First Zoning Code Update for City of Poughkeepsie Since 1979
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — On Monday, Feb. 11, the common council approved an update to the city zoning code to establish the Poughkeepsie Innovation District. This is the first major rezoning initiative to the City of Poughkeepsie since 1979.
It is a much needed project, seeing that the existing zoning is rooted in outdated policy, as Community Development Coordinator Paul Hesse explains. “In the 50s and 60s, people were in suburbs and not living downtown. Flash forward 20 years to the late 80s, a time when the city had a pedestrian mall that was failing, circulation issues, and a one-way street system,” said Hesse. It wasn’t until 2012 when Pace Law Center came to Poughkeepsie and examined the city as a whole, that talks of rezoning the city started to become a reality.
In a recent press release, Councilman Matt McNamara (D-8th Ward), stated, “Carefully designed, smart updates to the City’s zoning code are a breath of fresh air in the musty library of city ordinances. This will prove to be an important legislative achievement that has a very positive impact, both in terms of the revitalization of our downtown core, and in terms of local job creation”.
What exactly is it?
The Poughkeepsie Innovation District is a zoning project that divides the city into four subdistricts; the historic core, the civic corridor, the urban village, and the creative edge. Each district has its own identity, yet they are all mixed-use environments. This is where this project differs from previous zoning thinking. Rather than delegating one specific area to affordable housing, and one area to shopping, etc, this project aims to incorporate all aspects of life into one vibrant city.
The vision of the project is to transform the commercial aspects of the city into a bustling economic center, “anchored by increased residential population and a creative economy”. Paul Hesse says the increased residential population is key, in order to increase the consumer base. “Downtown Poughkeepsie, in particular, is a business district, it’s essentially a Monday to Friday place. On the weekends it's quiet because people aren’t living there,” said Hesse. If residents in the city increase, the economic prosperity of the city also increases. The more eyes that are on the street, the safer the street feels, says Hesse.
Equal Opportunity to All
So an increased residential base is key, yet Hesse made it clear they do not want to displace residents already living in the city. It is something they are extremely conscious of, as they do not want to become victims of their own success. This project will strive to be as inclusive as possible, beginning with a few key concepts.
First, affordable housing will be included, yet not subjugated to one specific area. “Our opinion is that low income should not be concentrated in any one particular area. This begins with our policies created,” said Hesse.
Second, the project aims to make the city as safe and enjoyable as possible for walking, biking, and public transportation. “We are encouraging people to use transit as much as possible, we consider 2019 the year of the bike,” said Hesse. The bike route network, which basically only exists on paper as of now, will be formalized and implemented. In order to encourage more walking, the zoning will not allow surface level parking as a principal use. This will benefit new businesses because they will not be required to provide parking for customers, which is expensive.
Next steps
Moving forward, Poughkeepsie now has to market its progressive new zoning. As Hesse explains, the rules of the game are established and as far as local government is concerned, that is about all they can do. “We can market opportunity to attract new business or encourage existing ones to expand. We always benefit from close proximity to NYC. As people get priced out and begin to look upstate I think we will benefit and be ready for it,” said Hesse.
The new zoning code is an exciting time for Poughkeepsie, as the city continues to grow as a community. “We’re grateful to the Council members that supported the PID. We continue to see interest and investment in Poughkeepsie’s downtown, and this new policy and zoning is going to further encourage thoughtful development and vibrancy in the heart of our city,” said Mayor Rolinson, in a recent press release.
