Hyde Park Town Board Restores Access Rights for Clinton Project

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting for the Town of Clinton, NY, held on August 28, 2025, focused on critical discussions surrounding access rights and legal stipulations affecting local projects. The meeting began with a review of the ongoing litigation concerning access through Hyde Park, which has implications for development in Clinton.

A key point of discussion was the recent statute passed by the Town of Hyde Park, which restores access over private roads for properties located outside its municipal boundaries. This law allows for access to be maintained as long as it serves a use permitted by the adjacent municipality, provided that the property owner notifies the town's building inspector. The statute emphasizes that any prior administrative decisions that conflict with this new law are rendered null and void, effectively reopening access that had previously been restricted.

The board members engaged in a detailed examination of the implications of this statute, particularly regarding its effect on ongoing projects in Clinton that require access through Hyde Park. The discussion highlighted the importance of having a final, non-appealable decision regarding access rights, as this would clarify the legal standing of the projects involved.

Legal representatives emphasized that the new law in Hyde Park has not been challenged and remains in effect, allowing for continued access unless the town board decides otherwise after public input. This situation raises questions about the necessity of a final decision for access restoration, as the current legal framework appears to support ongoing access without further appeal.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for clarity regarding access rights and the potential for future discussions on how to navigate the legal landscape created by the new statute. The board acknowledged the importance of ensuring that local development projects can proceed without unnecessary legal hindrances, while also respecting the rights and concerns of the Hyde Park community. Further actions and follow-up discussions are anticipated as the board seeks to address these complex issues.