To the editor:

This letter is in response to the recent SC Democrat article covering the October 22 Town of Bethel public hearing regarding Local Law 1 of 2025.  The law calls for a moratorium on major subdivisions, and high-density multi-family housing. The law allows for other types of building; and outlines a process for hardship waivers to be considered by the Town Board. 

The article’s headline, “Bethel residents have mixed reactions to proposed moratorium” is misleading at best. Characterizing the hearing and meeting in this way as well as quoting three people in favor of the moratorium and only three against it does a grave disservice to your readership. Make no mistake. There was overwhelming support for the moratorium expressed at that public hearing, as has been consistent since a petition with over 500 signatures submitted to the Town Board several months ago. 

It is accurate that three people spoke against the moratorium. One who spoke was factually incorrect about the scope of the moratorium’s reach. Attorney for the Bethel Roundtable responded with a clear correction and re-stated that the proposed law clearly defines high density and does not impact individuals who wish to build a single-family home, build an addition or erect a garage or deck on their property.  Another opined anecdotally, suggesting that the moratorium law had ill intent. He was cut off by the Town Supervisor when his remarks violated the Town’s rules for public participation.  The third person who spoke against the moratorium was an attorney who never identified who his client was.

Close to 30 people went on record in support of the moratorium, some of them with great substance and detail. All who spoke in favor did so with decorum, passion, and grace.  The comments were fact based and did not target or call out any specific project or developer. The sentiment was consistent that a  moratorium is appropriate while the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee works to update a 20-year-old Comprehensive Plan and its accompanying zoning laws. These updates are critical as the current zoning does not provide for the means and planning tools necessary in 2025 to ensure the sustainability of a town with limited infrastructure, invaluable water resources, and a rural character. 

An important and newsworthy fact was several references to the recently released zoning build-out analysis completed by the Town’s Planning consultant on behalf of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan Committee. The report indicates, that as currently written, Bethel’s zoning allows for a potential population increase that could be over 15,000 people in a town with a current population of approximately 4,000. This increase is before any potential bonus density allowance.  This analysis was done to aid and inform the Review Committee in their work. None of these speakers were quoted in the article, nor was this fact reported.

Additionally, the article completely omitted reporting a significant outcome of the meeting. As the hearing was being closed, the audience was informed that no vote would be taken, and that the written comment period would remain open for ten days. Aside from Supervisor Sturm making that statement, no other board member present commented or asked questions. Several members of the audience (and community) pleaded with the Supervisor and Town Board members to share their thoughts on the Moratorium in advance of an important election for two Council seats on November 4th. The board remained silent apart from Councilwoman Wendy Brown who participated via Zoom and stated that she is in favor of the moratorium. 

This should correct the record on the actual events that occurred at the October 22, 2025 Town of Bethel public hearing. 

Denise Frangipane, 

 Bethel Roundtable