Commission to pursue zoning-code clarifications and mail historic-property guidance to owners

Commissioners said they are preparing a list of questions and recommended clarifying edits to the Historic District and Landmarks Preservation (HDLPC) section of the city zoning ordinance and plan to discuss them at the commission’s October meeting with city planning, building and development staff.

Commissioner Elisa Lee, who said she met with Commissioners Anthony LaRocca and Tim McQueen to compile questions, told the commission the goal is to align HDLPC responsibilities and the certificate-of-appropriateness (COA) form with the zoning ordinance so roles and procedures are clear to staff, commissioners and the public. "The goal would be to update, the ordinance to clarify a few points to make sure that the relevant city groups that are responsible for different actions are clear, for everybody in Poughkeepsie as well as ourselves," Commissioner Lee said. She said the group hopes to circulate the questions and draft language to commissioners in advance of the October session so the commission can have an open discussion then.

Staff said corporation counsel Rebecca Volk and building department staff are expected to attend the October meeting to answer questions directly. Commissioners said they prefer having the relevant city staff present at the October meeting rather than deferring the matter to a separate special meeting.

Separately, commission staff reported that planning and development staff have prepared and are mailing informational packets to owners and residents of historic properties; packets also will be sent to commercial property owners and business occupants where applicable. Tyler McGirl, a city planner credited by staff, prepared a cardstock map included in the packet. Staff said packets are being mailed and some copies will be distributed to realtors and homeowner associations for outreach.

Commissioners agreed to aim for an October discussion and to share proposed language ahead of the session so questions can be answered in one meeting.