Town unveils draft 'Bedford 2045' plan, seeks public comment by March 4

Mary Zirkle, the town’s director of planning and community development, opened a public presentation of the draft comprehensive plan and encouraged residents to submit written comments at bedford2045.com. “This is not a public formal hearing. This is not final action. This is just to introduce you to the plan,” Zirkle said.

Todd Gordon, principal planner at consulting firm EPR, told attendees that the document, branded Bedford 2045, is a 20‑year guidance plan required by state law and intended to inform future zoning, budgeting and capital investment decisions. “Our goal for 2045 is a town of Bedford that preserves its history while embracing its future,” Gordon said.

The consultants summarized findings from an 18‑month outreach process that included an initial survey, interviews with stakeholders (fire and police chiefs, library staff, school officials and business owners) and public meetings. The draft lays out chapter‑level strategies across economy, housing, transportation, parks and infrastructure and closes with an implementation table that assigns lead agencies, timing (short/medium/long term) and cost bands.

Key priorities in the draft include downtown revitalization through façade grants and tax incentives; encouraging “missing‑middle” and accessory dwelling housing types to broaden starter‑home supply; improving sidewalks and pursuing a long‑term funding path for the local Otter bus service; and continuing planning work to explore a passenger rail stop near downtown. The plan also recommends capital planning for public safety: presenters cited replacing Engine 1 (described in the presentation as costing “over $400,000”) and other equipment and facility upgrades that were placed in the capital plan.

Consultants emphasized implementation details are intentionally non‑prescriptive: the future land‑use map is described as guidance, not zoning, and the implementation table lists ranges rather than exact costs (low cost items under about $100,000 to high cost items that could be $5 million or more). The draft also maps infrastructure responsibilities — including water and sewer service provided by the Bedford Regional Water Authority — and flags the need to coordinate investments if future growth requires expanded capacity.

Next steps: the draft and a feedback form are posted at bedford2045.com (also accessible by QR code), and presenters asked for comments by March 4 so staff can review submissions with the planning commission at its next meeting. After the planning commission reviews the draft it will be scheduled for public hearings before the planning commission and the town council prior to final adoption.

No formal votes were taken during the presentation.