Langley may extend subdivision moratorium

The city’s moratorium on subdivisions in three neighborhoods is expected to be extended for another three months.

“That should be the end of it,” Larry Cort, city planning director, said Tuesday, after the city council endorsed another extension at its meeting this week.

An ordinance formally adopting the extension to March 15 will be presented at the council’s next meeting on Monday, Dec. 7. The current moratorium expires the same day.

The council could extend the moratorium another six months, but council members directed city staff to wrap up revisions to the zoning code by March, Cort said.

The moratorium, which has been in effect for 2½ years, already has been extended three times.

The ban against subdividing land was first approved in June 2007 for one year, then extended in June 2008, in December 2008 and again this past June.

It prohibits new subdivisions in the city’s RS-7,200 and RS-15,000 zoning districts, the areas of town where medium- and low-density housing development is allowed. Mainly affected are properties in the areas of Al Anderson Avenue, Edgecliff Drive and Saratoga Road.

Officials say work must be done on the regulations so they mesh with the comprehensive plan.

“It’s our top priority to get the moratorium lifted,” Cort said. “But there’s strong community sentiment not to lift it too early. We want to have all the key pieces in place.”