KINGSTON – The third and final draft of the Kingston Forward zoning code has been released.
Mayor Steven Noble began citywide rezoning efforts in late 2018, with a call for members of a Zoning Task Force to begin the process of updating the City of Kingston’s outdated zoning code.
The new form-based code will:
- Introduce a new system of “transects” to regulate the ways in which land is developed. This categorizes zones from the most rural zone to the most urban zone: T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5. These zones are designed to encourage mixed-use, walkable environments. A form-based code allows the city to steer new development to ensure that it reinforces the historic urban fabric within each of these transects.
- Remove minimum parking mandates.
- Legalize accessory dwelling units, an affordable and flexible housing type, citywide.
- Reduce the administrative burden of building new housing in Kingston, especially for smaller projects that meet the review criteria of a new minor site plan review board.
- Mandate at least 10 percent of all units in residential projects with seven or more units be affordable and includes new incentives for affordable housing, including expedited review and discounts on site application fees.
- Introduce a fair and balanced approach to regulating short-term rentals and ensure STRs will have a negligible impact on the supply of long-term housing in Kingston.
- Legalize neighborhood-serving corner stores in many of Kingston’s neighborhoods, as had been the case prior to the adoption of the 1960s zoning code.
- Allow for “missing middle” housing, including duplexes and triplexes, as had been allowed prior to the adoption of the ‘60s zoning code, to encourage economic diversity and incremental development types.
- Reflect the goals and vision of the 2025 Kingston Comprehensive Plan and mirrors the priorities outlined in the City’s 2020 Open Space plan and Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, as dictated by the State’s Coastal Management Program.
Mayor Noble called the new code “truly the vision of our community – it will encourage incremental growth and smart development across the city, while preserving our open spaces.”
To read the final draft of the zoning code, including all comments received and the team’s responses, visit https://engagekingston.com/kingston-forward.
