Proposed Rhinecliff parking plan raises safety and access concerns; public presentation set for March 11
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Summary
Engineers' La Bella presented a draft parking and traffic plan for Rhinecliff that would reduce curbside spaces and may require converting Orchard Street to one‑way; town to hold presentation March 11.
The Town of Rhinebeck board and residents discussed a draft parking and traffic plan for the Hamlet of Rhinecliff that, as drawn, would leave about 30 curbside parking spaces to serve the station, businesses and library.
Town officials said the draft prepared by La Bella engineers would require changes to traffic flow on some streets to meet safety standards. A presentation by La Bella, Town Attorney Mike Barfield and Planning Board member Bob Wyant is scheduled for March 11 at 6 p.m. at the Morton Memorial Library.
A Town Board member (name not specified) summarized the plan to the board: "As it stands now, unless we make Cornell a one way street, there will only be about 30 parking spaces available in the whole of Rhinecliff to service everybody going there for Kipp's Tavern, the Epicurean, the library, the post office..." The board and planning staff said certain narrow streets cannot safely accommodate parking on both sides and that compliance with safety guidance (for example, road widths required for emergency vehicle access) may make some streets one‑way to allow designated parking.
Board members and residents raised several recurring questions: whether Orchard Street could retain two‑way traffic while allowing curbside parking (the town said no if parking on both sides is to remain), how extensive no‑parking signage would be, and whether residents who now park overnight on the street would be able to keep doing so. The board said the draft plan would not allow overnight street parking where it makes the road unsafe.
Some residents voiced concern about the tone of public debate. "I feel like there's been a bullying tone from Ryan Cook, and it's been hard," a board member said as relayed in the meeting transcript.
The board discussed longer‑term options, including asking the state legislature for a limited number of resident parking permits and potential monetization of Amtrak's station lot if Amtrak and New York State permit paid parking. The board noted that New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Amtrak have roles in station and lot management and that any changes there are outside the town's direct control.
Town members said La Bella will return with clarifications and corrections to minor map legend issues before the March 11 public presentation; the board also agreed to hold a town hall follow‑up if additional public discussion is requested.
The town reiterated that Rhinecliff is part of the municipality and that parking regulations and enforcement affect all Rhinebeck residents, not only neighbors of the Hamlet. The public presentation is set for March 11 at 6 p.m. at Morton Memorial Library; the board encouraged residents to attend and ask questions.
