Kingston’s housing crisis could be alleviated to some degree by the development of the 298 housing units proposed by Whitestone Development Partners near Adams Fairacre Farms in the Town of Ulster. But in the face of significant opposition — mostly around the increase in traffic around the area — the developer recently downgraded the plan from 298 to 190 units.
That’s not all — in the face of community criticism, other changes include lowering the maximum building height from four stories to two, decreasing land clearing, modifying stormwater management strategies, and adjusting the driveway shared with Adams to better accommodate surrounding properties.
Environmental objections have also been voiced. Scenic Hudson has cautioned that the combination of both projects could harm nearby forests, disrupt the area’s scenic qualities, and threaten habitats for endangered species.
Kingston’s extreme lack of housing options — particularly affordable ones — is in part due to the area’s struggle to balance development of housing with community concerns over preserving open space and maintaining current homeowners’ own quality of life.
The Town of Ulster Planning Board is scheduled to review the revised proposal next week, with the Town Board expected to make a decision later in June.