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Residents urge ZBA to deny variances for proposed hotel conversion at 169 Route 214
Summary
Speakers and written commenters at the Shandaken ZBA hearing warned that converting 169 Route 214 from multifamily housing to a hotel would erode rural character, enable permanent short‑term rental status for future nonresident owners, and worsen local housing availability.
Maureen Millar, a Mount Tremper resident, told the Zoning Board of Appeals on June 17 that the proposed change of use for 169 Route 214 risks removing long‑term housing and could harm elderly neighbors who rely on quiet streets and stable property values.
"This is not about the gentleman who did a beautiful renovation job on this property," Millar said. "It's about enforcing the law as it's written...variance shall not be construed to include mere inconvenience or a desire to make more money." She also cited flood‑risk concerns discussed by earlier commenters.
The board read two written submissions into the record: a brief letter from Liz Potter urging the ZBA not to approve setbacks that would allow the property to operate as a hotel, and a detailed memorandum from Vivian Welton that summarized provisions of the town's short‑term rental (STR) law. Welton warned that a change to hotel use would allow future nonresident owners to operate the site without the residency cap that limits STR licenses and could permit signage and gatherings not allowed under the STR regime.
"If 169 Route 214 is granted a change to use to become a hotel, this would grant the owner or any subsequent owner permanent short‑term rental ability regardless of residency," the letter read, arguing that the result could continue removal of housing stock from the long‑term market.
Board staff told the ZBA that the applicant was not present and recommended keeping the hearing open; the board agreed to leave the matter open for a future session so the applicant can appear and respond. No formal action or vote on the 169 Route 214 application was taken on June 17.
The ZBA left the public‑comment period open; the application will return to a subsequent meeting for further consideration and possible formal action.
