A Hartford churchoperates a food pantry for two hours a week, helping to feed the hungry.
But it does so in an expensive part of town, the city's West End, less than a half-mile from the house of Mayor Pedro Segarra and across the street from the beautiful Elizabeth Park. It has caused a bit of controversy, which has been quite well documented elsewhere. (There's this, too.)
In short, the West End Civic Association decided to oppose the operation, saying it didn't meet the requirements for zoning in a residential neighborhood.
So, here's the buried lead: I just spoke with the head of the city's planning department, Thomas Deller, the city has decided the following:
There is nothing that's in violation of zoning. We're looking at it as a permitted accessory use and we're hoping that the neighbors and the church can sit down and talk about how to lessen the impact. There's nothing we're going to do about it.
Deller also says he spoke with the city's health department, and it has no problem with the pantry, either.
So. As you were.