Council discusses allowing hotels, density changes in Fishkill Creek Development District

At the July 6 workshop session, city staff presented preliminary questions about whether to amend the Fishkill Creek Development (FCD) District code to permit a hotel at a redevelopment site at 555 South Avenue (the former Tyrande hat factory). Staff noted the property is enrolled in the New York State DEC Brownfield program and is preparing a redevelopment plan; allowing hotels as a permitted principal use would not pre-approve a project but would change what is permissible in the zoning code.

Council members discussed differences in scale between inns/bed-and-breakfasts and hotels and noted code language that restricts typical hotel activities (dining, conference facilities, etc.). Members asked staff to return with a memo and draft local law comparing how other districts treat density and uses, and to consider whether bulk/dimensional limits (the current 11 units per acre in FCD) should be revisited or left to planning-board discretion in site-plan review. One council member also noted that hotels can serve as short-term emergency housing and suggested evaluating the topic in the context of broader Route 52 recommendations and the comprehensive plan. Staff committed to preparing comparative materials and a draft local law for a future workshop.