Council approves Resolution No. 94 — Adopting Local Law No. 6 of 2026 (Short-Term Rentals)

Resolution No. 94 — Adopting Local Law No. 6 of 2026 (Short-Term Rentals)

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Resolution No. 95 — Adopting Revised FMLA Policy

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Resolution No. 96 — Local Law No. 7 (Fishkill Creek District and Hotels) TABLED

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Resolution No. 97 — Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant Application

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Approval of October 19, 2026 Minutes

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Building moratorium request

Some residents want a moratorium on new construction until the Comprehensive Plan is updated. The city attorney explained courts frown on broad moratoria — they need a narrow purpose, a short duration and active progress toward study.

What it means: Residents who feel development is outpacing the city's planning.

Short-Term Rental Regulations Review

The adopted update drops the 100-day occupancy cap (hard to enforce) and strengthens enforcement of the STR rules.

What it means: Neighbors affected by party houses and code enforcement staff get clearer rules.

Pedestrian Easement Modification at 18-20 West Main Street

The property owner at 18-20 West Main Street wants the city to modify a utility and pedestrian path easement reserved when the city sold the adjoining land in 2017, to accommodate redevelopment. The utilities would go underground along Beekman Street and the path requirement would be adjusted.

What it means: The property owner redeveloping 18-20 West Main Street, and eventually users of the improved site.

Fishkill Creek Development District Zoning Amendments

The council is rewriting zoning in the Fishkill Creek district to clarify and permit hotels — and to remove the density formula that subtracted steep slopes and wetlands from unit counts. Neighbors say it's rushed and developer-driven; the council slowed down to add a 50% residential minimum.

What it means: Developers and hotel operators seeking to build in the district, plus residents if added housing includes below-market-rate units.

Revised FMLA Leave Policy for City Employees

The city is updating its family and medical leave policy for the first time since 2015. It spells out how city workers take job-protected leave for births, health conditions, and military family needs.

What it means: City employees and their families who need protected leave.

Proposed 2027 Operating Budget

Fire's 2027 budget shows ambulance service costs jumping about 94% as the 2021 contracts expire, plus a 17% salary increase. The city is exploring shared EMS services with Fishkill-area communities to cut per-capita costs, and still hopes for federal SAFER grants to add firefighters.

What it means: Ambulance service costs rise about $218,000 in the proposed 2027 budget, a direct pressure on property taxes.

Fishkill Creek Development District Zoning Updates

The council is scheduled to adopt zoning changes for the Fishkill Creek Development District and hotel rules, with an environmental review finding of no significant impact. This shapes what can be built along the Fishkill Creek corridor.

What it means: Developers and residents seeking clear rules for the corridor's future.

2027 Comprehensive Plan Update Preparation

Beacon's 10-year-old Comprehensive Plan is due for an update. The council authorized a Greenway grant application (up to $50,000) to help pay for it, with a state CFA grant already pending and a budget-amendment fallback if neither comes through.

What it means: Up to $50,000 in grant funding sought; if no grant comes through, a budget amendment would fund the process.

Flock Safety Cameras and Privacy Concerns

Residents packed public comment demanding Beacon end its Flock ALPR contract, citing data privacy, hacking risk and misuse by other agencies. Councilmembers Amber Grant and Paloma Wake both said the risks outweigh the benefits; legal options were discussed in executive session.

What it means: Residents concerned about mass surveillance, and motorists whose travel data would no longer be shared across 400 agencies.