Home rentals, noise, livestock focus of zoning revisions

RHINEBECK, N.Y. » Village trustees have scheduled a public hearing next week on proposed zoning code updates that are expected to address recent concerns about noise in the business district, short-term home rentals, and ownership of adult farm animals.

The hearing will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, at the Village Hall, 76 East Market Street.

Changes in the zoning law were proposed by the village Zoning Revision Commission following a public hearing in December, when nearly 80 people packed the session to voice support for each of the changes.

Under the proposed revision, property owners who rent homes or rooms through online services such as AirBnB would be required to get site plan approval and a special use permit. Property owners would be required to live on site where homes are rented out and stays would be limited to 30 days.

The proposed rental home provisions would also require that guest rooms in an accessory building have sanitary facilities and that the property owner would be allowed to serve breakfast to guests.

Changes to noise requirements in the village would increase the limits from 70 to 80 decibels between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., and from 60 to 70 decibels between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

A provision for farm animals is being proposed in response to concerns about programs at Primrose Hill School, which has developed a curriculum for elementary-aged children based on an agricultural tradition.

“Except for farm lots, for every two acres of land there shall not be more than one adult or fully grown horse, cow, hog, beef cattle, sheep, goat or other four-legged domestic-type farm animal or combination,” the proposal says. “On any nonfarm lot, the keeping of fully grown chickens, ducks, geese or other fowl shall be prohibited.”