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Kingston planning staff present zoning amendments covering rec fees, first‑floor heights, signage and other code clarifications; HLPC recommends approval
Summary
Planning staff brought a package of zoning‑code amendments to the Historic Landmark Preservation Commission on April 3 covering a fixed recreation fee, first‑floor height adjustments, signage clarifications (including neon and window signage rules), parking language changes, and code alignment with State Building Code; the HLPC endorsed forwarding the package with recommendations for consistency and careful signage review in historic districts.
City planning staff presented a multi‑topic set of proposed amendments to Kingston’s form‑based zoning code at the April 3 HLPC meeting and the commission voted to forward recommendations to the appropriate reviewing bodies. The proposed changes were developed by a zoning working group convened after the form‑based code adoption to reflect implementation experience and to correct inconsistencies.
Major proposals summarized by staff include:
- Recreation fee: convert a variable recreation/parkland fee (previously up to $3,000/unit) into a fixed fee established by the Common Council and payable before building permits; affordable units created under the code would be exempt from the fee when governed by required restrictive covenants.
- First‑floor height adjustments: reduce or make contextual minimum first‑floor heights in several transects (for example, some T4 and T5 transects reduced from 16 ft to 14 ft or to contextual measurements) so new construction aligns better with existing neighborhood scale; add a definition for “contextual” measured from adjacent lots on the same street.
- Parking and accessible parking language: remove a code requirement that automatically required the planning board to designate an on‑street accessible parking space for projects of four or more units; code will continue to require ADA compliance but not the mandatory on‑street designation in the same phrasing.
- Signage clarifications: add a signage matrix for clarity; allow modest window signage on more than one storefront window up to percentage limits; relax certain prohibitions to allow additional signage types and add neon as an allowed medium (subject to dimensional, brightness, and anti‑flashing rules); clarify handling of hanging signs (removing mandatory stabilization requirement) and temporary window coverings (allowed only during active construction with a building permit).
- Bed and breakfast/home occupation code alignment: reconcile local definitions with the New York State Building Code to avoid conflicting permit requirements.
Staff told the commission these changes are intended to clarify administration, reduce the need for frequent variances/waivers, and ensure the code is implementable. Commissioners discussed neon signage, arguing for case‑by‑case review in historic districts and sensitivity to street context. Staff noted that if a sign fully complies with the revised code it would not be referred to HLPC; non‑conforming or larger proposals would still require commission review.
After discussion, the HLPC voted to support the amendments as presented and forward comments to the council/working group; commissioners asked staff to ensure consistency across matrices and to supply definitions and guidance for signage in sensitive historic areas. The commission also noted the new online HLPC portal is forthcoming and that staff would circulate corrected matrices for further review.
