A recessed Woodstock Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on the legality of new building permits granted for Selina Woodstock, new owners of The Lodge (formerly the Pinecrest), was closed last Thursday, May 9, following another courtroom-like flurry of opposing statements from attorneys for the restaurant/inn and a neighbor. A decision was set to be made by the ZBA’s next meeting on May 23.
The law attempts to strike a balance between homeowners trying to supplement their income and continue to afford to keep their property while trying to keep entrepreneurs from buying properties and operating short-term rentals as a primary business.
Faced with growing development pressures, including the proposed development of the former West Hurley School into rental apartments, the Town of Hurley is seeking to pass a moratorium on any and all multifamily dwellings for nine months.
Issues regarding building permits, renovation allowances, pool safety and the transformation of what was known as The Lodge and is now struggling to become Selina Woodstock grew even more complicated this past week.
Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum made the proposal in the waning days of his administration last year. But, despite facing a $900,000 shortfall in projected revenues from fees paid by other agencies to house inmates at the facility, both County Executive-elect Pat Ryan and Sheriff Juan Figueroa said this week that the idea was a non-starter.
The board believes building permits should not have been granted because a stop-work order was in effect on the property at the time.
Pat Ryan scored a decisive victory — and claimed a mandate for a progressive county government — in Tuesday’s special election to fill the remainder of former county executive Mike Hein’s term.
The town has discussed placing a hold on applications for 5G facilities until it studies the health ramifications and it can sort out what it can and can’t do, but that might place it in legal jeopardy.
Woodstockers filled Town Hall to once again raise their concerns over proposed short-term rental regulations that pits residents seeking affordable long term housing against those trying to make a business out of the shared economy — though a great many of those are just trying to rent a room or two to afford the tax bill and keep their homes.
The Town of Olive is looking for big changes come November, albeit big in Olive’s small town way.
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