The Planning Board's review of Mill Street Lofts has gone on for a year now, and surprisingly things were revealed about the project for the first time last night.
Possibly inspired by the questionably "affordable" rents at the soon-to-be completed Hudson Depot Lofts, Mill Street resident Lakia Walker asked about the affordability of the apartments in this project, noting that "affordable" was not the same as "low-income." The answer to her question had to be disappointing for those who advocated for the project by citing homeless people and those displaced by rising housing costs.
Sean Kearney described the building as "mixed income," for households at three income levels: up to 30 percent of the AMI (area median income), up to 60 percent of the AMI, and up to 100 percent of the AMI. The majority of the apartments (54) would be for households with incomes up to 60 percent of the AMI; 9 apartments would be reserved for households in the lower income band (30 percent AMI) and 7 for households in the higher income band (100 percent AMI). The size of the apartments was also revealed for the first time: 43 one-bedroom; 21 two-bedroom, and 6 three-bedroom. When asked how many apartments of each size were designated for each income band, Kearney said he would provide that information to the Planning Board.
Another issue that hadn't been discussed before was a drainage ditch or trench that is part of the plan to move water off the site. Planning Board member Veronica Concra, who voted against granting site plan approval, called the trench an attractive nuisance and said it was creating something of danger--a trench 24 feet wide and 6 feet deep filled with moving water. She called for visuals to show the trench, guardrails, and the sidewalk to which it is adjacent. There were also requests for some modeling to show the height of the buildings in the context of the terrain. Despite these requests and concerns, the vote on approving the project went forward.
As reported previously, the project was approved, by a vote of 4 to 2. Theresa Joyner, Randall Martin, Gene Shetsky, and Bettina Young all voted to approve the project. The two newest members of the Planning Board--Veronica Concra and Gabrielle Hoffmann--voted against it.
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When will the first car crash occur at the bottom of the 2nd street hill when a resident loses their brakes, slides down all or part of the hill on snow and ice, or some other freak shit that will be labeled an "accident"?
ReplyDeleteIt sure will be quiet down there (though less quiet than it is now), but who would want to live down there when walking to and from Warren Street 4 blocks or so away would be a hassle or, for some, impossible? Hell, to get to State Street is a chore and a sweat. That hill is brutal and it has no shoulders or sidewalks.
It’s another Galvan Depot Lofts 2: Electric Boogaloo
ReplyDeleteDo we know how much tax revenue the Mill Street property will yield... and if they will be eligible for, or apply for, a PILOT tax break?
ReplyDeleteIf there are 70 apartments.... let's say the building has 150 permanent new residents.
What is the average property and school tax yield per person to the City of Hudson and HCSD?
Of course they will ask for pilots. That and getting the land for almost nothing is how these developers make a killing, off the city’s assets and backs of taxpayers.
DeleteYes, it will add 150 new residents or more. Many who will likely be power users of city services, schools, and infrastructure. But after pilots, many of these types of housing projects pay only a few hundreds of dollars a year in pilots, while homeowners (and renters though their rents) pay tens of thousands. All for the promise of a handful of “affordable” apartments for “locals” that will likely be rented to out of towners.
The next question after “should we” build, is always “can we afford it.” Answer: we cannot. Just like the Galvan Faux Luxury Depot Lofts, another developer’s dream and championed by Mayor Kamal Johnson.
Speaking of champions, this was also a Michelle Tullo project. Why is she never at these meetings to advocate for the deal she brokered with these developers. Explain to the Mill St community and disgruntled locals that will have to enter a lottery for the few affordable apartments how this is “housing justice.” We pay her over $80,000 a year and we see her around less than the mayor?
Has anyone read the NYS in depth guide and regulations for development in floodplains? Perhaps take a peek.
ReplyDelete