West Hartford Creates New, 'Transformational' Part of Town

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Six years of meetings, planning and debate has led to 10 "yes" votes from the West Hartford Town Council and creation of a "transformational" zoning district in town.

The unanimous, 10-0 vote created what is being called locally as the town's "Transit-Oriented Zoning District" or the "TOD."

According to West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, this is more than just another zoning acronym, it is an attempt to encourage future development along new, modern transportation lines.

"This is a very, very, very important night for the council," Cantor said at the June 14 council meeting and public hearing on the proposal. "This is a big deal and transformational."

Essentially, the new zoning district aims to create a mix of residential and commercial development that plays off two nearby CT fasttrak bus stations and a proposed train station in that area.

The area roads impacted by the new zone are Darcy Street, Flatbush Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, New Britain Avenue, New Park Avenue, Prospect Avenue and South Street.

Municipal planners hope to create a neighborhood in which folks can live, work, play and have access to multiple forms of public transportation, with such developments in this zone encouraged.

In short, a person living in this neighborhood could, conceivably, be able to walk to work or, at least, a public transportation site to go to work or seek entertainment and recreation.

During a 49-minute public hearing June 14, West Hartford Town Planner Todd Dumais outlined the so-called "four D's" of this project:

• Distance — have people living or working within a five- to 10-minute walk of a transit station.

•Density — encourage properly-sized residential and commercial developments in the zone to sustain both area businesses and transit options.

• Diversity — encourage a diverse mix of business, entertainment, residential and other commercial options to create a neighborhood based off transportation hubs.

• Design — Create new structures that best serve the afforementioned goals of the zone.

"Thanks to our town planner and his team, we have an ordinance that will allow for a very positive change in the New Britain Avenue, New Park Avenue corridor," West Hartford Acting Town Manager Rick Ledwith said.

"The district is designed to help preserve and expand opportunities for businesses and employers that serve West Hartford residents and the surrounding region," Dumais said.

Prior to the council's vote, the new district already received thumbs up from the West Hartford Planning and Zoning Commission, the Capitol Region Council of Governments and a town legal review.

Council members expressed enthusiasm for the zone.

"I'm pretty excited about this and I really can't wait," West Hartford Councilperson Carol Banks said. "I'm like a kid who says 'Are we there yet?'"

Speakers at the public hearing, however, expressed some support, but also some skepticism in urging caution to town officials about the measure.

Erik Castiglione, speaking for the Elmwood Business Association in that area, said the new zoning district does little to change current concerns there already.

For example, he said the area needs infrastructure and road improvements to better allow pedestrians and motorists to co-exist if that, is, indeed the goal.

"We see a potential safety hazard here," Castiglione said. "The town needs to develop a vision of what we want to do here."

Resident Rick Liftig also had words of caution for those on the council thinking the zone is a be-all, end-all.

"I've learned that zoning rules don't create a market," Liftig said. "In my opinion, one goal of zoning is not just to restrict use, but to develop and protect the neighborhood."

Dumais said expressed concerns are valid and, creation of a zone is not the only act the town is doing to encourage development in that area.

He said such a zone is in line with the town's plan of conservation and development. "There are other plans and ideas in the POCD," Dumais said.

Ledwick admitted town officials would have to monitor future development in that area to fully determine how much of a help it is.

"We need to see some development there before we can talk about the impact of this new ordinance," Ledwick said.

To watch the full West Hartford Town Council meeting, click on this link.

To see the full June 14 meeting agenda, along with all submitted materials about the TOD ordinance, click on this link.