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Planning board to prepare formal comments on proposed workforce‑housing zoning amendment after lengthy debate
Summary
After a detailed discussion about process and authority, the Rhinebeck Planning Board directed staff to draft a referral letter with the board’s comments about a proposed workforce‑housing rezoning and changes to related design standards; the board emphasized concerns about design review, parking standards and cumulative environmental impacts.
The Rhinebeck Planning Board debated a town‑board referral to rezone a Village Gateway (BG) site for workforce housing and to modify the town’s workforce‑housing regulations. Board members expressed concern that the changes could short‑circuit planning board design review and set aside portions of the town’s design standards and site plan criteria.
Board members noted several substantive issues they want communicated to the town board: the proposal would change parking requirements (the draft would encode two parking spaces per dwelling unit where the board previously recommended 1.5 spaces), could remove or relax portions of the town’s design standards and appendices, and would limit the planning board’s ability to require changes to the concept plan during site plan review. Members worried this could reduce the board’s ability to address visual compatibility, walkability, sidewalks and connectivity promised by the workforce housing rules.
Several members also raised environmental concerns: cumulative impacts of multiple discharges to local tributaries and the Rhinebeck Kill, the proximity of development to wetland buffers (including lighting, runoff and habitat impacts), and the potential need for outside consultant review to study cumulative water quality and wetland implications. Members suggested the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) or an independent consultant be asked to evaluate cumulative environmental impacts.
Planning staff and counsel reiterated that the town board has the ultimate zoning authority and may adopt amendments; the planning board’s role is to review and provide technical comments. The board voted to have staff (Jim) prepare a referral response reflecting the board’s concerns and offering to meet with the town board to discuss the issues.
The motion instructed planning staff to prepare a response that re‑states the planning board’s earlier referral comments, highlights technical clarifications, and offers ongoing collaboration so the town board can consider the planning board’s technical advice during its rezoning work.
