Politics & Government

Hundreds Debate Bethany Zone Change Application [Video]

People make strong emotions heard about the Green Haven Cohousing plan.

Updated at 8:20 a.m. We changed the number of attendees to more than 300. 

BETHANY -- An estimated crowd of more than 300 people packed the gymnasium at Town Hall Wednesday and gave zoners varrying opinions of a housing plan that some say would be a “game changer” for the community. 

At the center of the debate is a zoning regulation amendment that would create an Open Space Housing District in Bethany. It has been proposed by Green Haven Cohousing, a group comprised of mostly Bethany residents who plan to live in a community of between 25-to-35 single-family homes at the corner of Old Amity Road and Meyers Road on the former Elsie Halter farm.

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While the organization says it wants to preserve Bethany’s rural character by setting aside half the land as open space and farming part of the property, opponents liken the plan to a condominium complex and say it would ruin the town's rural appeal.

“Planting condos in the middle of a residential area is not preserving the rural character,” said Sharon Huxley, former longtime Planning & Zoning chairwoman. She said the town does need new types of development - as opposed to only single family houses on large land tracts - but should focus on attracting affordable housing for people over the age of 62 because that is what people have indicated they want. 

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Others against the proposal, who, judging by applause, far outweighed those for it on Wednesday night, said that every open space parcel would be a target under the proposed zone change. They also argue that despite claims to the contrary, the plan is not in accordance with the Plan of Conservation and Development, it would have an adverse affect on taxes and that the proposal as it stands does nothing to fulfill state mandates that the town set aside 10 percent of property for affordable housing. Currently, less than 1 percent of Bethany's properties are considered affordable under state statute. 

Those for the cohousing plan - the first of its kind in Connecticut - say it fulfills many of the aspects of the Plan of Conservation and Development and looks to conserve resources and open space. They say the community would have far fewer homes than those that have already been approved for that land through the Halter Estates plan. That plan, which P&Z denied but was overturned by a Superior Court judge, calls for 48 housing units and 10-to-15-percent of land set aside as open space.

“We know we are trying to do right by Elsie’s Farm,” said Green Haven Cohousing member Brenda Caldwell. “We welcome this conversation because it’s time we learn how to preserve precious farmland in our town.”

After hearing three hours of discussion, the P&Z Commission made no decision on the zone change application Wednesday and continued its public hearing to 7:30 p.m., April 17, at Town Hall. 

See the attached video for a glimpse at some of the conversations from Wednesday’s meeting. And check back with Patch throughout today and tomorrow for updates on this article.


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