William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman the town of Woodstock's nine-month moratorium on the creation or approval of new lodging projects has lapsed. An ad hoc committee continues to work on recommendations for zoning updates involving affordable housing and short-term rentals. Officials on May 10, were told draft zoning changes would be submitted by the town Housing Oversight Task Force during a special May 31 town board meeting, roughly a month after the moratorium expired. “We thought we would be done sooner but … we want to be sure that what we’re providing is something of value to everyone,” committee member Deborah DeWan said. The task force was established in February and expects to complete a revision of the town’s 300-page zoning code along with a summary of the proposed changes. “Part of the goal here is to … protect our environment but make development easier,” Supervisor Bill McKenna said. “...We’re trying to incentivize development so that we can get more affordable housing,” he said. McKenna noted that state programs exist that can be used to help the town develop reserve funds that can be put toward conservation easements. Under the moratorium, task force members were directed to “consider regional needs and development trends, the existing and proposed location and intensity of land development, the historic, cultural and natural resources of the town, population, demographic and socio-economic trends and infrastructure.” Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.