KINGSTON - City lawmakers agreed Tuesday night that the Planning Board should be the lead agency in the review of a proposal to demolish the Uptown parking garage and build a 12-story condominium project in its place.

By a vote of 8-1, the Common Council agreed the Planning Board should ultimately be the government body that reviews the proposal made by the Teicher Organization of New Jersey. The Planning Board had already agreed to seek lead agency status, but other agencies could also seek such status.
Alderman Richard Cahill Jr. R-Ward 6, the council's minority leader, voted against making the Planning Board the lead agency on the project which, if constructed, would include 214 condominium units.
Cahill said he did not object to the Planning Board having the responsibility, but that his vote against it was more of a protest vote. Cahill said that the Laws and Rules Committee at an unscheduled meeting on Monday night decided to favorably recommend the designation and he did not have enough time to review it.
"My concern is not so much with the Planning Board but this was brought to me literally last night at 10 minutes to 9 and I was literally out the door," Cahill said. "I don't have a problem with the Planning Board, but I can not vote for something when it is given to me at the last minute."
Alderwoman Ann Marie DiBella, D-Ward 5, chairwoman of the Laws and Rules Committee, said that the matter needed to be voted on by her panel Monday night and given to the full council Tuesday night.
DiBella said that sometimes the council needs to act "expeditiously" to move the planning process along.
Alderman Leonard Walker, D-Ward 3, agreed. He said that government needs to move on issues and not delay them.
"We have to take care of it," Walker said.
Alderman Bill Reynolds, D-Ward 7, the council's majority leader, said the bottom line was that the Planning Board is the most qualified to deal with the project and should be the lead agency.
"It only makes sense," Reynolds said.
The Teicher proposal is before the Planning Board. Supporters of the project say that it will liven up the streets of Uptown and bring people into the shops as well as provide much-needed housing in the city.
Opponents have said the building is too high and does not fit into the character of the historic Uptown district

©Daily Freeman 2006

AREA NEWSPAPER
CONTACT INFORMATION

ULSTER/ DUTCHESS

Poughkeepsie Journal
PO Box 1231
Poughkeepsie, NY 12602
(845) 454-2000
For an on line letter to the editor. Fill out this form

ULSTER COUNTY

Saugerties Times
Monday deadline
P.O.Box
Phone:334- 8200
FAX your letter 334-8202
saugertiestimes@ulsterpublishing
(Attention Erica Freudenberger, editor)
P.O.Box 3329
Kingston, NY 12402

Albany Times Union
Times Union
90 State Street
Albany, NY 12207
(518) 454-5091
For an on line letter to the editor. Fill out this form

COLUMBIA COUNTY
The Independent
Indenews (online)

P.O. Box 360
Hillsdale, NY 12529
Phone (518) 325-4400
FAX (518) 325-4497
Parry Teasdale, editor

letters to editor require form through website

***NOTE: Our websites make an effort to glean info for our readers from local papers. This is no way a substitute for subscribing or picking up a local paper. We gratefully acknowledge the efforts local newspapers and publications make to our community.