Town Council Approves Assisted Living Facility for Chatfield Property

The West Hartford Town Council last week approved, by a unanimous roll call vote, an application by Brookdale Senior Living to add a new building to the existing property.

Because the 1 Chatfield Drive property is is a Special Development District, changes to the site require approval by the Town Council.

A public hearing which lasted nearly three hours preceded last Tuesday night's council meeting, and during that hearing detailed plans for the new building were presented.

According to the application to amend the Special Development District, the additional structure will contain "two wings of differing heights, each intended to provide distinct and separate services but sharing a common kitchen and service area at their juncture." One wing will be three stories, and will include 40 assisted living residential apartments. The other wing will house 30 "memory care" apartments intended for residents with Alzheimer's and other memory impairments.

One important purpose of both the assisted living and memory care facilities is to allow individual patients who are already satisfied residents of Chatfield but who develop the need for greater care to remain at the same property. The new facilities will also be a benefit to couples, allowing a partner who requires special services to remain nearby.

Prior to the roll call vote, Mayor Scott Slifka called Brookdale's proposal, although lengthy, "an absolutely model public presentation,” because it addressed economic factors and other background issues rather than just zoning considerations.

The addition, said Slifka in voicing his plans to support the amendment, will add not only construction jobs and revenue from permit fees, but also approximately 35 permanent jobs. In addition, Slifka noted that zoning typically permits use of up to 30 percent of a parcel, but this proposed addition brings the total to only about 15 percent, allowing for the maintenance of significant open space.

Although Slifka said he was sympathetic to those opposed to the project, there were only a few neighbors who did not support it. "We have to consider the harmony with the neighborhood, but [Brookdale Senior Living] seems to have taken many measures to take care of community concerns."

Anticipated taxes from the new facilities are estimated to bring $500,000 to $600,000 additional revenue to West Hartford.

In approving the amendment to the Special Development District, the Town Council added several conditions, including that the berm along Elmfield Street be constructed first, with landscaping added at the earliest possible planting season. The council also required submission of a comprehensive construction schedule prior to the commencement of the project.

"The quality of life is trying to be enhanced for people who are receiving the services. If not at home, people would like to stay in the community. This will give them that opportunity," said council member Leon Davidoff, who supported the measure.

This proposal was "done with thoughtfulness and consideration of quality of life. I appreciate it,” said council member Judy Casperson.

Brookdale Senior Living hoped to begin construction this fall, but a spring 2013 start date is more likely, a representative said.