A multi-year legal challenge to the building of a 36 unit housing complex in West Woodstock has come to a conclusion. On Friday the state Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the Superior Court clearing the path for the project to move forward. VTDigger has Housing Vermont‘s reaction to the news:
The Vermont Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of the Superior Court which allows three nonprofit organizations to construct 28 apartments and eight for‐sale condominiums on an 8‐acre site on Woodstock Road near the Woodstock Union High School in West Woodstock. The owners of abutting properties had brought cases in both the Environmental and Superior courts to prevent construction of the homes. Woodstock resident and President of the Woodstock Community Trust, Patsy Highberg, said “We’ve been working for nine years with Housing Vermont, Twin Pines Housing Trust, the Interfaith Housing Coalition, the Regional Planning Commission, the Town planners and select board, state housing people and so many others. I’m thrilled with the decision allowing us to go forward.” The design calls for 14 new buildings plus the redevelopment of the Grange Hall. When completed, Grange Hill will provide 10 one‐bedroom, 18 two‐bedroom, and 8 three‐bedroom dwelling units, four of which will be in the Grange Hall. Demand for apartments in Woodstock remains high according to a market study completed in October. The supply of Woodstock’s rental housing has remained static in the past decade—no other new multifamily housing was permitted in the town from 2001 through 2012. “Grange Hill will provide sorely needed affordable housing for families and seniors,” said Housing Vermont President Nancy Owens. “Grange Hill rents will be about one‐third less than the market.” Andrew Winter, Executive Director of Twin Pines Housing Trust, noted that the construction of Grange Hill will create about 34 local jobs and inject $7.8 million of construction activity into the economy.
Read the full article here (PDF). See also: Valley News: Vt. High Court Clears Path for Woodstock Housing Complex
Comments