Having experienced a building boom with more than 2,500 housing units constructed since the beginning of 2011, the Woodstock City Council is calling a pause as it reviews its development policies.
“An emergency exists as to the lack of concise controls” over multi-family rental apartment and single-family home development, and the mayor and council “are concerned that the life, safety and well-being of the citizens … could be negatively impacted,” according to ordinances acted on by the council Aug. 28.
The council approved on second reading a 90-day moratorium, until Nov. 14, on accepting various applications and plans for rental apartments, with some exceptions. Rentals now account for 21.4 percent of the city’s housing stock, above the 20 percent cap of official policy.The ordinance doesn’t apply to units already approved for the Avonlea Phase 3 and South on Main projects, which are grandfathered in.
Separately, the council approved on first reading a moratorium until Dec. 12 on applications and plans for single-family detached and attached homes in certain areas of the city, again with some exceptions. Second reading is expected Sept. 11.
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