Planning Board to lead hotels review
Total of 20 guest rooms proposed for buildings on Fair, John streets
KINGSTON, N.Y. » The city Planning Board intends to lead the environmental review of the two latest proposals by a New York City developer to create boutique hotels in Uptown Kingston.
During a meeting Monday, the board adopted separate resolutions declaring itself lead agency in the state environmental review of the proposed hotels at 270 Fair St. and 24 John St.
Developer Charles Blaichman is proposing to created 12 hotel rooms at 270 Fair St., along with 978 square feet of retail space. He is proposing eight hotel rooms at 24 John St.
Specific details of the two projects were not discussed during Monday’s meeting of the Planning Board, but architect Scott Dutton said the plans “have gelled significantly over the past couple
months.” Dutton said he would be able to answer all the board’s questions at a future meeting.
Blaichman’s company, Hudson Valley Kingston Development, already has received approvals for two other hotel project in Uptown’s historic Stockade District. Work is underway at both.
Contractors are working to create a 14-room hotel at 41 Pearl St. That location, as well as the two proposed hotels, will serve as extensions of a nine-room boutique hotel Blaichman is developing a few blocks away at 301 Wall St.
In addition to declaring itself lead agency, the Planning Board heard from two city residents who raised objections to tax credits Blaichman is seeking for his projects.
The Planning Board has no jurisdiction over the request for tax credits. That authority rests with the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency,
Alicia Kowalski, who owns A Kingston Bed and Breakfast on Fair Street, said she has a problem with someone requesting a tax credit to start a new business. She said her business is struggling, despite the types of guests she hosts.
If the city agrees to provide a tax break to a new business, she also should ask for one, Kowalski said.
Joseph DiFalco said he heard Blaichman state at a meeting he was “speculating” by coming to Kingston. He said Blaichman should speculate with his own money.
Earlier this month, the Industrial Development Agency authorized up to $100,000 in sales tax exemptions for the renovation work to create the boutique hotels at 301 Wall St. and 41 Pearl St. Those exemptions will cover part of a total $184,000 sales tax waiver requested by Blaichman’s company.
Hudson Valley Kingston Development also is seeking, but has not yet been granted, $1.4 million in property tax relief for 10 years through a paymentin-lieu-of-taxes, or PILOT, agreement and a $48,000 exemption from the mortgage recording tax.
If the PILOT is granted, the developer still would pay approximately $1.75 million in property taxes.