Kingston committee issues SEQR negative declaration, approves eminent‑domain findings for Garagun Drive redevelopment

The City of Kingston Community Development and Housing Committee on Jan. 16, 2025 voted to adopt a State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) negative declaration for the proposed acquisition and conceptual redevelopment of property along Garagun Drive and approved a related set of findings under Section 204 of the New York Eminent Domain Procedure Law to begin acquisition steps.

Planning staff member Bartek reviewed changes to Resolution 11 of 02/2025 and the associated full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) parts 1–3, telling committee members the project is currently conceptual and would later be subjected to project‑specific environmental and land‑use review. “This conceptual view represents our understanding of the site, our understanding of the development potential of the site,” Bartek said. He added that “to the extent that this review constitutes segmentation, it is permissible segmentation because no development will go forward until a project specific SEQR review is completed.”

Why it matters: the actions clear procedural steps that allow the city to acquire roughly 3.5 acres along Garagun Drive and move toward redevelopment that the staff memo estimates could accommodate about 200 housing units and roughly 30,000 square feet of neighborhood‑serving retail. Committee members and staff said those figures are conceptual; any specific project would require planning‑board review, site plans, and additional…