LPC votes unanimously to expand DRI boundary to include 15 North Cherry Street

The Poughkeepsie Local Planning Committee voted unanimously during its meeting to expand the Downtown Revitalization Initiative boundary to include a project at 15 North Cherry Street and to keep that application in the pool for further review.

Staff showed the LPC a map indicating the project lies on the east side of North Cherry Street and explained the DRI boundary runs down the middle of that street. Several committee members argued the former cigar factory sits adjacent to the historic center and that including it was consistent with the DRI’s goals. One LPC member said the site is “arguably closer to the historic center of the city than many other parts of the boundary.”

After discussion, an LPC member called for a vote. The chair asked, “How many people would like to keep this project in and expand the boundary area for right now?” The meeting record shows all members present supported that action; staff recorded the outcome as unanimous and said they would revise the DRI boundary map to reflect the committee’s vote.

Staff noted that if the LPC wished to retain a project outside the existing boundary in later rounds they would have to vote to modify the boundary formally — which the committee did in this case — and that keeping the project in does not guarantee funding. Committee members said the property’s vacancy and proximity to other active projects made it an appropriate candidate for inclusion in the strategic investment plan if it was not funded through DRI.

The committee’s boundary change is limited to this project. Staff said it would update maps, notify applicants, and continue screening the full set of proposals against DRI eligibility and readiness criteria.