City development staff to mail historic‑district outreach packets and online map to property owners

Europa McGovern, the City of Poughkeepsie’s commissioner of development, told the Historic District and Landmark Preservation Commission on Thursday that development staff have prepared a three‑part outreach packet and an online map viewer to help property owners understand HDLPC review requirements and available resources.

"We really want to, just like how, development staff... we also wanna make sure that we're getting out the information and resources to impacted property owners," McGovern said, introducing the materials. The mailed packet will include: (1) a short introductory letter explaining that the recipient’s property is locally designated and that certain exterior changes may require HDLPC review, (2) a color map with a QR code linking to an online map viewer the city will host, and (3) a pamphlet summarizing the COA and permit process with guidance titled “Wait before you renovate.”

Staff demonstrated the online map viewer during the meeting; the interactive map shows locally designated districts, highlights impacted properties and links to HDLPC resources on the city website. McGovern said the plan is to print the maps on heavy stock, place the materials in a Manila envelope and mail them to the more than 120 impacted properties; staff also plan to post the PDFs on the HDLPC webpage and distribute copies at public events such as Porchfest.

Commissioners welcomed the packet as a practical tool to reduce unpermitted exterior work and to centralize resources. Staff also noted that links to federal and state historic tax‑credit programs (through the State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service) are included in the HDLPC FAQs and will be referenced in the outreach materials.

Less critical details: staff said they could expedite a small number of printed packets for commissioners to distribute at neighborhood events, and that the packet design may be refined based on feedback.