W. Hartford to consider plan for 54-unit residential development on vacant industrial site – Hartford Business Journal

Report on the Proposed “Madsen Acres” Residential Development and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Project Overview and Contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

A development proposal, named “Madsen Acres,” has been submitted for consideration in West Hartford. The project focuses on constructing a 54-unit residential complex on a currently vacant site, directly contributing to the objectives of SDG 11 by promoting inclusive and sustainable urbanization.

• Developer: Honeycomb Real Estate Partners LLC
• Location: 230 Newington Road and a portion of 60 Brook St., West Hartford
• Proposal: Construction of six two-story buildings containing a total of 54 residential units.
• Alignment with SDG Target 11.1: The project aims to increase the availability of adequate and safe housing by developing a vacant 0.63-acre property and part of an adjacent 13.8-acre industrial site.
• Alignment with SDG Target 11.3: By repurposing vacant land for residential use, the project supports sustainable land-use planning and infill development, key components of inclusive urbanization.

Addressing Economic Disparities through SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The application leverages state statutes designed to combat housing inequality, thereby aligning with SDG 1 and SDG 10, which aim to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities within and among countries.

1. Statutory Framework: The application is submitted under Section 8-30g of the Connecticut General Statutes, a law promoting the development of affordable housing.
2. Mechanism for Affordability: This statute allows developers to override certain local zoning regulations if at least 30% of the proposed units are guaranteed to remain affordable for the long term.
3. Impact on Inequality: By ensuring a portion of the development is accessible to lower-income residents, the project directly addresses housing affordability, a critical factor in reducing economic disparity and poverty. While the application narrative confirms the units will be for sale, it does not yet specify the exact number of units that will be priced affordably.

Environmental Stewardship and Alignment with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land)

The proposal includes measures for environmental review and management, reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices in line with SDG 6 and SDG 15.

• Protection of Water-Related Ecosystems (SDG 6 & 15): An application for an Inland Wetlands and Watercourses permit has been submitted. The developer asserts that the project will have “no direct wetland impacts,” indicating an effort to protect local water resources and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Sustainable Water Management (SDG 6): The project plan incorporates storm drainage infrastructure, a crucial element for managing water runoff in urban developments and protecting the quality of local water bodies.
• Sustainable Land Use (SDG 15): The development includes landscaping plans, which can contribute to local biodiversity and mitigate the environmental impact of new construction.

Key Project Specifications and Regulatory Review

The Town Plan and Zoning Commission is scheduled to review the application, which includes the following key components:

1. Unit Composition: 54 total units, comprising 38 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom residences.
2. Infrastructure: The plan includes 71 parking spaces alongside storm drainage and landscaping.
3. Zoning Modification: The applicant will seek to change the zoning of the properties from R-6 (residential) and industrial to a unified RM-1/special development district zone to accommodate the multifamily development.
4. Commission Review: The proposal will be discussed during the commission’s regular meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. in West Hartford Town Hall.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the proposed residential development in West Hartford connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing issues of housing, urban development, inequality, and environmental management.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The article focuses on constructing new residential units in a town, which directly relates to urban development and providing housing. The emphasis on affordable housing is a core component of making cities inclusive and sustainable.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The provision of “low-cost housing with long-term affordability protections” is a critical measure for poverty reduction. Access to affordable housing is a basic service that helps prevent vulnerable populations from falling into poverty.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article highlights that the development is proposed under a state law (Section 8-30g) that applies to towns with “less than 10% affordable housing.” This law is designed to reduce housing inequality by enabling the construction of affordable units in municipalities where they are scarce, thereby promoting economic inclusion.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The project’s need for an “Inland Wetlands and Watercourses permit” and the inclusion of “storm drainage infrastructure” connect the development to the sustainable management of water resources.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The development is planned on a vacant site, and the developers are seeking a permit related to wetlands, stating the project will have “no direct wetland impacts.” This touches upon the sustainable use of land and the protection of local ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The entire project, particularly its application under Section 8-30g which “promotes the development of low-cost housing,” is a direct effort to increase the availability of affordable housing in West Hartford.
2. Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property… The project aims to create housing units that “will be for sale,” including a portion that is affordable, thereby increasing access to property ownership for lower-income residents.
3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status. The state law mentioned in the article allows developers to “override local zoning regulations” to build affordable housing, directly promoting the economic inclusion of people who might otherwise be priced out of the community.
4. Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels… The requirement for an “Inland Wetlands and Watercourses permit” and the design of “storm drainage infrastructure” demonstrate that the project must integrate water resource management into its planning and construction phases.
5. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular… wetlands… The developer’s application for a wetlands permit and the claim of “no direct wetland impacts” show a direct consideration for the conservation of local ecosystems as part of the land development process.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 11.1: The article provides a clear indicator by referencing the state law’s threshold: the “proportion of affordable housing” in a town. The law applies to towns with “less than 10% affordable housing,” which serves as a baseline measurement. A direct progress indicator from the project would be the number and proportion of new affordable units created. The law requires that “30% of the units are guaranteed to remain affordable,” which for a 54-unit project translates to approximately 16 affordable units.
• Indicator for Target 10.2: The number of new affordable housing units built in a town with a documented shortage serves as a direct indicator of progress toward greater economic inclusion in that community.
• Indicator for Targets 6.5 and 15.1: An implied indicator is the outcome of the environmental review process. The approval of the “Inland Wetlands and Watercourses permit” by the Town Plan and Zoning Commission would indicate that the project meets local standards for water management and ecosystem protection. Furthermore, verifying the claim of “no direct wetland impacts” through environmental assessment would be a key performance indicator.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hartfordbusiness.com