Editor’s Note: This story by Darren Marcy first appeared in the Valley News on April 28.
HARTFORD — A proposal for an apartment building aimed at the homeless population drew support last week from people hopeful of making a dent in the housing crisis and opposition from nearby residents concerned about the development’s effect on the neighborhood.
More than 80 people turned out for a Hartford Planning Commission meeting to discuss the 18-unit complex put forward by the nonprofit Twin Pines Housing Trust. It would be a three-story structure of one-bedroom apartments on land to be acquired from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Route 5 in White River Junction. The site is adjacent to the Upper Valley Haven, which is also planning to build a 20-person low-barrier shelter for unhoused people.
The meeting last Monday had been slated as a back-to-back, with the Zoning Board of Adjustment discussing a conditional use permit Tuesday, but the zoning meeting was continued when some board members could not attend.
Still, the meeting had plenty of discussion for planning commissioners, who spent most of the four-hour, online-only meeting hearing from 70-plus people who asked questions or offered testimony about the proposal.
Some opposition to the project centered on changes residents worried would exacerbate issues already taking root in the neighborhood.
“What’s happening in this area now doesn’t feel safe,” said Jess Bowen, who said she lives four doors away from the proposed complex. “Even in the daylight now, kids have been approached walking home from school. We’re not safe the way it is right now.”
On the other side of the issue, supporters — including the Rev. Scott Neal of St. Paul’s Church — spoke about serving the needs of unhoused people.
“I’ve had many encounters with our homeless single individuals,” Neal said. “They’ve had a rough start and been unlucky in life. I have a deep interest in discovering and serving our unhoused brothers and sisters.”
Before the commissioners was Twin Pines’ second request for approval of the planned development. The Planning Commission denied an earlier request in mid-February, but the developers made changes in answer to criticism leveled by the commission and neighbors of the project.
The changes included adding a pitched roof instead of the original flat roof that would have better accommodated solar panels. There were also changes such as altering the color and shape of windows, the location of an entrance and bike racks, the addition of a fence, and more.
Andrew Winter, executive director of Twin Pines Housing, said the organization worked hard to improve the proposal and answer those challenges and that the project would help the community by offering stable housing to people who need it.
“You won’t home everybody, but it makes a difference,” Winter said. “Getting people into housing gets them out of camping and solves some of the issues neighbors have been complaining about.”
He also said the apartments would require people to pay 30% of their income in rent and would be home to men and women of all ages. The apartments would require a one-year lease, and renters would have to qualify with background checks for drug-trafficking or sex-based convictions.
The building is part of a larger plan for the St. Paul’s property, and the interplay between the church, Twin Pines and the Haven is part of why many people in the neighborhood turned out to urge the Planning Commission not to approve the apartment complex. While the plans go hand in hand, the Haven’s shelter is officially a separate proposal from the one before the commission from Twin Pines.
Commission member Colin Butler addressed the intertwined proposals, which was also brought up by numerous members of the public in their comments.
“It’s difficult to comment on this project without knowing what the Haven is proposing,” Butler said. “Without seeing what the Haven is proposing, there may not be space.”
Butler admitted, however, that judging the Twin Pines proposed project based on how it would work with the Haven’s plans was unfair.
“That’s their projects on their property on their side of the line,” Butler said. “It’s a little bit hard to envision the impact on the community.”
Twin Pines says the location next to the Haven is critical to allow apartment tenants to access the Haven’s services next door.
Some neighbors’ objections were attributed to how the various nonprofits have handled presenting the project to the community.
“I’d be the first person to help make this work, but it’s been hard because I don’t feel like I’ve been listened to,” Michelle Boleski, a nearby neighbor, said when it was her turn to speak. “There’s been a total lack of respect for the people who live here from St. Paul’s, The Haven and Twin Pines.”
Others were more complimentary to the parties driving the development. Supporter David Allen said the town needed to consider the implications of not allowing the project and failing to address two critical issues facing the community: homelessness and lack of affordable housing.
“This project is going to take people and provide them housing options, and it’s going to help the neighborhood,” Allen said. “I’m a big supporter of Twin Pines Housing and The Haven. These are well-run organizations — the best in the Upper valley in their respective fields.”
Commissioners had questions but generally shied away from offering too many opinions. A few questioned the size of the proposed structure, including Commissioner John Heath, who was worried about it and the Haven squeezing onto the parcel.
“It’s all tied together,” Heath said. “I really feel like there should be more area.”
He also asked if a 14-unit building, the original plan, would allow the structure to be built in only two stories.
Winter said the economics just don’t add up as well at 14 units as it would at 18, with operating expenses including audit fees, maintenance, insurance, taxes and more.
“It’s really hard,” Winter said. “Costs add up. Having those additional units makes a big difference.”
Two other neighbors who spoke said they saw both sides of the issue.
Jessica Pecora, who lives across the street, said she works at the Haven.
“On one hand, I see all the wonderful work the Haven does, but I’m also a neighbor,” Pecora said. “I support this project, and the Haven has always been a wonderful neighbor. With the housing crises we are experiencing right now, this is a wonderful chance to make a dent in that.”
Marcy Bartlett, however, was slightly less supportive but offered Twin Pines a compliment.
“You’re doing better,” Bartlett told Winter about the improved application. “It’s taking you a while to learn that we’re your boots on the ground. We’re living it. We’re the experts.”
After more than four hours the board decided to continue the meeting until May 23 without making any decisions.
The following night, a scheduled Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting dealing with a request for a conditional use permit for the same property was also continued to its May meeting after some board members were not able to make it.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misattributed Jess Bowen’s quote.