John Mason is reporting in the Register-Star the plan to allow hotels to be sited in Hudson's southern waterfront district was given an environmental pass by the Common Council at its formal meeting Tue., Mar. 15. The council also had to declare itself lead agency since no other bodies can amend the city zoning laws. The measure under consideration by the council will create a new zoning district in the southern waterfront area that will include "hotel" as a conditionally permitted use. The area affected is bounded by South Front Street to the west, Cross Street to the north, Tanner's Lane to the east, and the Industrial District to the south. The measure now goes before the city and county planning boards. Following that review, the council must hold a public hearing before a vote can be taken. The Redburn Development Companies have plans to purchase the former Kaz warehouse building, now the Stageworks performance space, located within the proposed new district at 41 Cross St., and convert the building into a 55-room hotel. Read the full story in the Register-Star.