Votes at a glance: zoning referral, park rules, controller authority and other items approved

The Kingston Common Council Laws and Rules Committee recorded multiple formal outcomes on March 19. The committee approved referring zoning amendments to required reviewing agencies, adopted amendments to overnight park parking rules with an escalating fine schedule, and approved a local-law change to clarify the controller’s authority and the deputy controller’s ability to act in the controller’s absence. The committee also approved a council resolution expressing support for physician Dr. Margaret Carpenter.

Summary of actions taken

- Form-based code amendments — referral approved: The committee voted to refer a limited package of amendments to the Kingston Forward form-based code to the City Planning Board, Ulster County Planning Board and the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission and to set a public hearing. The referral will allow those bodies to review changes that include simplifying the parkland fee process, adjusting first-floor height minimums and other implementation fixes.

- Overnight parking in city parks — approved: The committee approved ordinance language clarifying that only vehicles authorized by the director of parks and recreation may remain in a city park outside posted hours; it also adopted an enforcement approach with a graduated penalty schedule discussed by finance staff (first offense $25, second $50, third or subsequent $100) and directed staff to align ordinance language with the city’s fee schedule.

- Local law clarifying controller authority and deputy authority — approved: The committee approved language amending the administrative code to state the controller “shall have the power and authority to appoint officers and employees therein” and to authorize the deputy controller to “act generally for and in place of their principal officer or officers in the absence or inability of the principals to act.” The action will be implemented as a local-law amendment and recorded in the administrative code.

- Resolution supporting Dr. Margaret Carpenter — approved: The committee approved a council resolution expressing support for Dr. Margaret Carpenter of New Paltz and recognizing her work with telemedicine abortion access; committee members agreed to refine several whereas clauses for precision before distribution.

Provenance (evidence from the meeting transcript)

- Form-based code referral: Committee reading and referral motion recorded during the meeting (transcript excerpt: “This is a resolution of the common council... referring amendments to the Kingston forward form based code for review...” — see transcript block starting ~6158 seconds).

- Local-law controller authorization: Local-law language read aloud and motion recorded (transcript excerpt: “a local law ... to amend the administrative code to add the following language. The controller has the power and authority to appoint officers and employees therein and authorizing the deputy controller to act generally...” — see transcript block starting ~7170 seconds).

- Overnight parking amendments: Ordinance language read and motion recorded (transcript excerpt: “Resolution ... include Section 310 parks and recreation facilities as per attached.” — see transcript block starting ~7718 seconds).

- Resolution supporting Dr. Carpenter: Resolution read and moved; members voted in favor (transcript excerpt: “resolution of the city of Kingston, New York in support of doctor Margaret Carpenter... Can I get a motion?” — see transcript block starting ~7809 seconds).

Ending: Staff will circulate final cleaned wording and schedule follow-up items (public hearing dates, fee schedule alignment and any required local‑law filings) as part of normal implementation steps.