West Hartford Rejects Vessel Technologies’ 120-Apartment Plan

Planning officials in West Hartford have rejected a proposal from **Vessel Technologies** for a new **120-unit** apartment complex, citing concerns over the project’s vague details and safety issues. The decision follows a recent settlement in **Bethel**, where the company was approved to build **72 apartments** after a legal dispute.

The rejection, communicated in a letter on **October 20, 2023**, pointed out that Vessel’s application lacked essential information for each unit, including the specifications for kitchens and bathrooms, both of which are required for legal classification as apartments. Town Planner **Todd Dumais** highlighted that the submission failed to address critical aspects related to public health and safety, such as fire safety measures and sanitary sewer capacity.

Previously, Vessel had proposed a **108-unit** development at the same location, **29 Highland St.**, but withdrew in response to community opposition. The current proposal was deemed insufficient in detail, leading to its rejection. Dumais noted that the missing information extended to not just life-safety design elements but also essential internal layouts and site screening.

In response, **Josh Levy**, executive vice president of Vessel Technologies, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, asserting that the town did not raise concerns during the two-month review period. He emphasized that the **Connecticut 8-30g law**, which promotes affordable housing, mandates that communities must provide concrete evidence to justify any rejections based on health or safety issues.

Levy stated, “Had the town planner or town attorney thought to ask us any of these questions during their more than two-month review of our application, we’d have gladly responded to and resolved them.” He confirmed that the company plans to resubmit a revised proposal that will meet all applicable codes and standards, aiming to provide essential housing for the community.

The officials in West Hartford have expressed particular concern regarding Vessel’s modular construction methods and the materials used, which have led to unresolved safety issues in other projects. Dumais referenced ongoing compliance problems with a Vessel project in **Cheshire**, where construction has faced significant delays due to safety code violations.

Cheshire’s building official issued a **“Stop All Work”** order earlier this year, halting all construction permits due to failure to comply with multiple building code requirements. The situation in Cheshire has raised alarms among West Hartford officials, who are keen on maintaining safety standards.

Vessel Technologies maintains that it is committed to addressing Connecticut’s housing shortage, which it estimates to be between **100,000 and 150,000 homes**. The company aims to set aside **30%** of its units for affordable leases, aligning with the requirements of the **8-30g law**, which restricts municipalities’ ability to reject housing proposals.

The firm has faced challenges in various Connecticut communities, including ongoing legal disputes in **Glastonbury** and **Newtown**, but has secured agreements in **Simsbury** and **Rocky Hill** for smaller projects. While it has only one operational building, a **30-unit** complex in **New London**, the company continues to push for its developments despite community pushback in certain areas.

West Hartford has seen significant apartment construction in recent years and has been recognized for its efforts to accommodate affordable housing. Town Manager **Rick Ledwith** reiterated the town’s commitment to affordable housing while ensuring that all developments meet fundamental health and safety standards.

As Vessel Technologies prepares to resubmit its proposal, the outcome remains uncertain, with the company hopeful that a revised plan will satisfy the town’s requirements and contribute to addressing the pressing housing needs in West Hartford.