Commission reviews fee‑in‑lieu of parkland for Kingston housing projects; seeks developer and planning follow-up

The Kingston Recreation Commission examined how parkland requirements and fees‑in‑lieu should apply to two planned developments: an 80‑unit senior housing project at 206 and 208 Flatbush Ave led by the Kingston Housing Authority and a mixed‑use development proposed at 615 Broadway that includes city‑owned property and a parcel from the Salvation Army.

The housing authority project would demolish Penn Court senior residences and construct a building with 80 senior apartments; staff presented a net gain figure of 48 new units that would trigger consideration of parkland dedication or payment in lieu, according to the housing information provided to the commission. The project’s site improvements would include parking, lighting, landscaping and new playground facilities. Commission members said plans and renderings provided to the commission were difficult to read and requested clearer site plans and a developer briefing so the commission can determine how parkland obligations should be interpreted.

The 615 Broadway proposal differs because it involves city property and a parcel the Salvation Army is expected to transfer to the city. The project would include ground‑floor commercial space and about 70 residential units, and would keep a plaza (the Pauline Aliveros element) as an outdoor public plaza with seating and landscaping. Staff told the commission the developer estimated the cost for the new public plaza and community space at roughly $320,000. Commission members discussed whether that public plaza and the fact the city will own part of the site affect the commission’s authority to require or to accept fees in lieu of parkland and requested additional clarification from planning staff and the developer.

Commission staff said one property has produced or will produce a payment that goes into the recreation trust fund—an amount of approximately $3,000 was mentioned in the meeting for one property—while also noting that some of the trust fund money is already being used for facility refurbishment and technical improvements.

Commissioners directed staff to request clearer renderings and site plans from planning and to invite a developer or planning representative to the next meeting so the commission can evaluate whether parkland dedication, public access, gated hours and fee calculations meet the commission’s standards. The item on 615 Broadway was tabled for follow‑up; commissioners said they hoped to have a developer briefing at the next meeting.