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To the Editor:

I have just learned that the town council is considering approving a six story residential block to be built between Farmington Avenue and Arapaho Road.  I cannot stress enough how much I oppose this plan.

I have been a resident of West Hartford for 36 years. What drew me to the town were the good schools, the excellent town amenities and the ease of accessing goods and services.  Additionally, I appreciated that West Hartford is a “suburb with sidewalks” and from my home I can walk easily to the Center.

While change is difficult, I have lived through and appreciated the development of Blue Back Square, the creation of one way streets in the area surrounding the Center, and the initiation of outdoor dining, which makes our town the restaurant draw that it is.

However traffic anywhere near Farmington and Main has become so congested that I avoid that part of town whenever I can.    I can’t imagine what it would be like with the residents of a six story building driving to and through the area.

I worry about the additional strain on utilities, particularly water and sewage, which will result from adding this much density to the already crowded Center.

How does the Council see a six story building fitting in with the existing one and two story buildings throughout the downtown area? This structure will tower over existing apartments, offices, and shops, not to mention the homes on nearby streets. Why would anyone want to buy property in that neighborhood with such a monstrosity nearby?

If the town really feels that increasing residential housing in the downtown by 10 or 20 or 40 units is necessary, why not locate to a more out-of-the-way space such as behind Blue Back Square? I suppose the old UConn property has been rejected as too far from the hub, but that would make  much more sense, and kill two birds with one stone.

I hate to see West Hartford’s charm ruined by such unfortunate lack of consideration.

Leora Berns
West Hartford

Editor’s Note: The West Hartford Town Council has a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 for the Arapahoe Group LLC’s proposed zone change and Special Development District for Arapahoe and LaSalle roads. Details about the proposal can be found here.