HUDSON LANDING

"City planners paved the way Monday night for a developer of a large-scale housing project to begin the first significant construction work at the waterfront site."

That's the first line in the Freeman article in today's edition. Did you have to read it twice to comprehend the news? I did. My Council colleagues and I were engaged with the project the whole time I served on the council. We signed off on the final plan only months before I left. To read that the planning board has given AVR the go-ahead to start grading the land for access is such a thrill.

The vote was unanimous. Months from now you'll see excavators start moving some earth. Making way for other equipment. It shouldn't be long before they submit the plans for whatever they think they can build and sell during these rough economic times. I almost cant wait. I'm a firm believer that "If you build it..." simply because people trying to get out of New York City will always want to relocate within the 90 minute radius.

The paper repeated the plans we knew about the North Street and Rt 32 entrances as well as the number of units they expect to launch in Phase One. Each phase of the project will need site plan approval by the Planning Board.

I would have to agree with the Mayor when he says he'd like to get the first shovel in the ground. This project has been in the works for quite a long time. Not that there's anything wrong with the process. The current plan is so much better than the original and the input from the public and interest groups have played a significant part in the final plan, but it has been a long time and has cost Tom Perna and Company allot of money to get to this stage.

Expect to see pictures of the progress as its happening right here on the Blog.

www.hudsonlanding.com

CHUCK SCHUMER IN KINGSTON

Senator Schumer made a special visit to the City of Kingston today. With a perfect day as a backdrop, he spoke from the entrance of the Kingston Housing Authority to highlight some changes in Tennant screening abilities.

With a national estimate of 3,000 registered sex offenders unknowingly residing in public housing, the time to tighten up the vetting process is now. The waiting list for assisted living in this complex is three years out. And that's for people who are struggling to raise families in our own community. No-one wants to house such criminals in that kind of environment, never mind use tax dollars to do it.

The announcement comes on the heals of some national tragedies that have reignited the concern about where to house men & women on the list.
Many facilities have limited access to the DATA that you would expect them to. Some date back only 10 years, some reach only within the state. This push opens up the availability of the registry in both back history and nationally. The new programs will be made at no cost to an already strapped housing program.

With little notice, the audience was made up of mostly officials and staff in the area as well as a few local residents. But the impact of the change offered by the good Senator, will rest the fears of many who live in housing units like Rondout Gardens for years to come.

DEFINITION OF FAMILY: STABLE

Housing and the limitations on occupancy in the City of Kingston shall remain defined as it is in the Charter for the time being. The Laws & Rules Committee Thursday evening voted unanimously to table the issue until an undetermined date to allow the committee to study the issue closer.

A majority of the Council had determined the move to table was necessary about a week prior to the meeting and felt the measure would only pit civic groups against each other at a time when there is already great turmoil in the management of some of our departments.

Ron Polacco asked permission to be the first motion and I had the pleasure of second. Opening the definition of occupancy to board member interpretation would only add to the daunting challenges facing the Planning and Zoning Boards and I for one wasn't comfortable with the unrestricted boarding house aspect of the proposed change.

For those of you concerned with YOUR neighboring buildings allowing tens of unrelated persons without regulation, rest assured, we are looking out for your best interest.

PUBLIC HEARING FOR TUBBY ROW

This would be an announcement to all my Rondout Neighborhood readers.

An issue has come to our attention that your quality of life may be altered depending on the outcome of a Planning Board meeting next week.

The owner of the Tubby Row Houses on Spring Street has submitted plans for a serious renovation of the building that would increase its occupancy levels substantially.

If the owner, Gordon Taylor of Altodena California, is allowed to proceed, he will renovate the structure to house 17 single bedroom apartments and one three bedroom apartment.

Alderman Senor and I are both concerned that this use would have an impact on the well being of that neighborhood. Although the structure is technically in Ward Eight, it will affect that portion of Ward Nine a great deal.

Basic plans for any dwelling require 1.5 parking spaces per bedroom. This reason alone is cause for concern, since there is limited parking onsight.

The owner made it known to the Planning Board that he had spoken to most of the neighbors around the building and has gotten plenty of support. Robert and I have doubts.

To allow this change in use, the Planning Board and possibly the Zoning Board will have to make changes and a special permit must be issued.

There will be a Public Hearing on this property on February 9th at 6pm at City Hall.

Alderman Senor and I are asking all of the neighbors who have an opinion either way, as to the change in use, to come to this meeting. There is plenty of parking behind City Hall and the side door entrance has an elevator for your convenbience.

To contact Alderman Senor before the hearing, call 339-2955