Kingston council introduces ordinance to amend 2023 zoning rules

The Town Council of the Municipality of Kingston on March 16 introduced Ordinance 2026-4, a proposed amendment to sections of the town's 2023 Zoning Ordinance that would change definitions (Article 2), zoning district regulations (Article 5), supplemental use regulations (Article 8) and off-street parking and loading rules (Article 10).

Council President Kate McMahon said the introduction was a procedural step required before the ordinance can be adopted and that council and legal counsel expected to make “slight adjustments to the language” after reviewing comments received during the public hearing. The council had corrected the agenda earlier to note that the March 2 meeting minutes would be adopted at the April regular meeting.

Council Vice President John Chernesky moved to introduce the ordinance; Councilmember Bill Manley seconded the motion. The council recorded six yes votes from members present — Bill Manley, Paul Keating, Nancy Cooper, Al Littzi, John Chernesky and Kate McMahon — with Councilmember Doug Rush noted as excused. The clerk recorded the ordinance as introduced; introduction is not final adoption.

The ordinance text as described at the meeting identifies the specific 2023 Zoning Ordinance sections to be amended but the minutes note that council and the solicitor anticipate minor language edits before the finalized version is brought for adoption. No formal adoption vote occurred at the special meeting; the record shows the introduction vote only.

After the introduction, Councilmember Nancy Cooper moved to adjourn; Councilmember Paul Keating seconded, and the meeting ended at 8:52 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Motion to introduce Ordinance 2026-4 — mover: John Chernesky; seconder: Bill Manley; recorded vote: Yes (Manley, Keating, Cooper, Littzi, Chernesky, McMahon); Excused: Doug Rush; outcome: ordinance introduced (procedural), adoption pending.