Bethel, Connecticut – The town of Bethel has rejected plans for a new apartment complex that would have included roughly two dozen affordable units, signaling ongoing tension between local development goals and state affordable housing mandates.
During a recent town meeting, Bethel’s Planning and Zoning Commission denied the application for 75 apartments on Nashville Road, a project proposed by Vessel Bethel. The developers initially sought to build 80 units, then reduced the plan to 75, and later considered 72 units after community feedback.
“We are looking closely at the Commission’s motion for denial and their recommendations as to what we might do to win their support,” the company stated.
Vessel is considering leveraging Connecticut’s 8-30g affordable housing law to seek approval. This law allows developers to override local zoning restrictions in municipalities where less than 10% of housing is deemed affordable, although communities meeting that threshold may pursue a temporary pause on affordable housing construction.
“The issue that the town has had is because it's really one of those projects that probably is the poster child for why the 8-30g projects are bad for many municipalities,” said Bethel First Selectman Dan Carter. “In town, we are trying to grow and we need affordable housing. But I think, like many communities right now, we'd like to have a little bit of say about where it goes.”
Carter emphasized the importance of collaboration with developers:
“Coming in and working with our planning and zoning team is paramount, right? We have a lot of places that are already built up in town, and it kind of feels like we're looking for all those little, small pieces of property here and there, and they're jamming a lot of units in and on it.”
Concerns from residents influenced the denial, including the height of buildings, exterior design, and parking availability. Previous proposals for smaller developments, including one on Reservoir Street, were also denied but are under reconsideration after modified submissions.
With several projects under construction and others seeking approval, Bethel officials are pursuing a housing moratorium to tally recent and upcoming affordable housing units, potentially pausing further construction temporarily.
“When any community does apply, it does take a period of time before they get approved, you know, so I've heard anywhere from four to six months,” Carter added, highlighting the procedural timeline for moratorium approval.
The town continues to navigate a balance between meeting state-mandated affordable housing requirements and managing the community’s growth and character, signaling ongoing debates over development in Bethel.
Originally reported by Abigail Brone in Connecticut PR.
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