For quite some time, there has been talk, and plenty of gossip, about the town’s plan to build affordable apartments on Deming Street. The plan was first proposed by Metro Realty at the town council meeting on July 25th, 2023. The proposed apartment location will be somewhere near the current location of the Cavalry Church.
The Planning and Zoning committee have met many times to further discuss the plans for the area. The October 24th meeting saw the Metro Realty company come in front of the board, continuing the request for approval to build the apartments. Tom Daily, an engineer by trade and the civil engineer for the project, spoke to the South Windsor Planning and Zoning committee, giving further details revolving around the project.
“It was designed to be very well balanced,” Daily said, on explaining to the board how the parking and flow of cars would work. Daily also described the layout of the project and the projected site location. By the end of the meeting, the board decided that it would continue the public hearing on November 28th.
During the meetings, the Committee opened up the floor to the residents of the town, allowing them to speak either in favor or against the proposal. Most residents seemed against the project, commenting on how it would create a noticeable amount of chaos for the already present residents, dampen the financial worth of the property, and was unnecessary, not fitting the needs of the existing residents and the town. There also was a concern that the development will contribute to the already present overpopulation of South Windsor Public Schools.
After the November 28th meeting, the board decided to reconvene at their next meeting, in which they would be making their final decision.
Finally, on Tuesday December 12th, the committee met for a regular meeting, making a special exception approval for the plan to construct at 240 Deming street. Before voting on approval of the project, a few more things needed to be discussed. The surrounding neighborhood residents of that particular area were asked about how they would feel about new apartments and the effects that would come with new housing.
“It kind of caught them by surprise,” explained the head commissioner Stephen Wagner, speaking on their behalf.
Due to this, the council suggested that it be a low-maintenance property, meaning that the apartments would need little routine maintenance, only occurring every once in a while. However, they would continue to follow a maintenance schedule.
In preparation of the vote, Commissioner Kevin Foley shared his thoughts on some of the conditions that went with building the apartments.
“You may have changed the zone, but I don’t think we are entitled to the lives that live there,” said Commissioner Foley, as he suggested that that board revisit a variety of things before moving to a final vote. “Affordable housing is needed in the market, nobody is against that, but we’re putting 55 units in that little area.”
With everything in mind, the Committee took a vote. In the end, it was a narrow 3 opposed, 4 approved, which put the plan for 55 apartments on 240 Deming Street into motion.
While the plan still needs some things adjusted, the project for 55 apartment units to the South Windsor Community will be moving forward. The area would also consist of a playground area for the residents of the apartments, along with a parking lot.
While a large number of citizens continue to oppose this new project, some are excited to see what the future holds for both the apartment complex and the town with these new changes.
“The community needs affordable housing,” Commissioner Wagner stated. One way or another, the new changes to both the community and town of South Windsor remain imminent.
