Hartford housing plan gets critical approvals – vtdigger.org

Hours after giving public testimony over two nights, the Twin Pines Housing Trust has removed two major obstacles in its efforts to build an 18-unit apartment complex at 747 Hartford Ave. in Wilder.

First, on Monday, Twin Pines received initial approval for a planned development from the Planning Commission on properties currently owned by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The committee approved the request by 5 votes to 2.

The following night, Twin Pines received conditional use approval from the District Adjustment Board for the proposed project. This vote was 4-0, with one board member absent.

The two public hearings continued from April and few new points were covered as they echoed the majority of points of opposition previously voiced, largely focusing on the safety of the area, the lack of parking, and the claim that the project was too large for the site and offsite . Live character.

The only thing that was a little different was the number of people opposed to the plan who started their statements in support of the Twin Pines mission but didn’t believe the site was the right place for an 18-unit apartment complex.

The opposition was strong.

Many people have talked about the safety issue and expressed their concern for their children.

Neighbors argued that the apartment complex, proposed to be adjacent to the Haven to allow for proximity to services, would only bring in more people with mental health and addiction problems.

Many opponents said that concentrating these residents near schools and single-family homes was a dangerous decision.

Jess Bowen spoke passionately about the experiences her 13-year-old daughter has faced.

Bowen said her daughter received rude comments she was made on her way home from school, and once a man spat and yelled at her and her friends.

“She hasn’t walked to school since then,” Bowen said. “I am angry, frustrated and exhausted. I think we are better as a society when we come together to find solutions. I also think that if you allow an unobstructed shelter or 18 apartments for one person to be built on Hartford Street, someone, potentially a child, is going to get hurt, and as a society we have to We live with that forever.”

Many other people have shared similar stories or said that the stories they heard have changed their minds about supporting the project.

It’s not about housing, said Laurie Dickerson, it’s about helping people dealing with mental illness and addiction.

She recalled the experience of Bowen’s daughter.

“If either of you is a father or a father, I don’t know how you can turn your back,” Dickerson said. “Her child has lived with this and will live with this memory for the rest of her life.”

This opposition from neighbors led to Commissioner Robin Adair Logan’s decision to oppose the request: “I was very moved by the opinions of the people who actually lived in the neighborhood. I’m a mother and grandmother of two high school kids, and I wasn’t really happy with the parents who spoke.”

Logan said she’s never seen the audience like it happened. Over 80 participants logged on to both public hearings.

“I have to believe the audience that appeared on this app,” Logan said. I’ve never seen so many messages, discussions and engagements, which I think would impress us. I like that the community surrounding the neighborhood has grown up. We don’t get that often. We have to listen to them.”

But proponents suggested considering people who need housing and noted that residents in the proposed apartments would be subject to background checks and could not be convicted of sex or drug offenses.

Leslie Black is a neighbor and member of St. Paul’s Church.

“For some, it might be the first time they’ve ever had a home of their own,” Black said. For others, it may be their first time working in plumbing or electrical. I say good luck and welcome to the neighborhood.”

Planning committee members expressed some concerns but were willing to allow the project to move forward.

President John Reed echoed several commissioners who said he did not expect the Twin Pines project to contribute to neighborhood safety issues.

“I don’t see how putting up the proposed building and getting 18 people into it and giving them the services they need would reduce the security of neighbors, and potentially increase security,” Reid said. “I am optimistic that the building will have a beneficial effect.”

At Tuesday’s district board meeting, Michael Redmond, CEO of Upper Valley Haven, said he takes community concerns about safety very seriously.

“We need to move into action,” Redmond said. “How can we make the community safer? I think this project makes the community safer.”

Andrew Winter, CEO of Twin Pines, spoke on the issue as well.

“As a parent, I know how difficult it is to keep our children safe in a world that sometimes feels increasingly insecure,” Winter said.

This week’s approvals are only the first steps for the proposal.

Hartford District Council will consider two other applications that run through 6 p.m. on June 8.

First application from The Upper Valley Haven and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for a Conditional Use Permit for Shared Use of Parking between Sections 713 and 749 Hartford Ave. , in Wilder, and the Hartford Planning Commission will handle the request for approval of the site development plan when it next meets at 6 p.m. on June 13.

The Haven also has applications in both tables.

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