Washington’s hospitality redistricting to consider natural resources

MILLBROOK — Councilmember Leslie Heaney introduced the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) map and recommended its use in revising the hospitality overlay district at the Washington Town Board meeting Thursday, March 14.

The overlay district will regulates where inns — a legal category that includes motels and small hotels — can be operated.

Hospitality rezoning progress to date

The review of hospitality zoning codes began in spring of 2021, with the appearance of Will Guidara’s application to transform Migdale Castle into a hotel and spa. The proposal caused an uproar among local residents horrified by the potential disturbance of the pastoral acreage of Mabbettsville — at times, town Zoom meetings hosted nearly 2,300 people.

The incident also led to the review of the town’s Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2015; the town hired Nan Stolzenberg and her consulting firm, Community Planning & Environmental Associates of Berne, which conducted forums, surveys and meetings in an effort to determine what would or would not be acceptable to the residents as far as hospitality was concerned.

The process, which began in fall of 2021 continued through February 2023, when the new plan, with its revised hospitality proposals, was adopted.

In February of this year, the town adopted the NRI, which is intended to protect environmentally sensitive areas from development.

The NRI will be incorporated into the zoning code as part of the overlay district special permit revision, said McCullough, Goldberger & Staudt LLP, the law firm representing the town.

The Village of Millbrook was kept in the loop throughout the entire process and was invited to be part of the discussion, as traffic, water usage and foot traffic in the village would be impacted by the number of hospitality rooms permitted under the revised overlay district.

According to surveys and the new Comprehensive Plan, only two properties in the overlay district that are commercially zoned, and could become inns, could accommodate more than 20 rooms, and the maximum count is currently estimated at 100 rooms.

The overlay district will only permit accessory dwelling uses that are incidental and secondary to the main use.

Next Steps

What remains of this hospitality overlay saga is a Public Hearing at next month’s regular Town Board meeting on Thursday, April 11, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall.

On the town website, the committee working on the Hospitality Overlay District has posted on answers to public comments and questions, the map of the overlay district, and other available information for public perusal.

Town meetings can be followed on YouTube, via the Town website, www.washingtonny.org

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less