In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the upcoming public hearing for proposed local law number 9 of 2024, which aims to provide real property tax exemptions for new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in accordance with New York State law. The hearing is scheduled for September 17 at 7 PM.

Deputy Executive Contreras and Director Doyle elaborated on the law, which offers a 100% exemption on the county portion of property taxes for the first two years after the creation of an ADU, gradually decreasing to 20% or 25% in the final two years. This initiative is designed to encourage the construction of new housing units without increasing the tax burden on homeowners.

While the law does not mandate that ADUs be affordable, it includes provisions to prevent their use as short-term rentals, requiring homeowners to sign an affidavit affirming compliance. Violations could result in the loss of tax exemptions. The city of Kingston has already adopted similar measures, allowing for a limited number of short-term rentals while enforcing strict regulations.

The meeting also touched on the need for a countywide inter-municipal water and sewer feasibility study, which was postponed for further discussion. This study aims to assess the current conditions and capacities of water and sewer systems across the county, which is crucial for supporting future housing developments and economic growth. Officials emphasized the importance of understanding these infrastructures to ensure they can accommodate new housing and meet community needs.

Overall, the discussions highlighted the county's commitment to addressing housing shortages through innovative tax incentives while also ensuring that essential infrastructure is adequately assessed and maintained.