Stony Point passes housing moratorium

Stony Point has adopted a local law that will put a temporary pause on certain housing development in the town.  The law was unanimously approved by the Town Board during a meeting on Tuesday which was proceeded by a public hearing on the proposal: the proposal was well received during both Tuesday’s hearing and an earlier public hearing on July 9

Stony Point Supervisor Jim Monaghan summarized 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 re- view 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.”

The moratorium applies to homes exceeding a gross floor area of 6,000 square feet, and will 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.