Bedford Planners Nix Apartments At Market & Main

BEDFORD, NH — At its meeting Sept. 14, Bedford's town planners denied a site plan application for 200 apartments and a movie theater in the Market and Main area.

It is not clear why the movie theater was denied.

Only two members, Levenstein and Fairman, voted to allow waivers.

Levenstein cited what we believe was the 'overlay district' which voters approved in 2012. Judging from recent sentiments, we think people voted for it without a real understanding of what that meant at the time.

The Performance Zone, or PZ, is really best left to commercial development which would help taxes, because apartments never pay their fair share according to what those who keep tabs on taxes in the town have told us.

MacMahon reminded the board that the plan does not fit with current zoning. Terry Robinson of Encore Retail LLC said it was a lost opportunity for the "majority of residents who support it." However, they could only cite the names of 100 supporters. Those who submitted earlier petitions against this type of development in that area numbered around 1,300. Even more voted to solidify zoning rules.

The final vote was 6-2 against.

Please remember to thank your planners for respecting the laws and the people who voted for them. And remember that you have only 5 more days to submit your objections to the Master Plan Draft!