BETHEL — The Bethel Town Board unanimously approved an amendment last Wednesday that could allow three additional properties to connect to the Swan in Swan Lake sewer system if the proposed developments receive required state and local approvals.

The properties include a proposed commercial development with two neighborhood stores and a restaurant and two parcels proposed for a combined 48 residential units.

An attorney representing Swan in Swan Lake said the additions would generate an estimated 26,405 gallons of sewage per day.

The representative told the board the existing SPDES permit provides for 66,000 gallons per day and that additional permitted capacity would be needed for the proposed development.

Supervisor Dan Sturm stressed that the board was not approving the developments themselves.

"We're not approving anything tonight, other than an amendment," Sturm said.

The amendment is conditioned on approvals from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Health and the Bethel Planning Board. No sewer capacity for the additional parcels can take effect until sufficient SPDES capacity and other required approvals are obtained.

Town officials emphasized that the amendment only moves the projects forward in the review process and that Planning Board and other required approvals must still be obtained.

The applicant would be responsible for its share of costs associated with operating, maintaining and regulating the sewer system.

The applicant's representative also said the development would require $12,000 in parkland fees and $28,800 in highway-use fees, totaling $40,800.

Town Engineer Glenn Smith reviewed the amendment before the meeting. Sturm read Smith's determination into the record that the revised agreement appeared satisfactory after corrections to town fees.

During public comment, residents raised broader questions about development in the Swan Lake area and sewer capacity, including a larger SPDES figure cited from DEC-related records. Sturm reiterated that the amendment was conditional and that the projects would still need the required approvals before receiving additional sewer capacity.