The Department of Planning and Development is responsible for comprehensive county-wide planning, Greenway program implementation, farmland and open space preservation, review of municipal planning and zoning development projects, planning assistance to local governments, technical expertise on community development and affordable housing, transportation planning, implementation of certain grant programs, and mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) data.
Comprehensive array of information and tools to help communities plan for future growth and preservation
Solar, Climate Smart Communities, SEQR, and Natural Resource Inventory (NRI)
Find out about the Dutchess County Transportation Council (DCTC)
Find out about grant programs for municipalities, nonprofits, developers, and senior citizens
Find out about the variety of boards and committees we participate in or lead
Demographics, agriculture, major projects, rental housing, homelessness, traffic counts, and GIS
View our maps, or try out mapping tools for referrals, bicycle parking and more!
Find out about annual training sessions for local Planning Board and ZBA members
Annual reports, bimonthly articles, and more expansive studies
Planning and Development forms in one convenient location
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST THE RELEASE OF FUNDS
January 15, 2025
County of Dutchess
85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 107
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-486-3600/cdhousing@dutchessny.gov
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the County of Dutchess.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about February 1, 2025, the County of Dutchess will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (PL 93-383), to undertake the following project:
Project Name: T. Clinton Friends Park Improvements II
Project Description: This project involves adding a new combo tennis/pickleball court (1 full size tennis court capable of being used as 4 smaller pickleball courts) to Friends Park in the Town of Clinton, NY, including a standard chain-linked fence that will surround the courts. A short asphalt path will also be added that connects the courts to an existing bathroom building.
Project Cost: Total project cost is estimated to be $125,000 with $125,000 being provided by HUD CDBG funds.
Project Location: 2350 Salt Point Turnpike, Clinton, New York 12514
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The County of Dutchess has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the County of Dutchess, Department of Planning and Development, 85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 107, Poughkeepsie NY 12601 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Dutchess County Department of Planning and Development at 85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 107, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, or via email at cdhousing@dutchessny.gov. All comments received by January 31, 2025, will be considered by the County of Dutchess prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The County of Dutchess certifies to HUD that Eoin Wrafter in his capacity as Commissioner of Dutchess County Planning and Development consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the County of Dutchess to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the County of Dutchess’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the County of Dutchess; (b) the County of Dutchess has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Abigail Ford, Community Planning and Development Director, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development at 26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3513, New York NY 10278, or via email to CPDRROFNYC@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Eoin Wrafter, Commissioner, Dutchess County Planning and Development
85 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 107, Poughkeepsie NY 12601
Funding Opportunities
We are pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Community Development Block Grant Municipal Program (CDBG) and the 2025 HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME).
The CDBG Municipal Program provides funding for critical infrastructure needs that benefit low-to-moderate income Dutchess County residents. Applicants must hold a public hearing and submit a Letter of Intent by February 3, 2025. Final applications will be due on March 3, 2025. Application instructions and guidance can be found here.
The HOME Program provides funding for the creation, preservation, or rehabilitation of affordable housing for Dutchess County residents. Applications are due February 21, 2025. The 2025 HOME Program policies and procedures can be found here.
Environmental Planning Updates
We are excited to announce the release of Dutchess County’s latest Natural Resource Inventory (NRI)! Please visit nri.dutchessenvironment.com to learn more about the natural resources of Dutchess County. Be sure to use the accompanying Environmental Mapper application, which helps guide land-use decisions and natural resource protection.
In 2023, Dutchess County began participating in the Hudson Valley Regional Council’s (HVRC) Climate Action Planning Institute (CAPI). CAPI is a facilitated, collaborative working group through which a select group of local governments develop greenhouse gas emissions inventories and climate actions plans.
Dutchess County's Government Operations GHG Inventory Report and Communitywide GHG Inventory Report have recently been published, and following a yearlong planning endeavor including a several week public comment period, the County has adopted its first Climate Action Plan for government operations on July 3, 2024 via Executive Order.
Please see the Dutchess County Climate Smart Task Forces Annual Progress Report for 2023 to learn more about the many programs, projects, initiatives, and goals the Climate Smart Task Force members have accomplished in 2023, and will continue to work on in 2024.
Dutchess County Eviction Prevention Line
Dutchess County residents needing information about resources to help them avert eviction can call 211, or alternatively, 1-800-899-1479; choose to continue in English or Spanish; and press 7 to select the Dutchess Eviction Prevention Line. Specially trained 211 staff will ask tenants a series of questions and then provide them a customized list of programs which currently have funding and for which the tenant appears eligible based on the information provided; staff will also refer tenants to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, as appropriate. There is an online tool, with which residents can submit answers to the questions and receive a contact back from 211 with their customized resources.
Housing Reports
Find out about annual and special housing reports published by our Department:
DCPF eNewsletter – Current Issue:
Protecting Wetlands and Streams in Your Community – Grasping their Vital Role as New York Implements Regulatory and Mapping Changes, January-March 2024