Stony Point considers moratorium on new housing

During a public hearing on Tuesday July 8, residents of Stony Point weighed in on a proposed local law that would temporarily halt construction on certain homes in the village.

Stony Point Supervisor Jim Monaghan opened the forum during a regular meeting of the town board, summarizing the measure as a stop gag against overdevelopment that would be implemented while the town reviews it’s existing building  codes.  “This proposed six month moratorium would apply to construction or expansion of large single family homes, especially those on small or undersized lots. The goal is to preserve the character of our existing neighborhoods while we take the time to review and update our zoning laws,” said the Supervisor. “During the past few years we have seen an increase in development on smaller lots that has raised valid concerns about overdevelopment, storm water runoff, and changing the feel of long established neighborhoods.  Unfortunately those rules are not strict enough and have not work as intended.” 

If enacted, this moratorium would apply not only to homes exceeding a gross floor area of 6,000 square feet, but would also halt development of properties with a gross floor area greater than 3,000 square feet that are located on a lots with a net area of less than 20,000 square feet.

The proposal was well received by those in attendance of the forum. Residents that spoke in favor of the law encouraged the town board to expand their proposal to temporarily halt construction on smaller lots, while some local activists, including George Potanovic Jr, president of the Stony Point Action Committee for the Environment asked that the town board use the moratorium as an opportunity to reconsider the towns Comprehensive Plan for Development. The Public Hearing will continue on Tuesday July 22.