A special town meeting is being held in Bethel tonight about preserving more than 7.5 acres of land that had once been proposed as the site of a controversial housing development. 47 Shelley Road borders both Bethel’s Franc Preserve and Newtown Forest Association’s Brunot Preserve.
The Inland Wetland Commission rejected the plans, but approved them after a lawsuit. The Planning and Zoning Commission then rejected the application. Planning & Zoning Director Beth Cavagna says the Planning and Zoning Commission has entered into an agreement with Shelley Woods LLC and Oak Woods LLC as part of a settlement of a lawsuit over decisions made by the Commission.
Tim Draper owns the vacant lot and proposed a multi-unit development in 2019 under the state’s 8-30g statute. If a certain percentage is set aside as affordable housing, developers are able to bypass zoning laws, with certain exceptions.
If approved, the Franc Preserve trail system will be expanded to 2.6 miles. If rejected at tonight's meeting, Draper plans to seek approvals for his housing plans. Bethel residents are being asked to spend up to $300,000 from the General Fund, with an additional $200,000 coming form the Planning and Zoning’s open space fund. Bethel officials will also apply for grants to help offset the costs.
The town meeting is at 7pm in the general purpose room of the Municipal Center.
