At Stanford’s first Town Board meeting of the year, held Thursday evening, housing initiatives took center stage as officials discussed updates to a proposed accessory dwelling unit (ADU) law and reviewed the state’s Good Cause Eviction legislation, enacted last April. The board also unveiled a regional partnership with Pine Plains, Amenia, North East, and the nonprofit Hudson River Housing to pursue state funding for ADUs.
Credit: Patrick Grego
Local Law No. 1 of 2025 marks the third iteration of Stanford’s ADU legislation, following an initial public hearing last August. The revised law aims to streamline the approval process for property owners by eliminating the requirement for a special use permit, instead granting ADU construction “as of right” status.
Key updates include a reduction in the maximum allowable size of ADUs, from 1,800 square feet to 1,500 square feet, while maintaining a limit of one ADU per property alongside the principal residence and prohibiting their inclusion in duplexes or two-family homes. The law also upholds Dutchess County’s stringent standards for septic and well systems.
Additional provisions address parking requirements, compliance with building codes, and a ban on using ADUs as short-term rentals, ensuring the measure prioritizes long-term housing solutions.
During the public hearing, proponents praised the law as a crucial step toward creating much-needed housing options, while critics raised questions about its effects on existing deed restrictions and the environment.
Walter Czachorowski, president of the Upton Lake Homeowners Association, urged the Board to exempt properties surrounding the lake from the proposed ADU legislation, citing existing deed restrictions that limit the number of families allowed per property in the neighborhood. He cautioned that litigation could ensue if the law were applied to the area.
However, according to town attorney Robert Butts, the proposed legislation does not override or nullify existing restrictions outlined in property deeds.
Stanfordville resident Anna Price expressed concern that the legislation could turn the town into “an Airbnb mecca” if short-term rental regulations were not implemented concurrently. Butts sought to reassure residents, stating, “We’re going to have a separate law regulating short-term rentals.”
Supporters of the law cited its potential benefits. Stanford resident Nate Kimball noted that the proposal would require adherence to strict septic and building regulations. “Building modern, safe, affordable housing with updated septic systems could even improve water quality,” Kimball said. He framed the law as a way to help families stay in Stanford and attract new residents who otherwise could not afford to live in the area.
Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago was present and expressed his belief in the the importance of town support for ADUs, highlighting that the second wave of funding in the state’s Plus One ADU Program offers up to $125,000 per household for renovation or construction of new units.
“This is free money,” Drago said, adding that embracing ADUs could simplify the funding process. “When we talk about affordability and housing, supporting ADUs is a critical first step.”
Although Dutchess County did not participate in the program’s first wave of funding and has opted out of the second, Stanford has joined neighboring towns which are actively pursuing funding. The board issued written support for Hudson River Housing’s application to the program, which aims to address the state’s housing shortage. Each application is managed by a housing nonprofit, which works with its municipal partners to organize and distribute the funds if awarded.
Stanford has partnered with Pine Plains, North East and Amenia — previously known as the Tri-Town Coalition and now dubbed “The Quadfecta” — to collaborate on the application ahead of the Jan. 15 deadline. Grant recipients are expected to be announced in February 2025.
The meeting included a presentation by Naomi Dann of Housing Justice for All, a nonprofit advocating for tenant rights statewide. Dann detailed the Good Cause Eviction law that requires landlords to provide specific reasons for terminating a tenancy and offers additional safeguards for tenants facing eviction proceedings. According to a state website, the law also establishes that annual rent increases exceeding 10% or 5% plus the Consumer Price Index (whichever is lower) are presumptively unreasonable, protecting renters from price gouging.
While these protections are mandatory in New York City, municipalities outside the city must opt in. Board member Julia Descoteaux noted that approximately 16% of Stanford residents rent their homes. Should the board adopt the Good Cause Eviction law, Stanford would join a growing list of Hudson Valley towns, including Croton-on-Hudson, Beacon, Fishkill, Kingston and Hudson in adopting the measure.
The board is expected to hold a vote on the revised ADU law during its next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 13.