Beth Bryan Critton practices land use, environmental and municipal law, representing developers (including both for-profit and not-for-profit developers of supportive and workforce housing), municipalities, property owners, condominium associations and neighbors of proposed developments.
As counsel to developers, Beth assembles teams of engineers, planners, architects, wetland scientists, geologists, blasting experts and other professionals in preparing applications for responsibly planned development to various private and municipal commissions. She prepares and handles administrative appeals of commission decisions, appellate litigation of land use appeals, and negotiation of settlements of land use disputes.
As counsel to municipalities, she provides counseling regarding legal procedures and standards as well as issues pertaining to land use applications. Beth defends commission decisions and assists with the drafting and enforcement of land use regulations, including injunction actions to stop zoning and wetlands violations.
As counsel to condominium associations and other neighbors concerned about proposed development near their homes, she provides legal representation during local agency hearings and prepares and pursues appeals to protect the rights of her clients.
Beth has been involved in the legal research, writing, and development of legal strategy in some of Connecticut's most significant zoning and wetlands decisions. She recently helped to draft an amicus brief on behalf of CCAPA and CAZEO in Chumnynski v. Bozrah, dealing with zoning enforcement procedures under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 8-12.
Beth has experience in the defense and negotiation of municipal tax appeals and in the representation appeal of non-profit organizations and property owners challenging the valuation and taxability of their property. Tax experience at the Appellate level has included Konover v. West Hartford and Sakon v. Glastonbury.
Prior to joining the firm, Beth served as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Town of West Hartford from 1986-1998, was a police officer in the Town of Wethersfield and was a recreation program director for the American Red Cross in Korea and Vietnam.
As an avid hiker and hike leader, Beth has a particular interest in legal issues relating to recreational liability.