Planning and Zoning
Strategic Planning to Make Bethel Better
Composition of the Planning and Zoning Commission
Our Town's Planning and Zoning Commission has seven members who serve a four-year term. Every two years, either three or four members are elected or re-elected. P&Z also has three alternate members who serve four year terms. Every two years, either one or two alternate members are elected or re-elected.
Six of the seven members and two of the three alternate members of the current board were endorsed by the Bethel Republican Town Committee when they were elected or appointed.
Accomplishments of the Planning and Zoning Commission
Over the past four years, the Republican-endorsed Planning and Zoning Commission has many accomplishments, including:
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2007 Plan of Conservation and Development
Provides a vision for the conservation and development of Bethel and establishes policies for the Town’s land use regulations to which the Commission will refer when amending regulations and making land-use decisions.- This document was brought forward thank you to all the Bethel residents who participated in the many public meetings and workshops providing thoughtful and insightful ideas.
- We wish to encourage businesses to locate in and remain in Bethel and participate in the life of the Town.
- Route 6 Corridor Study
The purpose of this study was to develop a plan for the Route 6 Corridor. It encourages a greater mix and intensity of land use and includes design standards to enhance key intersections and circulation on Route 6.- It is a Guide for future development on underutilized and vacant properties in the study area.
- It provides for the preservation of important open spaces with design guidelines.
- It presents a development framework for the entire corridor and proposes a conceptual layout for potential development of parcels.
- Zoning Regulations Update Project - Draft
These updated user-friendly Zoning Regulations are intended to guide land use activities in Bethel in ways that will: - Protect the public health, safety and welfare
- Maintain and enhance community character
- Improve the economic value of property and general welfare of Bethel’s residents
- Big Y World Class Market
This World Class market selected Bethel to establish another in their family-owned chain of stores. - Working with the P&Z Commission’s requests, they provided road widening, sidewalks, and landscaping for the Stony Hill along with other businesses who have chosen to locate within the Big Y complex.
- Toll Bros – Bethel Meadows
A luxury townhouse community that began as an 8-30g high-density affordable housing development of 128 units. Through the diligence of the P&Z Commission, the development was reduced to a 62 luxury townhouse community. - This agreement also led to the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund that will grow to over $900,000, allowing the Town to identify appropriate areas of Bethel in which to establish affordable housing.
- The Village at Timber Oaks
Working with Baker Residential the P&Z Commission approved a Townhouse and Duplex-designed development which dramatically enhanced the gateway to Bethel. - Transit-Oriented District
Working with HVCEO, approved a Transit-Oriented District Study to identify appropriate locations for the TOD. - That is identify locations for compact, transit accessible, pedestrian-oriented, mixed use development.
- Open Space
Approved the preservation of open space – 16 acres on Chestnut Ridge
In addition to these accomplishments, the Board routinely reviewed applications for subdivisions, accessory apartments, excavation permits, site plans for new homes and commercial/industrial buildings, additions, and associated activities.
What does our Planning and Zoning Commission do?
The Commission guides land use activities in Bethel in ways that will protect the public health, safety, and welfare of our Town's residents; maintain and enhance Bethel's community character; and improve the economic value of property and the general welfare of our Town's residents.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has two primary functions: Legislative and Quasi-Judiciary.
In the legislative role, P&Z sets policy and writes and amends the Zoning Regulations. Bethel has a Plan of Conservation and Development which is the policy for zoning in our Town.
In the Quasi-Judiciary function, P&Z interprets and applies the Zoning Regulations to specific applications.