Critical Meeting June 24: Wear Red and Help Protect Bethlehem
We are at a critical point in the zoning process, and we need your help.
We are asking everyone who is concerned about the proposed zoning changes to attend the Town Board meeting on Tuesday, June 24 at 6:00 PM at Town Hall and wear RED.
This may be the last opportunity for residents to be heard before the Board finalizes proposed changes and sends them to a public hearing. Following that hearing, the Board could vote on the zoning amendments. The potential impacts on Bethlehem would be significant and long-lasting.
If we want the Board to understand the depth and breadth of community concern, we need a strong showing. We believe our best chance to stop these changes or achieve a meaningful compromise is to have hundreds of residents in attendance wearing RED. Please make every effort to attend and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to join you.
We also need new voices during public comment.
To everyone who has already spoken: thank you. Your efforts have made a difference, and we encourage you to continue participating.
That said, it is especially important that the Board hears from residents who have not spoken before. If you have never addressed the Board on this issue, please consider doing so and let them know it is your first time speaking. New voices help demonstrate that concern extends far beyond a small group of regular attendees.
Your comments do not need to be lengthy. Even something as simple as the below is incredibly valuable:
“My name is ________. I live at ________. I strongly oppose this rezoning proposal in its current form for the reasons the Board has already heard from many residents, especially concerns about traffic and safety. I urge you to vote no on these zoning code changes.”
We also need help collecting petition signatures. If you would like a paper copy of the petition, please send a direct message here or contact one of the residents involved in the effort.
For those who would like to catch up on the discussion, a recording of the most recent meeting is available below. The meeting consisted largely of public comment, and notably, the Board did not engage in its usual discussion following residents’ remarks.
https://bethlehemtownny.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=2491&Format=Agenda
Thank you for your support and involvement. The next two weeks are extremely important.