The Poughkeepsie City Planning Board issued negative declarations under SEQR for two proposed four-family residential projects at 53 North Clinton Street and 149 Cannon Street, clearing the way for continued site-plan review pending final documents.

Both projects required variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals and received them at a June meeting. The project at 53 North Clinton is a vacant lot near Mansion Square proposed for a four-family building with five parking spaces (one ADA) and the removal of three on-site trees; the applicant said one adjacent tree will be protected during construction. The 149 Cannon Street site, owned by the same property owner as the adjacent lot, was presented with a shared parking arrangement: a parking easement recorded with the county clerk will be required if the board approves the project.

Natalie Quinn of KARC Planning Consultants explained that design changes were made after review comments, including decorative porch brackets, scalloped siding on upper facades and upgraded lantern-style wall lighting to better tie new buildings to surrounding architecture. Quinn said engineering had issued form-2 clearance for 53 North Clinton as of June 13, and that outstanding consultant comments received Friday would be addressed in a subsequent submission.

Board members and the consultant discussed retaining existing canopy where feasible and replacing proposed Arborvitae screening with an upright Japanese yew as a more appropriate species. The board asked the applicant for clarified planting lists and for any required easement language to be recorded with the county clerk in the file for 149 Cannon.

Both negative-declaration motions passed without recorded dissent. Staff asked applicants to submit updated elevations showing the architectural changes, the finalized shared-parking agreement for recordation (where applicable), and details on meter placement and minor engineering closeouts before the board considers final approval.