Town extends moratorium on new hotels and conference centers through January 2027

The Town of Clinton board voted July 14 to approve a second extension of a moratorium on new hospitality venues, including conference centers, hotels and motels, moving the expiration to January 2027 while officials complete planning work and analyze survey data.

A board member summarized the history: the moratorium was adopted last July, renewed in January, and has been extended again to allow time to draft comprehensive regulations for conference centers and related uses. The board cited a need to have “a comprehensive plan or at least a good part of a comprehensive plan together before we go ahead and create a new set of regulations,” and said survey results should be available to inform any new rules. (Speaker 1)

The motion to adopt Local Law No. 02/2026 — described in the meeting as the “2nd extension of conference center hotel and motel moratorium” — was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote. No individual roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript. The board noted three applications that are exempt from the moratorium because they predate the first moratorium: Six Senses, a Hollow Road/Clinton Circle site, and Camp Rising Sun.

Why it matters: the extension freezes new permitting for large hospitality projects while the town finishes planning and rulemaking. Board members said the pause allows them to develop clearer regulations rather than reacting to individual applications.

Next steps: the board said it will continue to work with the town attorney and planning staff on a timeline; if the comprehensive plan work is not finished by January, the board may seek another six-month extension following the required public hearing and town-law process. The local law was adopted during the meeting and will be posted with meeting records for public review.