Hamden officials are evaluating a proposal that would combine a medical cannabis cultivation facility with affordable housing, transforming a former industrial property into a mixed-use complex with both economic and social impact.
The Project
The plan centers on the former Himmel Brothers fabrication site. Developers are seeking to rezone the parcel into a Planned Development District, a move that would allow for both a cannabis operation and residential use.
The proposal includes:
- A medical cannabis cultivation facility and dispensary under the Nightjar brand
- Renovation of 30 existing apartments and construction of 20 new units, all designated as affordable housing
The dispensary portion has already received approval, while the cultivation facility remains under review by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Developers and Licenses
The cannabis business is led by Soulstar, a women-owned company headed by Amanda Rositano, who holds a provisional cultivator license through Connecticut’s Disproportionately Impacted Area (DIA) program.
Local developer Joseph Natale, who owns the site, is overseeing the housing component and argues that the property’s unique layout makes a Planned Development District the most practical zoning designation.
Community Considerations
If approved, the project would add 50 affordable units to Hamden’s housing supply while positioning the town to benefit from the economic activity of a medical cannabis facility. Developers emphasize that the cannabis operations would serve medical patients only, not recreational consumers.
The Planning & Zoning Commission will continue deliberations before issuing a final decision on the cultivation aspect of the plan.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
