HARTFORD — A housing development in Hartford will be on the agenda of two meetings next week as Twin Pines Housing Trust attempts to get it off the ground.

Twin Pines has three actions on the agendas of two meetings for

The project in question, at 747 Hartford Ave., aims to create 18 one-bedroom apartments targeted at the chronically homeless on part of the 2-acre property owned by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The project is one of two aimed at the unhoused in White River Junction; the other is spearheaded by the Upper Valley Haven.

On Monday, the Hartford Planning Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Monday for a public hearing on preliminary approval of the Twin Pines project, as well as approval of a site development plan. The commission could grant the preliminary approval of the request, but Twin Pines would still need to come back later for a final approval.

Then at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Zoning Board will consider a conditional use approval on the property.

All three items at both meetings are public hearings and the public will be allowed to speak.

Lori Hirshfield, director of Hartford Planning & Development, cautioned that this application should not be confused with an expected application from the Haven. Hirshfield said some people in the community have confused the two projects because of their location and similarities.

Monday will be the second time Twin Pines has gone before the Planning Board seeking preliminary approval. An earlier appearance resulted in requested modifications and additional input by the community.

David Crandall, director of development and communications for Twin Pines, voiced optimism The planned construction has been modified several times, but Crandall believes the dialogue has improved the plan.

“I think it’s a better project,” Crandall said. “We’re happy with what it looks like now and where it is. The community input was really valuable and it was mostly constructive.”

One of the biggest changes to be examined is an expansion from 14 apartments to 18. But Crandall noted other changes made in reaction to town requirements and resident input, including a pitched roof rather than a flat roof, windows that better resemble the color and shape of windows adjacent buildings, the addition of a fence on Demers Avenue, a redesigned emergency exit on Demers, and a gate that matches the fence.

Bike racks and an entrance on the north side of the building and have been moved to the south side.

“We did try to address community concerns,” Crandell said. “We are aware of some of the negative chatter out in the community, but we do our best to try to respond to the criticism. Have we won people over? I think we have.”

Abutters and others in White River Junction have spoke against the project, voicing concerns about attracting a larger population of homeless in a residential neighborhood.

Crandall said he has noticed more community support in online discussions.

“There are a number of community members that will push back and say, ‘This is important for the community,’ ” Crandall said.

The proposed three-story structure would be built on a portion of the lot owned by the church and located right next door to the Haven, which provides temporary shelter and food and other services for those in need.

The location will allow residents to receive services at the Haven.

Units will most likely be occupied by single residents, with couples possible.

Applicants for the permanent housing with a history of sex or drug trafficking crimes will be disqualified.

Crandall said he knows 18 units won’t solve the housing problem in the Upper Valley, but is another project among many toward solving the problem.

“We’re continuing to look at other projects in our pipeline,” Crandall said. “We’re just plugging away.

Darren Marcy can be reached at dmarcy@vnews.com or 802-291-4992.