HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-14-HPB-min
Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for September 14, 2023
Attendees: Nanette Byrnes, Jeri Foutter (Chair), Jill Hai (Select Board liaison), Margaret Heitz, Charles
Hornig (Planning Board), Wendy Manz, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss,
John Zhao (COA), Harriet Cohen (Clerk)
Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison)
Guests: William Erikson (Affordable Housing Trust), Linda Prosnitz (Affordable Housing Trust), Kathryn
Roy
The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by
Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom teleconference.
1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting
Ms. Foutter called the meeting to order at 7:30. The roll was called.
2. Affordable Housing Trust proposal for North St. and Lowell St parcel
Ms. Prosnitz introduced the discussion by asking for support of two items. The first is for pre-
funding for the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) from CPA funds. The goal is to build a reliable
funding source for the creation of affordable housing.
Mr. Erickson spoke about the undeveloped parcel of land off of Lowell Street. It is a town-owned
parcel that could be developed for affordable housing. The AHT has developed conceptual plans
to show the viability of using the parcel for affordable housing. If the Town moves forward with
using the land for affordable housing, the AHT would create an RFP to find a developer for the
project.
The AHT will present their proposed use of the land to the Select Board on Monday, September
18, to ask for the Select Board’s thoughts on the proposed use. If the Select Board is favorably
inclined toward the use, the AHT will do an in-depth exploration of using the land for affordable
housing. The first step would be a feasibility study.
The HPB then asked questions of the AHT regarding the proposed use. After discussion, the HPB
then turned to the proposed letter of support for both pre-funding and the use of the parcel for
affordable housing to the Select Board.
Ms. Weiss moved HPB approval of the letter of support. Ms. Cohen seconded the motion.
In favor: Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Weiss, Ms. Heitz, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Hornig, Ms. Thompson,
Ms. Foutter
Against: none
Abstaining: none
3. New Business
Ms. Arens said that at the Sept. 13 Planning Board meeting the payment-in-lieu specified in the
SPRD was discussed. The payment-in-lieu as specified in the SPRD is $500/sq foot. The Planning
Board heard a proposal at the Sept. 13 meeting for a greatly reduced payment-in-lieu amount.
No decision was made and the discussion will continue at a subsequent Planning Board meeting.
4. Next meeting Sept. 28th and Thank You Party Oct. 5th
Ms. Foutter reminded the HPB that the next meeting of the HPB will be on Sept. 28 at 7:30. The
party will be later than Oct. 5. Ms. Foutter will advise the HPB as to the date when she has that
information.
5. Adjournment
Ms. Weiss moved adjournment; Ms. Cohen seconded the motion.
In favor: Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Weiss, Ms. Heitz, Mr. Zhao, Mr. Hornig, Ms. Thompson,
Ms. Foutter
Against: none
Abstaining: none
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.