Advisory Group Updates Committee on Tree Ordinance, Wetland Jurisdiction and Native‑Plant Resources
May 29, 2025 | Kingston, Ulster County, New York
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An environmental advisory representative updated the City of Kingston Public Safety and Government Committee on multiple planning and conservation items, including ongoing comments on the city’s tree ordinance, recent changes to DEC wetland rules and a forthcoming resource list for native and low‑maintenance plantings.
The representative said the advisory group had submitted written comments to the city’s urban forester about the tree ordinance and was awaiting a response; the group has compiled suggested edits and planned to follow up at the committee’s June meeting. They advised that the DEC implemented new wetland regulations effective Jan. 1 and explained that because Kingston falls within an urban area definition, wetlands in the city may be subject to protection if a jurisdictional determination is requested.
The presenter explained that anyone — a property owner or the city — can request a jurisdictional determination from DEC; DEC has 90 days to respond and, if DEC does not respond, a certified‑letter follow‑up is part of the requester’s options for escalating the inquiry. The presenter said they had written to city planning and parks engineering to flag changes and asked planning to include a short paragraph in its guidance to staff so planners would be aware of the rule change.
On plantings, the group described a resource list developed by a staff member at a local land trust (described in the record as the Winnity Land Trust in Redhook) that catalogs native species, suppliers and how to locate assistance; the group plans to publish the list on its website and suggested planning staff link to it to help meet form‑based code planting requirements.
The presenter also mentioned regional environmental training recordings and noted Bard College’s air‑quality monitoring program is expanding equipment and outreach; the presenter offered to send links and materials to committee members.
No formal committee action was recorded on these items during the meeting; the matters were presented for information and coordination between the advisory group and city staff.
The representative said the advisory group had submitted written comments to the city’s urban forester about the tree ordinance and was awaiting a response; the group has compiled suggested edits and planned to follow up at the committee’s June meeting. They advised that the DEC implemented new wetland regulations effective Jan. 1 and explained that because Kingston falls within an urban area definition, wetlands in the city may be subject to protection if a jurisdictional determination is requested.
The presenter explained that anyone — a property owner or the city — can request a jurisdictional determination from DEC; DEC has 90 days to respond and, if DEC does not respond, a certified‑letter follow‑up is part of the requester’s options for escalating the inquiry. The presenter said they had written to city planning and parks engineering to flag changes and asked planning to include a short paragraph in its guidance to staff so planners would be aware of the rule change.
On plantings, the group described a resource list developed by a staff member at a local land trust (described in the record as the Winnity Land Trust in Redhook) that catalogs native species, suppliers and how to locate assistance; the group plans to publish the list on its website and suggested planning staff link to it to help meet form‑based code planting requirements.
The presenter also mentioned regional environmental training recordings and noted Bard College’s air‑quality monitoring program is expanding equipment and outreach; the presenter offered to send links and materials to committee members.
No formal committee action was recorded on these items during the meeting; the matters were presented for information and coordination between the advisory group and city staff.
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