Bethel scope completed

Zoning update moves forward

By FRITZ MAYER

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — The Bethel Town Board voted unanimously to accept the scoping document as complete at the town meeting on February 12. The move allows the town to move forward with the preparation of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) regarding the various zoning changes that are expected to be adopted.

There was written comment from Tracy Carluccio, the deputy director of Delaware Riverkeeper Network, who wrote that the scope should be amended to further address the zoning recommendation for the old golf course property in Smallwood. Carluccio has addressed the matter before because White Lake Brook flows through the property and its water ultimately ends up in the Delaware River.

Developer Robert van Zandt owns the property and had previously proposed building a planned unit development on the parcel with about 200 units. Some Smallwood residents, specifically members of the advocacy group Preserve Smallwood Country Life, have vigorously opposed the plan.

Under the new zoning recommendations, the northern part of the property would be zoned rural development, allowing houses on lots one acre in size, and the southern part would be zoned forest conservation with houses limited to five-acre lots.

In a letter responding to Carluucio’s comment, Shuster & Associates, a planning consultant for the town, wrote that the new zoning would allow for one third of the amount of development permitted under current zoning and any proposed project on the parcel would be specifically reviewed for impacts; therefore, no change to the scoping document was needed.

Rob McEwan, the town attorney, agreed, saying the scope is a very generic document, and the GEIS will cover wetlands, which is the main environmental issue with the golf course parcel.

The town will hold a special zoning “summary” meeting on Wednesday, February 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bethel Seniors Center to explain the proposed changes to the public.