Kingston residents will get a chance Thursday evening to learn more about the latest version of what city officials hope will become an entirely new zoning code.

A presentation of the new code’s second draft is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall, 420 Broadway, and online via Zoom.

The new code was developed by Florida-based consulting firm Dover, Kohl and Associates under a $500,000 contract with the city. It is intended to entirely replace the city’s current zoning code which was adopted in the early 1960s. Proponents of the effort say Kingston’s current land use regulations are outdated, overly complex and onerous for everyday property owners.

The new code will be “form-based,” emphasizing design elements like setback, building height and architectural styles rather than designating different neighborhoods for different uses. The draft code divides the city into “transects” ranging from dense, mixed-use urban core neighborhoods like the Broadway corridor to suburban areas and rural conservation zones. City Director of Housing initiatives Bartek Starodaj has said the goal of the new code is to allow city neighborhoods to accommodate new uses while maintaining their look and character. The code also includes a number of provisions to encourage the development of affordable housing and create a denser, more walkable urban environment.

On Thursday, the Dover, Kohl project team will present a second draft of the code that includes a number of changes, including a citywide ban on new non-owner-occupied short-term rentals. An earlier version of the plan allowed for new non-owner-occupied STR units in some of the city’s densest neighborhoods like the Broadway Corridor.

The latest draft also increases affordable housing requirements for projects of 50 or more units and creates new incentives to build “workforce housing” aimed at people making 100 percent of the Area Median Income. The draft also includes new design standards for “Accessory Dwelling Units” built into existing properties and, for the first time, allows basement apartments, in the city.

Following Thursday’s presentation, there will be a public comment period running through the end of the month during which residents and other stakeholders can submit written comments on the latest draft. Those comments will inform development of the next draft. City officials say they expect the code will undergo at least two more revisions before a final version is submitted to the Common Council for approval. The new zoning regulations will also need to be vetted under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.

Registration is required to participate in Thursday’s presentation online. To register and for additional information go to www.kingston-ny.gov or visit the meeting's event page on Facebook.