Community Corner

Letter to the Editor: Opposition to Elmwood Development

Additional public forums on the Newington Road project are requested.

To the Editor:

A number of Elmwood residents attended a Town Hall Meeting, on Tuesday Nov. 13, to express their opposition to an oversized 47 unit development on Newington Road across from the Stop and Shop plaza.

Like many others who came, I had only learned of this proposal less than 24 hours prior. It is my understanding that the West Hartford Housing Authority is only obligated to notify residents within a 300 ft radius of the development … which would encompass about 90 houses.

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There are greater than 200 homes on Newington Road alone. While it may be fact that the Housing Authority had fulfilled its obligation to notify residents, it is misleading to infer that canvassing less than 100 homes is going to glean any substantive data that would meaningfully reflect the opinions of the entire community of Elmwood. The fact that so many residents attended the town hall meeting with such short notice is remarkable.

To those individuals who spoke in favor of this development (they are not from the Elmwood section), I can only remark that any parcels of land, in other areas of West Hartford, that could be targeted as potential sites for such a development would likely be met with opposition as well.

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The fact that so few homes have to be notified makes me feel like this could have been approved by Town Council, right under our noses. This development does not affect just a few select homes. It impacts the character and infrastructure of our entire neighborhood. The thoughts and concerns of the entire Elmwood community should be considered.

It is my hope that any further movement on this project can be deferred so that additional public forums can take place. Anything to the contrary would be … undemocratic.

 

Frances Macoomb

West Hartford


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