2013-12-00-CPC-rpt (Needs Assessment Report)

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• Lay out the specific framework the CPC will use in formulating its recommendations, both for the guidance of applicants and the understanding of Town Meeting. Goals Lexington's committees and commissions have a long-standing history of carefully assessing Town needs and goals in light of the shared values of its residents. The Lexington Comprehensive Plan, the Open Space and Recreational Plan, and the Town's Consolidated Housing Strategy and Plan were created in this spirit. (For a complete list of Plans, Documents and Studies that are used as CPC sources, see Appendix A). The CPC expects that the CPA will become a resource for carrying out the thoughtful community preservation recommendations contained in these studies. Subsequent sections of this Assessment discuss community goals and projects specific to preservation within each of the four designated purposes of the CPA. In addition to these goals, the CPC has articulated a set of guidelines that apply to projects generally. The CPC will use these guidelines in its review and decision-making process. They are intended to provide additional guidance to those preparing applications for funding. Not all guidelines will be appropriate for every project. Decision -Making Guidelines The CPC will only consider proposals that are eligible for CPA funding according to the terms of the statute (M.G.L. c.44B), specifically, proposals for: • The acquisition, creation, and preservation of open space; • The acquisition, preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic resources; • The creation, preservation, and support of community housing (including the possibility of creating a housing trust for the purpose of preserving or expanding the affordable housing supply; and per the new legislation, the support directly to persons that qualify for community housing.) • The acquisition, creation, preservation and rehabilitation and/or restoration of land for recreational use; and • The rehabilitation and restoration of open space, land for recreational use, and community housing that has been acquired with CPA funds. Preference will be given to proposals which meet as many of the following general criteria as possible, and: Are consistent with current planning documents adopted by the Town; Preserve the essential character of the Town as described in the Comprehensive Plan; 0 Save resources that would otherwise be threatened;