Concerns Raised About West Hartford Apartment Project

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The West Hartford Town Council Tuesday voted to continue a public hearing for a zone change allowing for an abandoned nursing home site to be transformed into a large apartment building.

Vessel Holdings LLC/Vessel Technologies Inc. plans to transform 29 Highland St. into a four-story, apartment building.

But those plans require a zone change to be approved by the council, which after more than four hours of presentations and public testimony Tuesday night, was not ready to decide just yet.

As a result, the council voted to schedule a special hearing/meeting for March 11 at 6:45 p.m. to close out the hearing and, possibly, decide on the zone change application.

The delay West Hartford Corporation Counsel Dallas Dodge said, would give his office more time to draft a list of conditions for approval based on Tuesday night's testimony.

Specifically, Dodge said, the town is hoping to get revised plans based on public concerns about traffic and the types of units that will be within the proposed development.

Vessel is seeking a zone change from a single-family housing zone to one allowing for multi-family units within the town's special development district.

Because of this, West Hartford's town council has the say on such a proposal before the West Hartford Plan and Zoning Commission takes up site plans and/or special permit reviews.

Once Vessel is cleared to begin building, it will take what was once a nursing home — Hughes Health & Rehabilitation in West Hartford — and transform it into 112 units of multifamily, residential housing of varying bedroom amounts, with 34 units deemed "affordable" under state law.

The nursing home/rehabilitation center closed in 2023, with the family-run operation citing a downturn in business and an increase in expenses.

West Hartford officials have been striving in recent years to add to the town's housing stock, especially more affordable housing to keep younger families and individuals in town.

Vessel Technologies representative and attorney Robin Pearson of Glastonbury-based Alter, Pearson & Hope, outlined the application before council members Tuesday in a lengthy presentation.

She said Vessel has a contract to purchase the site once the necessary approvals are granted.

Pearson was joined by representatives of Vessel and other applicant representatives.

"They have managed to come up with a way to really make it work," Pearson said of Vessel's plans.

Several residents speaking at the hearing, however, expressed mixed emotions about the proposal with safety and traffic worries about so many units being built a major worry.

Many expressed concern such a development would add to the area's traffic, which posed quality of life and safety concerns, especially given the project's proximity to a school.

"My primary concern is the safety of pedestrians that are currently on that street," said West Hartford resident Linda Fazzina.

The hearing drew several speakers and it lasted several hours late into the night.

That aspect, combined with the fact council members had several questions along similar lines, prompted the delay in action and the continuance of the hearing.

The marathon session was recessed, then continued to March 11.

"We are recessing the public hearing. I think the corporation counsel is looking to talk to the applicant about some outstanding issues that we need to clarify before we close the public hearing," West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said.

From Jan. 28: 'West Hartford Hearing On Large Housing Complex Pushed Back'