Last Thursday, the Troy City Council voted to rezone much of Hoosick Street. The zoning changes seek to discourage the suburban shopping-center development that has been occurring.
The proposal attempts to retain an urban feel for Hoosick Street by requiring developments to be built near the road without stretches of parking lot in front. It is hoped that this will spur pedestrian traffic, and discourage the en masse arrival of big-box outlets that have become common.
The rezoning will divide Hoosick Street into the waterfront area, the commerce center, and eastern-end professional offices. The designation of the lower end of Hoosick as a waterfront zone is expected to further the development of retail and light industrial operations there.
The zoning also includes a provision for large 12-foot sidewalks to give pedestrians a sense of safety. The zoning changes seek to protect Troy’s residential neighborhoods while attempting to bring a more urban feel to Troy.
