To the editor: 

I read with interest the Democrat’s January 2 article on development proposals in Monticello that require zoning waivers. The Democrat reports that Village Attorney Michael Sussman stated that unless the developer had tried to develop the site for its existing commercial zoning purposes, a waiver for a residential development could not even be considered. 

At a time of a chronic housing shortage, why is the first thought of the Village to enforce arbitrary, decades old zoning rules rather than engage in a discussion to meet the needs of the community? The long-term underinvestment in Monticello should be evidence enough that flexibility and change, not rigid deference to the past, is what Monticello needs.

Kingston, NY, in 2023, passed forward looking zoning rules that removed the artificial delineations used by Villages like Monticello and embraced a set of policies clearly focused on livability, adaptive reuse of older buildings and flexible development. Monticello, as well as the other communities in our county, should follow Kingston’s lead and reform their ineffective approach to development.

Michael Huber

Jeffersonville