Hartford Courant (Sunday)

Four-story Simsbury apartment plan falls short on two levels

- Joyce Palmisano, Simsbury

I live in Simsbury and am a supporter of affordable housing. However, I am not in favor of the project on 446 Hopmeadow Street proposed by Vessel Technologi­es for two reasons: environmen­tal and unreasonab­le living conditions [Feb. 10, Connecticu­t section, Page 1, “A plan for affordable housing in Simsbury”].

The project is adjacent to Second Brook, which flows into the Farmington River behind the property. This wetland area is inhabited by a variety of wildlife that would be impacted by runoff from the large parking area (oil, exhaust, etc.), erosion of the proposed extended embankment, potential flooding, along with noise and light pollution.

The project is on less than two acres. The four-story rectangula­r apartment building would have 80 apartments and could potentiall­y house 150 or more residents. There would be a hallway in the middle of each floor with 10 apartments on each side; each unit would have only one window. The two-bedroom units, of which there are only three, measure less than 700 square feet, so the remaining 77 one-bedroom units will be smaller. Only 24 of the 80 units would have restricted rents that would meet the Connecticu­t standard for affordable housing. Only 94 parking spaces are proposed, even though more normally would be required by zoning for the number of residents. Everyone residing there would have inadequate parking not to mention a frustratin­g process trying to access Hopmeadow Street (across from Powder Forest) on a weekday morning.

Yes, Connecticu­t Statute 8-30g allows an exemption of a town’s standard zoning rules to allow for much needed affordable housing. However, I believe the proposed plans need to be sensible in relation to the environmen­t, location, and in respect to the residents who will be living there.

Simsbury has seen many apartment complexes built over the last few years. In hindsight, perhaps allocation­s could have been made by zoning to permit some affordable apartments within these complexes.

 ?? TOWN OF SIMSBURY/COURTESY ?? Vessel Technologi­es’ rendering of what its four-story apartment building would look like along Hopmeadow Road in Simsbury.
TOWN OF SIMSBURY/COURTESY Vessel Technologi­es’ rendering of what its four-story apartment building would look like along Hopmeadow Road in Simsbury.

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