Referred to: The Health, Human Services and Housing Committee (Chairman Uchitelle and Legislators Collins, Corcoran, Harmon, Kitchen, Lopez, and McCollough), The Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee (Chairwoman Sperry and Legislators Clinton, Corcoran, Hewitt, Litts, Stewart and Walls), and The Ways and Means Committee (Chairman Gavaris and Legislators Collins, Hansut, Kovacs, Nolan, and Roberts)

Chairwoman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee, Megan Sperry, and Deputy Chair Herbert Litts, III offer the following:

WHEREAS, this resolution has been submitted at the request of the County

Executive on behalf of the Department of Planning; and

WHEREAS, modular construction is a construction technique which involves the prefabrication of 2D panels or 3D volumetric structures in off-site factories and transportation to construction sites for assembly; and

WHEREAS, the modular construction process has been shown to be, in many circumstances, superior to traditional construction process in terms of both time and costs, with reported time savings of between 20 and 50 percent faster than traditional building techniques; and

WHEREAS, utilizing modular techniques and sustainable construction methods can lower the overall environmental impact of construction through reduced emissions, reduced waste, material reusability, and increased energy efficiency; and

WHEREAS, Ulster County’s Housing Action Plan and its Housing Smart Communities Initiative illuminate the significant housing shortages within the county and includes a recommendation to support innovative approaches to reducing the cost of housing including the creation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and other modular construction techniques; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 15 of October 2022 and Resolution No. 501 of February 2024 the Ulster County Legislature authorized and application to the HTFC whereby the County in partnership with RUPCO has been awarded a total of $6,750,000.00 through the Plus One ADU Program for the construction of ADUs within the County; and

WHEREAS, individual ADU projects using modular construction techniques that are being developed through the County’s Plus One ADU Program have generally included lower costs and shorter construction times, providing an important path forward for program grantees; and

WHEREAS, the modular construction industry has grown and advanced significantly over the past 10-15 years and the adoption of these construction practices in Ulster County could provide significant community benefits including reductions in the cost of building and maintaining both market rate and affordable housing, promotion of more sustainable building practices, workforce training opportunities for the construction industry, and help foster innovation and economic development opportunities in Ulster County by developing or attracting modular construction companies to locate in the county; and

WHEREAS, the support and growth of the modular construction industry in Ulster County would require a strategic planning process that should include, but not be limited to, education and outreach regarding modular construction; collaboration with the county’s construction and workforce training communities; and development and implementation of strategies to support the growth of the modular construction industry in Ulster County; and

WHEREAS, the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) were created to advance efforts to improve New York’s business climate and expand economic growth and includes the Strategic Planning and Feasibility Studies Program to support planning grants for future development for communities and urban areas across New York State; and

WHEREAS, the County share will be fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars or a maximum of 50% of the total project costs; and

WHEREAS, the County desires to submit application to utilize funding from this program for the development of the Ulster County Modular Construction Strategic Plan for Affordable Housing; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the Director of the Ulster County Planning Department, is hereby authorized to submit online applications through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for the New York State Empire State Development for funding up to grant’s maximum award amount of $100,000 for the development of the Ulster County Modular Construction Strategic Plan for Affordable Housing; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of all grant applications shall be filed with the Clerk of the Legislature upon submission,

and moves its adoption.

ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:                       NOES:             

Passed Committee: Health, Human Services and Housing on ________________.

Passed Committee: Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture on ________________.

Passed Committee: Ways and Means on ________________.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

STATE SHARE WILL BE A MAXIMUM OF 50% OF UP TO $100,000.00

50% COUNTY SHARE REQUIRED; UP TO $50,000.00