We, the undersigned Bethel Connecticut residents and taxpayers, are opposed to the proposed zone change from Industrial to Transit Oriented District as stated in the application regarding 12 acres at 9 and 11 Diamond Avenue for the following reasons:

1. The existing industrial property is currently well-maintained and has little impact on the existing neighborhood, which comprises several streets of modest one-family homes. We are requesting that all industrial property on Diamond Avenue remain industrial. We also know that any future industrial development of 9 and 11 Diamond Avenuewould have to meet the town’s strict industrial zone regulations.

2. Bethel is already spending upwards of $1.2 million taxpayer dollars to develop four much-needed industrial lots through the Bethel Economic Development Commission. Changing the zoning of 12 acres at 9 and 11 Diamond Avenue to large multi-family and commercial mixed use would conflict with the Town’s master plan of economic development intended to attract businesses, industries and jobs. There is already very little industrial land left for development in Bethel. 

3. Industrial development creates jobs and provides additional tax revenues on real estate and personal property without overburdening the school system, traffic, water and sewer infrastructure, first responders, and police and fire department resources, thus maintaining our quality of life, existing neighborhoods, and home values.

This petition serves as a request by the undersigned for an immediate moratorium on any new TOD applications until after the Planning & Zoning and Land Use Commissions take adequate time to review, solicit public input, and consider modifications to the existing TOD regulations, while considering our concerns about rapid and out-of-proportion development Bethel has undergone since the TOD was adopted in 2017.