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Work-force housing might come to Bethel

Patricio Robayo - Staff Writer
Posted 3/18/19

BETHEL — A new workforce housing project is in the works for Bethel. White Lake Woods LLC would like to build along Route 55 between the Bethel Town Hall and Francis Street.

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Work-force housing might come to Bethel

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BETHEL — A new workforce housing project is in the works for Bethel. White Lake Woods LLC would like to build along Route 55 between the Bethel Town Hall and Francis Street.

Real estate developer Susan Harte came before the town board on March 13 requesting a parcel of land to request a zoning change.

The new housing, named White Lake Woods, is a planned multi-family, workforce housing development along State Route 55.

Ultimately, the housing complex will house 32 modular homes and hopes to break ground this year.

The project, according to Harte, will be built in two phases. Phase I will be made on a 1.36-acre lot next to Bethel Town Hall.

Currently, it is zoned for H-17B commercial use. Harte is requesting that be changed to a Residential Zone (RS).

Before Harte can go before the Bethel Planning Board, the town board would need to change the zoning for the Phase I lot.

Harte would like to build out the 1.36-acre lot first to “work out all the kinks” in the development.

Therefore, once the first lot is built up and is rented, she can then can go find more funding and investors for Phase II of the project.

Phase II will be a lot across from Francis Street and will consist of seven, four-unit townhouses on 6.9 acres.

According to Bethel Town Supervisor Dan Sturm, they would need to send the request to the town lawyer to draft a local law for the zone change. Afterward, a public hearing would be set and then a resolution could be passed.

“I can't be more excited for this plan,” said Sturm. “We always needed this kind of housing ... in principle, it's good idea.”

Once the zone change is done, Harte can then proceed to the Bethel Planning Board.

Harte said she would like to have the units ready to rent by the end of this year, but that would depend on how the planning board process goes.

The new housing unit abuts a planned hotel and shopping center at the corner of State Route 55 and State Route 17B that will be built by the Dream Hotel Group.

“There is a need for workforce housing. Other than the senior house, there is no other place for rentals here in the town,” said Harte.

Harte hopes residents will see the benefits of being close to the new shopping center as they can walk down to get a bite to eat or shop.

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