Vessel Technologies had withdrawn plans for rezoning and creation of a Special Development District at 29 Highland Street in West Hartford in April, but has submitted a new application.

View facing rear of 29 Highland Street as proposed in application by Vessel Technologies on Nov. 4, 2025. Courtesy of Vessel Technologies

By Ronni Newton

Vessel Technologies has renewed its efforts to obtain approval to construct a multifamily development in West Hartford, and on Nov. 4 submitted a site plan application to Town Planner Todd Dumais.

The new application, made pursuant to Section 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statutes, is for the construction of 120 apartment units at 29 Highland Street, property for which Vessel has a purchase and sale contract in place that is contingent on approval of the project. Pursuant to 8-30g requirements, 30% of the units (36 units) would be deed-restricted as affordable housing to those earning 80% or less than the area median income (AMI).

On April 29, 2025, Vessel Technologies withdrew its initial application for a project requesting rezoning and creation of a Special Development District that in its final iteration proposed 108 units of multifamily housing at that same 29 Highland Street property. The application was withdrawn just hours before what would been the fourth installment of a public hearing on the proposal. That application, also made pursuant to 8-30g, would have included 32 deed-restricted units of affordable housing.

View facing side of south building as proposed in application by Vessel Technologies on Nov. 4, 2025. Courtesy of Vessel Technologies

The review process for a site plan application differs from a Special Development District application and in West Hartford, if it meets the criteria, can be approved administratively through the Town Planner’s office. The earlier application by Vessel for an SDD required review by the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC), Town Plan and Zoning Commission (TPZ), a public hearing, and a vote of the Town Council – which in West Hartford is the ultimate zoning authority.

However, because 8-30g overrides local zoning ordinances if a municipality does not already have 10% of its housing qualified as affordable, the new attorney representing Vessel – Jason A. Klein, a partner with Stamford-based Carmody, Torrance, Sandak, Hennessey LLP – has taken a different approach with the site plan application. West Hartford is close to having 10% deed-restricted affordable housing based on approved developments, but the threshold is based on occupied units, so the town is still subject to the 8-30g statute.

Former Hughes Health and Rehabilitation at 29 Highland Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

The 29 Highland Street property, site of the former Hughes Health & Rehabilitation facility, is zoned RI (residence-institutional), and multifamily housing is not an allowed use, but a request for a zone change is not specifically addressed in the new application materials.

“The Town of West Hartford is carefully reviewing this application to determine the appropriate process under state law and local ordinance,” Corporation Counsel Dallas Dodge said in a statement when asked about the submission by We-Ha.com. “West Hartford has a long record of supporting and advancing affordable housing and remains committed to that goal. At the same time, the Town will conduct a thorough review to ensure that all health, safety, and community standards are fully considered.”

Key differences between the application previously under consideration and the new application include a greater number of units (120 rather than 108), and a proposed five stories for each building rather than four stories. According to a Vessel spokesperson, the new proposal intends for 13 of the units to be two-bedroom apartments and five to have three bedrooms, with the remainder as one-bedroom units. A total of 135 parking spaces would be provided, an increase from the 123 spaces in the previous proposal.

View facing side of north building \as proposed in application by Vessel Technologies on Nov. 4, 2025. Courtesy of Vessel Technologies

“Vessel saw an opportunity to provide more attainable housing for the West Hartford community while still maintaining full compliance with all relevant codes and preserving the project’s character,” a spokesperson for Vessel told We-Ha.com in a statement when asked about the expansion of the size of the proposed development.

The initial application was withdrawn amid continued questions questions about fire safety and related concerns. An 8-30g application can be denied only if it’s “necessary to protect public interest in health and safety,” West Hartford Deputy Corporation Counsel Gina Varano said during a Feb. 25, 2025 hearing on the initial proposal, and if those reasons clearly outweigh the need for affordable housing and the public interest cannot be protected without meaningful amendments.

From the time the initial application was officially received by the Town Council in December 2024, town staff, including West Hartford’s fire and building departments, had been working to understand some of the unique characteristics of Vessel Technologies’ construction methods and materials they use to create their buildings and the construction process. The units that are combined to construct the apartment buildings are modular and prefabricated of materials – including the materials used for the walls and doors of the units – that Vessel states are non-combustible, then assembled onsite, with metal staircases, hallways, and common areas that are partially open to the air and exposed to the elements. Green technology is also a focus, including the use of solar power.

Aerial view facing the front of proposed Vessel project site from Nov. 4, 2025 application. Courtesy of Vessel Technologies

State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert and State Building Inspector Omarys Vasqyez have had also gotten involved in reviewing some of the code-related concerns raised by West Hartford staff as well staff in other Connecticut towns where Vessel has been pursuing developments, including Cheshire, Simsbury, Avon, and Rocky Hill. A development by Vessel in New London is complete and occupied. An application by Vessel for a development in Bethel was denied last month, based on concerns about potential damage to wells on neighboring properties during the construction process.

West Hartford had previously asked Vessel to submit detailed construction plans for review prior to the rendering of a decision on the application, but the company had stated that it is not customary to create those extensive plans until the initial project approval has taken place. Vessel Executive Vice President Josh Levy said in April that they are fully committed to meeting or exceeding all state codes, and said specifics will be addressed during the permitting process.

“Vessel has agreed with the Office of the State Building Inspector on a small number of modifications to our design, including a design change to the corridors, ensuring full compliance with state code. Once this project is approved, a fully compliant design will be presented through the normal permitting process,” a Vessel spokesperson said in a statement to We-Ha.com in response to a question about the new application.

Joseph H. Versteeg, of Torrington-based Versteeg Associates, a code complaisance and fire safety consulting firm engaged by Vessel, stated the following in a letter accompanying the new application: “It should be noted that floor plan schematics and exterior building elevations, developed for the zoning process do not contain the level of construction detail required for a comprehensive Code review. The level of detail necessary to make such a determination is only incorporated into what the Connecticut State Building Code refers to as construction documents which are required to contain all information necessary for the West Hartford Building Official and Fire Marshal to determine compliance with the Connecticut State Building Code and Connecticut Fire Safety Code when considering whether to issue a building permit. Construction documents are always developed only after zoning approval and then submitted with the building permit application.”

Versteeg, who concluded that based on the available materials the proposed project would comply with Connecticut’s “adopted administrative regulations addressing building safety,” stated that compliance with applicable codes would be mandated prior the issuance of any certificate of occupancy.

A development approach memo accompanying the application materials states that “Vessel builds innovative, sustainable and attainably priced apartment buildings through a proprietary process that shortens timelines, reduces waste, and ensures lasting quality. This approach minimizes disruption to surrounding neighbors while reducing execution risk and bringing new housing to market faster than traditional construction.”

Vessel Technologies “was founded to offer each person an equal opportunity for an extraordinary life by providing access to homes that are exciting, sustainable and attainably priced. Vessel leverages strategies borrowed from consumer product developers to create exceptional housing that incorporates the latest software-enabled technologies, sustainable building materials, and elegant aesthetics in apartments accessible to all,” states the cover letter from Klein accompanying the application materials.

The original application was withdrawn without prejudice, and at the time Town Manager Rick Ledwith issued the following statement regarding the withdrawal: “We appreciate Vessel’s responsiveness and their willingness to work in partnership with our Town staff. Vessel graciously offered to withdraw its application without prejudice, and we agreed to work in collaboration with Vessel in advancing our shared commitment to affordable housing.”

At an initial public hearing on the original application held on on Feb. 25, that lasted nearly four hours, a presentation by Vessel was followed by robust public comment by more a dozen members of the community. Many of the concerns raised related to traffic and the adequacy of parking.

Dodge said the town will not have further comment about the status of the application at this time.

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