Neighbors urge rejection of 16-unit plan at 8 South Clinton; planning board closes hearing

The Poughkeepsie City Planning Board heard strong opposition from neighbors and a city council member on a proposal to build a three‑story, 16‑unit apartment building at 8 South Clinton Street, and then closed the public hearing to allow applicants and staff time to address outstanding issues.

The applicant, represented by Jason Littrick of JL Architecture, described revisions since the last meeting including moving the building back five feet from the south property line, three feet from the east property line, a relocated front entrance, brick-and-stucco facades, private balconies on the second and third floors, and seven covered parking spaces under the building. Littrick said the project still requires a parking waiver because 14 on-site spaces are required and seven are proposed.

The project drew multiple public speakers who said the development would overwhelm a long-established residential block. Judy Green, a nearby resident, told the board: "The proposed development of a 16 apartment complex at 8 South Clinton Street will only benefit an opportunistic exploitive private entity LLC at the expense of an already stressed but vibrant, cohesive, ethnically and culturally diverse historic residential neighborhood of 1 and 2 family homes and 3 and 4 apartment house dwellings." Martin Knapp, another neighbor, said the building would be "too big" and that balconies would face parking lots and a nearby property he called a dump.

City Council member Chris Grant (Ward 6) asked how the planning board applies standards when it considers projects and waivers; Chair Ann Sailor explained that the board answers questions in SEQRA (the State Environmental Quality Review Act) and applies standards set in the city's zoning ordinance. The board also discussed the parking waiver standard: proximity of municipal lots, evidence of constraint preventing on-site parking, and a required fee in lieu if a waiver is granted.

Board members and staff flagged three principal outstanding issues: parking (including whether Little Smith Street municipal parking is practically available for future tenants), on‑site and neighborhood infrastructure (the applicant said they will install a 12‑inch stormwater main on South Clinton Street to address runoff), and architectural context. Trustee comments also asked for clearer depiction of planters, the location of mechanical equipment and confirmation of snow-storage and bike‑rack provisions on the site plans.

The planning board voted to close the public hearing so the applicant can provide additional materials and the board can consider a SEQRA determination later. The board left the record open for written comments and told neighbors the board would continue to receive emails and submissions.

The board said it would work with the applicant over the next month on the design refinements and required engineering information prior to any determination on a negative declaration or a vote forwarding the project to the Zoning Board of Appeals for variances.

Ending — Next steps The applicant will coordinate with city engineering on stormwater and utility details and submit revised site plans showing features discussed (planters, mechanical locations, bike racks, snow storage). The record remains open for written comment; the planning board indicated it may reopen the hearing if necessary before issuing a SEQRA finding or making a formal approval recommendation to other bodies.