1. Notice of Scoping for The Elle at North Main
Address of possible location: 1244 North Main St. West Hartford, CT 06117
Municipality where proposed action might be located: West Hartford
Project Description: 1244 North Main Street, West Hartford, Connecticut is located along the east side of North Main Street in a residential area of the Town of West Hartford. Bounding the site to the West is North Main Street, across which are single-family residential dwellings. Bounding the site to the North and West is a residential housing development (Tumblebrook Estates). Bounding the site to the south are single-family residential dwellings. The site is a 1.83-acre parcel which is improved with a two and one-half story, 28,200 square foot commercial building formerly used as a synagogue, and asphalt parking. The site was originally developed prior to 1923 with a dwelling; the present-day building was constructed in circa 1968. The surrounding area is primarily residential but was originally residential and farmland. The existing structure, a long vacant former synagogue, consists of a large meeting room and several smaller office and education spaces. SHPO has approved the proposed partial adaptive reuse of the building and new construction. Only a portion of the building would be demolished, leaving a portion of the large meeting room to be re-used as the community room. Most of the development would be new construction of the residential units that would tie into the existing structure. To honor the building's past and bring new life to it, the entire facade will be preserved, including the color paneled windows (but not the office windows and main glass entry door). The new, single structure would largely be set back from the street and is limited to three stories to better integrate into its surroundings. A total of 49 units are proposed with a unit mix consisting of 24 one-bedroom units, 23 two-bedroom units and 2 three-bedroom units. Ten (10) units will be supportive housing units. The redevelopment will not increase the project site footprint. The project is being developed by the West Hartford Housing Authority’s non-profit development arm, Trout Brook Realty Advisors. A project notification was made to the State Historic Preservation Office (“SHPO”), SHPO reviewed the proposal of work for the project site and confirmed in their letter dated November 14, 2023, that “the proposed project will constitute an adverse effect to historic resources”. But finding no prudent and feasible alternative, the Project Proponent has proposed mitigation measures to resolve the adverse effects and “SHPO concurs that the mitigation measure will resolve the adverse effect, and formally requests that the above be included as a requirement for project approval.” No major environmental concern was identified.
Project Map: Click here to view a map of the project area.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: August 16, 2024.
Any person may ask the sponsoring agency to hold a public scoping meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a public scoping meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a public scoping meeting. Such requests must be made by: July 26, 2024.
Written comments and/or requests for a public scoping meeting should be sent to
Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.
Agency: Department of Housing
Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106-7106
E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@ct.gov
Inquiries and requests to view and or copy documents, pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, must be submitted to the sponsoring state agency:
Name: Mithila Chakraborty, Ph.D.
Agency: Department of Housing
Address: 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106-7106
E-Mail: mithila.chakraborty@ct.gov
What Happens Next: The sponsoring agency will make a determination whether to proceed with preparation of an Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIE) or that the project does not require the preparation of an EIE under the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (CEPA). A Post-Scoping Notice of its decision will appear in a future edition of the Environmental Monitor.