Code Award.

The City of Kingston’s code was selected by a diverse jury that included code writers, administrators, architects, developers, and public sector planners, who called the code, a “best-in-practice model for other jurisdictions on how to center community needs, advance equity in planning, and prepare for the future, including calibrating development to accommodate increased population growth.”

Smart Growth America’s announcement read: “Kingston’s code emphasizes a clear vision for the future. It provides transparency through its building form regulations that allow both developers and the public to have a clear sense of what types of development will be built and how new buildings will act with the city’s public spaces, including their sidewalks, squares, and parks…Kingston’s form-based code and accompanying user guide demonstrate how to advance inclusive community engagement processes and create visually compelling, accessible land use regulations. Their efforts should serve as a model for other jurisdictions looking to advance climate resiliency, housing diversity, mixed-use development, and walkability in communities across the country.” Read the full announcement here.

In May 2024, the zoning code won both the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) Local Government Achievement Award and the 2024 Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) Charter Award.

Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board

As part of the launch of the Community Preservation Fund, the City of Kingston will establish a Community Preservation Advisory Board and is seeking applications from the public.

Per Local Law # 8 of 2024, the Community Preservation Advisory Board will be comprised of seven City of Kingston residents who will advise the Common Council on land conservation and acquisition, and how to spend the Community Preservation Fund. Terms will range from 1-7 years.

“We are excited that the Community Preservation Fund is now effective, as of this week. As written in the new law, which was voted on by City of Kingston residents in November, members of the Community Preservation Board should have experience with conservation or land preservation, or farming, with ideally members of other related boards including the Ulster County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission, and/or a local conservation commission also serving on our advisory board,” said Mayor Noble.

Julie Noble, the City of Kingston’s Sustainability Coordinator, will serve as the Staff Liaison to the Board.

Deadline to apply is Thursday, January 23, 2025. After the Common Council appoints the seven members, the first Community Preservation Advisory Board meeting is expected to be held in April 2025.

The application is available here. More information about the planning can be found at https://engagekingston.com/community-preservation-plan. 

City Acquires New Municipal Parking Lot

The City of Kingston has acquired the former Rondout Savings Bank employee parking lot at E. Chester and Jansen Ave, which will serve the Kingston Point Rail Trail, and will be used for public parking during Snow Emergencies.

“We were pleased to acquire the former Rondout Savings Bank employee lot, which sits at one of the Kingston Point Rail Trail gateways. The lot will provide the first dedicated parking area for the rail trail. Our goal is to continue to make the trail more accessible for all,” said Mayor Noble. “This convenient parking lot can also be used for nearby residents who need off-street parking during Snow Emergencies. I want to thank Rondout Savings Bank for reaching out and working with us on this purchase.”

The municipal parking lot was purchased with $75,000 of the City of Kingston’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

The parking lot will not be metered, but regular municipal lot rules will apply. Overnight parking for commercial vehicles is not allowed, and no parking for more than 24 consecutive hours. The City will maintain the parking lot and can be closed with 24-hour notice for snow removal.

More about the KPRT at https://kingstongreenline.org/kingstonpointrailtrail. 

New municipal parking lot

Midtown Winter Wonderland Tomorrow

The 2nd Annual Midtown Winter Wonderland is tomorrow, Saturday, December 21 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Broadway Bubble (718 Broadway).

Celebrate Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Hispanic holidays through music, performances, and delicious food. Enjoy the festive spirit while supporting local businesses and connecting with your neighbors.

Join the holiday lights decorative bike ride, led by the Center for Creative Education, Broadway Arts, and the YMCA, starting in Midtown and ending at Broadway Bubble.

Don’t miss the chance to collect stamps on your Midtown Passport by visiting ten participating businesses or organizations for a special goodie bag!

End the night at UPAC with a free family-friendly holiday movie at 7:00pm.

Indoor Pickleball Club

Kingston Parks & Recreation's Indoor Pickleball Club is back by popular demand!

Sign-up today to reserve your spot for either the Beginner or Intermediate group at kingstonparksandrec.org

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

St. James Street from Broadway to the Keegan Ale lot from Monday, December 23 to Friday, December 27. This road closure is for underground work associated with the Prospect Street sewer project.

Sewer and storm drain work will be continuing on Prospect Street.  

Wurts Street Bridge-- a bridge closure for work on the lighting on Monday, December 23, 2024, 7:00am – 11:00pm, or as needed.

N. Wilbur—road closure Thursday, December 26, weather permitting for residential tree removal on N. Wilbur between Pine and Henry.

Post Office Park-- sod has been installed at Post Office Park. Work will continue into the New Year. 

Central Hudson—no work next week.

Archtop Fiber-- crews are not trenching through the end of the year, and will focus on repairs and restorations, as needed.

Post Office Park sod installation

City of Kingston Commission & Board Opportunities

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

The following currently have openings:



• Arts Commission
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission 
• Live Well Kingston Commission
• Complete Streets Advisory Council
• Conservation Advisory Council



Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

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. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.



This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:

• Streetlight replacement
• City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
• Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow-related issues
• Parks & playground repairs
• Report graffiti or vandalism
• Trail issues

Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/