Height Increase Sought As Developer Pitches New Project In Bethel

BETHEL, CT — The owners of a hotel at 18 Stony Hill Road in Bethel are seeking a special permit and regulation change, which if approved, could lead to a new development, according to documents filed with the town.

"The applicant proposes to amend the height requirements to allow by special permit hospitality uses: hotel, motel or motor hotels, a special permit for an increase in height to a maximum of four stories or 50 feet," according to documents filed with the town. Days Inn by Wyndham Bethel - Danbury is located at 18 Stony Hill Road.

In 2021, the Planning and Zoning Commission reduced the height allowance for all uses along the Rt 6 corridor from 50 ft and 4 stories; to 40 ft and 3 stories.

In a filing with the town, the applicant states they that own a hotel in a "structure which has become outdated. It desires to provide for additional hotel space through the construction of a new building behind the existing building, and thereby be able to renovate the existing building."

"Given the proximity to Interstate 84 and State Route 6 (Stony Hill Road), hotel, motel or motor inn is a highly desirable use for the property," wrote the applicant. "However, a limitation of three stories and forty (40') in height requires the proposed building to occupy an expanded footprint on the site, which requires additional site work, retaining walls, eliminates potential parking spaces and landscaping areas. It also reduces the efficiency of the building itself and its operations, and provides overall less capacity for hotel rooms, thereby reducing the economic feasibility of the project and limiting the renovations of the existing building which are possible."

A public hearing on the plans will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Bethel Municipal Center in Meeting Room D. Click here to view more information.