Council to consider Golden Hill rezoning
City aldermen agreed to consider a rezoning request if Ulster County procceds with plans to develop land it owns on Golden Hill.
City aldermen have indicated their willingness to consider a rezoning request should Ulster County move forward with plans to develop property it owns on Golden Hill.
During a virtual meeting on Tuesday, July 7, the Common Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution stating, in part, that the city recognizes the “current regulatory scheme” for the property on Golden Hill is unsuited to its existing uses and is unresponsive to the potential for development. The resolution also says the city pledges to work with Ulster County should it decide to use the property to help meet community housing needs.
The resolution was adopted with no public discussion by aldermen.
Ulster County Planning Director Dennis Doyle told the council’s Laws and Rules Committee last month that his office had been asked to identify county-owned lands that might be available for possible development to help meet the county’s housing needs. He said planners identified the vacant lands on Golden Hill, particularly those around the former county jail.
There are about 15 acres available on the property, of which seven to 10 acres are suitable for building, Doyle said.
The county has since issued a “statement of qualifications” seeking proposals from developers, Doyle has said. He added that he hoped the Common Council would consider potential rezoning requests for the property, which is currently zoned RRR, for single-family housing.
Doyle has said the current zoning does not meet the potential opportunities that Golden Hill offers. He also said any rezoning petition would have to be submitted to the Common Council for approval. Any development would also have to go through the necessary Planning Board approvals and the state Environmental Quality Review process, Doyle said.
Additionally, Doyle has said the county’s statement of qualifications requires developers to include a concept plan and meet other goals, including providing affordable housing in any project proposal.