POUGHKEEPSIE — The City of Poughkeepsie Zoning Board of Appeals is opposing a proposed 82-unit apartment building on South Avenue, between Route 9 and the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. The ZBA will hold a public hearing on the Bridgeworx project, proposed for 287-307 South Ave., at 6 p.m. June 9 at City Hall.
The developer’s planning consultant has appeared before the ZBA multiple times in recent months, seeking to advance the Bridgeworx project. The consultant has been in discussions with city departments, including public works, police and fire, to assess whether on-street parking on South Avenue would be feasible. The consultant said South Avenue meets requirements to add parking on both sides of the street.
However, the ZBA has voiced opposition to on-street parking in the area.
Plans call for a five-story building with 48 parking spaces on the ground level, 54 one-bedroom, 24 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom apartments across five floors, and a rooftop patio. The developers are seeking a variance to reduce the required number of on-site parking spaces, moving the remainder to South Avenue. As initially proposed, the project would require 93 on-site spaces, but Bridgeworx is requesting approval for only 83 spaces, with 48 provided on site.
ZBA President Scott Parker said he supports the idea of on-street parking for guests and deliveries but cannot back a variance reducing on-site parking for the location. Other board members noted the project is being built on vacant land, making it easier to design a property that meets code requirements.
Board members also raised concerns that funeral processions entering the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery often line up along South Avenue, temporarily pulling to the side to allow through traffic on Route 9 southbound. The board said that apartment-related vehicles parked on the street could impede processions and disrupt traffic flow.
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