Kingston Council Poised to Override Mayor’s Veto on Rent Control
UPDATE: Kingston lawmakers have announced a special meeting set for Tuesday, December 30, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. to vote on overriding Mayor Steve Noble’s veto of a crucial resolution to maintain rent control protections under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). Alderwoman Michele Hirsch is confident that the council has the necessary six votes to counter the mayor’s decision, which could significantly impact the housing security of hundreds of residents.
This urgent development comes just days before four new council members will be sworn in, making this potentially the council’s final decision in its current form. Hirsch criticized Noble’s veto, stating, “Although the mayor and landlord lobby appear aligned, that has no bearing on any legal challenge… We remain confident that the City of Kingston’s Rent Stabilization laws will endure.”
The ETPA currently protects approximately 1,000 units in Kingston, applying to all buildings of six units or more constructed before 1974. However, Mayor Noble has proposed limiting these protections to buildings with 22 units or larger, a move that would strip protections from 40% of the current units covered. This has sparked fierce opposition from tenant advocates and local officials alike.
In response to the mayor’s assertions of factual inaccuracies in the council’s findings, Alderman Michael Tierney and Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha joined Hirsch in condemning Noble’s veto. Tenant advocates and legal experts specializing in tenant rights have also criticized the proposed changes, stating that they overlook critical data from the 2025 vacancy study, which found that the vacancy rate for pre-1974 buildings with nine or more units fell below the 5% threshold necessary to justify ending ETPA protections.
The mayor has warned that overriding his veto may lead to legal challenges against the council. Richard Lanzarone, executive director of the landlord advocacy group Housing Providers of New York State, stated, “Should the council override the mayor with the resolution in its current form, we stand ready to do whatever is necessary to defend property rights and uphold the law.” Lanzarone emphasized that landlords would not pursue legal action if ETPA protections were limited as proposed by Noble.
However, tenant rights advocates argue that limiting protections would leave many vulnerable to unaffordable rent increases. After Noble’s veto, several advocates highlighted past incidents, including the controversial 2023 workforce housing deal involving the 266-unit Stony Run apartment complex, which was initially proposed to be removed from ETPA protections.
In a defensive email following the veto, Mayor Noble asserted, “My administration has done more in the field of affordable housing than any of my predecessors… The legislation approved by the Common Council was flawed and vulnerable to a successful legal challenge.” He pledged to collaborate with the council to create a more robust legislative framework.
As the special meeting approaches, the outcome of the council’s vote could redefine housing security for Kingston residents. All eyes are on the council as they prepare to make a historic decision that will affect the lives of many in the community.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story unfolds and watch for the council’s crucial vote on December 30.
