Credit: Patrick Grego
The Stanford Town Board has delayed a vote on a proposed law that would permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all of the town’s zoning districts, following a public hearing on Thursday, Aug. 8. The proposed law, which aims to address housing shortages, received mixed reactions from residents, leading the board to postpone the vote for further review.
“Thank you all very much for coming out and voicing your concerns,” Town Supervisor Wendy Burton said to the more than 30 people in attendance. “I recommend that we do not vote on this tonight and instead go back, examine the issues that were brought up, and return with a new, improved, tweaked version of the law.” The board unanimously agreed to postpone the decision.
The legislation is intended to increase the supply of rental housing, encourage the creation of smaller dwelling units and promote the efficient use of existing housing stock. It stems from the town’s comprehensive plan, passed last December, which identified updating ADU regulations as a key priority.
“We are trying to come up with ways to create more rental opportunities in our town,” Burton said. “We can’t control the prices of anything — that’s not in our wheelhouse. But the hope is that there are units that our own grown kids can afford to live in and that our aging population can live in.”
Under the proposed Local Law #7 of 2024, drafted by the town’s Zoning Commission and refined by the Town Board, ADUs could be new structures, additions to existing single-family homes or conversions of existing structures. They would need to comply with building codes and zoning regulations and obtain approval from the Dutchess County Department of Health. The law also includes provisions for parking, size requirements and occupancy standards, as well as a ban on short-term rentals within five years of the issuing of a certificate of occupancy.
Currently, under the town’s zoning law, homeowners with a 10-acre lot or larger can build an additional two-story home on their property without seeking approval from the Planning Board. “The thought behind what was proposed is to equalize it,” said Thomas Angell, chair of the Planning Board. “To treat the large landowner the same as a small landowner. Since the large landowner doesn’t need to go before the board, the small landowner shouldn’t have to either to put in an ADU.”
Members of the Town Board also acknowledged that for most residents, constructing an ADU would be cost-prohibitive, with building-supply costs alone serving as a constraint on what some residents feared could be a surge in new ADU construction.
The public hearing highlighted several concerns, primarily related to septic systems and setback regulations. Residents also expressed worries about the impact on wildlife and water quality in neighborhoods near lakes and streams.
One resident questioned whether setback approvals would be granted “willy-nilly” and sought clarification on if a hot plate would be considered a cooktop. While he acknowledged the need for more housing for seniors and young people, he expressed surprise at the announcement of the law and suggested delaying the vote for at least a month to give more people time to understand it.
“This is our first attempt to just do something,” said Town Board member Julia Descoteaux. “We don’t even have enough housing to support people who are currently here. We have a very hard time attracting younger families because, one, they can’t afford to buy a house, and two, they can’t afford the rent here. I know several families who have left Stanford for that reason.”
“Who are you trying to get into those places?” asked Stanfordville resident Debra Dillinger. “Is it the locals? Or just people from anywhere?”
“The way this was written was just to address the shortage of housing in general,” Descoteaux responded. “Our hope is that we will create more housing space in Stanford. We can’t control who moves in.”
After hearing public comments, Burton thanked the community for their feedback, and the board agreed to postpone the vote.
In other town business, ongoing issues with local postal services were also discussed. Burton acknowledged the frustrations of residents affected by continuous missing and delayed mail from the USPS. “We’ve received so many complaints from people,” she said. Burton explained that the town had lost two postal carriers to retirement, and similar staffing shortages in Pine Plains have led to significant delays in mail delivery.
Burton suggested that residents affected by the postal delays consider stopping their mail delivery and picking it up at the Pine Plains post office, despite the inconvenience. “It’s 18 miles, but you’ll get your mail,” she said. Burton encouraged residents to voice their concerns to the post office and federal representatives, as the town government has limited influence over postal operations.
The next Town Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 12, when further discussions on the ADU law and postal service issues are expected.