The usually crowded Beacon train station
NEW YORK – A new study from Regional Plan Association advocates for improving zoning regulations to allow for multi-family housing around regional rail stations. The study also says development could include neighborhood developments to small village downtowns and major and economic centers.
The City of Beacon had considered transit oriented development in the past and while it failed, Mayor Randy Casale said the concept has been reworked.
“The first time we went through it the residents were up in arms because they thought there was a disconnect between the train station and our Main Street,” Casale said. “Since then we have rezoned the linkage district and we have some development going on and we also have zoned our train station property, so if they want to do it, it will tell them what they can build by our zone. We are hoping that MTA will like our zoning and will be looking for a contractor down the road to do something with that property.”
Mayor Casale said commuters need to take buses or ferries to the train station because with only a two-lane Route 9D in and out, traffic during commuter times is maxxed out.
