Woodstock Housing Task Force Seeks Way Forward
By Bond Brundgard
WOODSTOCK – It’s been about nine months since a task force presented amendments to the town’s zoning code to make it easier for people to afford to live here. There have been other public hearings, but the wait goes on the proposed changes to the zoning code that include more density.
“That proposal has still not passed. The town board is still considering it and hopefully they will pass it soon,” said Jeff Collins, Ulster County Legislator representing Woodstock and West Hurley. He was once a member of the Woodstock task force that has sought changes in the zoning code for more affordable housing.
Hippie nostalgia drives the town’s tourist industry, and that’s evident driving through hamlet of the same name. And traffic slows when pedestrians, crossing the main thoroughfare, seek a bite to eat or hoping to buy a trinket, book or anything with the name Woodstock on it or related to it. Many of those working in these stores earn service industry wages, which are not enough to live in Woodstock.
“For the economy in Woodstock, we need people who work here be able to live here” Collins said. “They had to close down businesses (here) because they couldn’t find employees who could get to work reliably because many didn’t have access to cars or transportation,” he said. “If you can’t hire people, you can’t stay open.”
Collins said much of the town’s zoning code was created in the 1980s when it was made more exclusive, and less favorable for certain types of development.
“We need more inclusive zoning that would allow us to have more affordable housing,” he said, “and to allow us to have people who can afford to live in Woodstock.”
The non-profit Woodstock Housing Alliance is also involved trying to solve these types of problems by enlisting various non-profit organizations. But one of the ways to keep Woodstock’s aesthetic charm and allow for more inclusive housing is to be more creative with construction. The proposed zoning changes allows for the ability to build quads, four units of more inclusive housing, that’s similar to houses or buildings inhabited by fewer people. “If you can build a quad, it must look like it fits in the area,” Collins said. “It looks similar to that million-dollar house. You don’t lose the aesthetics of the town. But it becomes more inclusive.”
Zoning proposals were put together in a document totaling more than 300 pages, and a sizable portion is dedicated to housing. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are being zoned into many communities, and it is something the City of Kingston has promoted in a way for property owners to earn some extra income, or provide a separate living space for an elderly family member.
The proposed changes to the Woodstock zoning code include the accommodation of two ADUs on a single part, with one attached to the main residence or with one detached. Or a parcel could have two detached ADUs from the main residence and no attached unit. And no ADUs may be attached to a quad unit as mentioned by Collins above or to a three-unit complex, which is also recommended as part of the proposed changes. ADUs and short-term rentals in multi-family complexes would also not be allowed.
The proposed changes also address tiny houses. Tiny houses can be used as a detached ADU and can be located in a zoning district that allows for single-family homes provided the parcels meet the setback, density, and other requirements in the zoning law.
Clustered lot developments are also addressed in the proposed changes, and this would allow for up to 40 dwelling units with one or more housing types to include tiny houses, single-family, two-family, complexes with three and four units and multi-family units.