WEST HARTFORD — Developers of the former University of Connecticut campus have made some changes to their proposed residential and commercial mixed-use development ahead of a Nov. 6 wetlands public hearing.
The new plans submitted by developers West Hartford 1 LLC contain a downsized version of the assisted living facility on the west side of the property, which will also be moved further away from nearby wetlands. The new building, which will be 50,000 square feet smaller than previously proposed, will now offer 117 housing units instead of the previously planned 158. Another 106 apartments would also be built on the west side.
The development team behind the project, has also reduced the number of townhouses they plan to build along Asylum Avenue and Lawler Road from 34 to 24. The ones located on Asylum Avenue have also been moved further back from the road.
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Overall, this now decreases the number of total proposed housing units from 620 to 569. Plans still include commercial spaces for a "small neighborhood grocery store," as well as other spaces for a restaurant, coffee shop and other retail uses, which developers wrote on their website is "incredibly important to our village concept" and will provide residents and neighbors "accessible, walkable and welcoming places to visit."
These changes, the developers said, is a response to feedback they heard at a public meeting at the end of September. Residents are concerned about the scale of the proposal, while others are worried about the impact the development might have on the site's wetlands and traffic.
Residents will have their chance to speak for or against the proposal at the Nov. 6 town Planning and Zoning and Inland Wetlands Watercourse public hearing, which will be held at Town Hall at 7 p.m.
Christine Feely is among the residents who started a petition speaking out against the property.
"We’re trying to make it really clear that we’re against the proposal as it is now and why," Feely said. "We want the Town Council to understand that, so it doesn't get to the point where it’s too late."
Feely said their main focus right now are the wetlands. The property contains around 12 acres of wetlands consisting of two perennial stream reaches, two freshwater ponds, lawn wetlands, and forested wetlands. The property also has special flood hazards, including 100-year floodplain, a regulatory floodway and a 500-year floodplain.
“The preparation is still focusing on wetlands, because that’s the first barrier... to get really significant changes to the development based on wetlands consideration, which are huge," Feely said. "The developer wants to build right up to the edge of the wetlands, so much of the west parcel is the wetlands."
On their website, the developers acknowledged potential problems heavy rainy seasons like this past summer could bring to the property. Developers also said they are working with the town, who currently has plans to install larger pipes, replace culverts and create access to new outfall areas.
"With one of the rainiest summer seasons in memory, stormwater and flooding were a focus of discussion at the September 26th meeting," they wrote on their website. "Our development will provide a comprehensive stormwater management system that will mitigate peak stormwater flows offsite and maintain the flood-holding capacity of 1700 and 1800 Asylum Ave."
Jessica Rubin, who lives near Bishops Corner, is also concerned about a few impacts the property might have, including "commercial creep."
"It’s important that people learn as much as possible about the proposed development and share their opinions with the relevant town officials… so that the process is informed by science and town official expertise, but also the opinions of the people in the town, especially those who live in the area," Rubin said. "It needs to be developed in a way that’s responsible through comprehensive urban planning. It needs to be developed with a townwide perspective and a long-term perspective."
Rubin said she doesn't feel like that area of West Hartford is suited for the commercial aspects of the proposal.
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"What’s different about this development… is that this is taking property that is not currently commercial in nature and spreading commercial creep," Rubin said. "This stands out because it is not renovating something that’s already in a commercial area."
Plans for the east side of the property remain the same, where developers hope to construct four buildings that would provide 322 housing units.
"The residences we are developing will help meet the housing needs of West Hartford," they wrote. "The one-floor apartment homes on the east side of campus will be particularly suited to provide the 'age in place' independent living opportunities requested at the neighborhood meeting. Combined with the assisted living residences, the proposed residences will provide a continuum of living options for current West Hartford residents looking to downsize from large homes."
The proposed transformation of the former UConn campus is among 10 ongoing housing developments in West Hartford.