BETHEL — A letter from Mary-Ellen and Larry Seitelman addressed to the Town Board was read aloud by Supervisor Dan Sturm at the Bethel Town Board meeting Wednesday, February 28, which sparked a discussion on development.

The letter is concerned with the preservation of Bethel’s rural character and “what seems to be out-of-control construction.” Zoning constraints limit the number of units that can replace those that are torn down, but some of the new construction allows for more people. 

Sturm explained that over 91 percent of the town’s 57,000 acres is either rural, farmland or bodies of water. Of that, forested land comprises 41,500 acres; 9 percent is residential or commercial, including the airport. 

Sturm stated, “I don’t see out-of-control construction in numbers. We want to keep the town rural, and it is something I’ve looked at. One of our jobs is to look at the town as a whole.” 

The Forest Conservation Zone, created 15 years ago, has 5-acre zoning and keeps a large area green. 

“Since COVID, there have been more permits for single family homes. Yes, we’ve had re-builds of some old bungalow colonies, which makes the area safer by eliminating fire hazards… New buildings are fully vetted by the Planning Board.” Councilman William Crumley added, “If you drive around the entire town, you can see that it’s a rural town.”

The Seitelmans’ letter asks, “Who is the environmental specialist who evaluates the real impact (of construction) on the environment? How is it determined? Large houses seem to be popping up wherever little bungalows used to be, and on many open spaces.”

The Seitelmans go on to write that “too much is going on that is irreversible…action is needed now.”

Town resident Barbara Lerner spoke about some of the developments in Swan Lake, among them being The Swan, which has been approved to build 143 dwelling units. Approved in 2008 and had modifications in 2016, it has regular building inspections and meets specifications.  Nearby there is a proposal to erect dwellings by K&S Development as well as The Swan Lake Nest.

She cites effluent flowing into a stream that runs into the Mongaup River as well as other health hazards and stated, “The enclave of units among these building projects in a small area will have more people than the entire town of Bethel.”

Sturm responded that she was insinuating “that they are not proceeding by approved plan, and that in reality, they are only building what has been approved.” 

PUDs

There was a discussion about Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). In 2008 all but one PUD, the Performing Arts Center, were eliminated. Lerner spoke about the lack of definition between multi-dwelling developments that are built with nearby service stores, such as groceries, synagogues, mikvahs, gas stations, etc., and PUDs. 

“This shows why we need a certified planner,” Lerner said.

Joyce Caracci agreed, saying “We need a professional to help us lead the way into the future. At least have someone to come into Smallwood to inspect the septic systems.”

She added that “buildings pop up that don’t have permits. It is very difficult for the well qualified people that we do have inspecting and planning to see everything that is going on.”

Sturm said the town has put out a request for a planner, but so far there is no response.