2019-07-22 Joint BOS and HPB-min

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Page 1 of 2 Joint Meeting Board of Selectmen and Housing Partnership Board Monday, July 22, 2019 A Joint meeting of the Lexington Board of Selectmen and Housing Partnership Board was called to order at 8:23 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2019 in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building. Mr. Lucente, Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Barry; Ms. Hai; and Mr. Sandeen were present as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Assistant Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk and Liz Rust, Regional Housing Services Office. Present from the Housing Partnership Board were Ms. Foutter, Chair; Mr. Pressman, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Walker; Ms. Weis, Vice Chair; Ms. Thompson and Mr. Linton. Overview of Local Initiative Program - Friendly 40B Housing Process Liz Rust, Regional Housing Services, stated the 40B Housing process establishes a consolidated local review and approval process, known as a “comprehensive permit” that empowers the zoning board of appeals (ZBA) in each city and town to hold hearings and make binding decisions that encompass all local ordinances or bylaws and regulations. Ms. Rust explained the Local Initial Program (LIP) Friendly 40B Housing process includes the following: early review and input from local Boards-the Board of Selectmen and the Housing Partnership Board approves the project concept; comment period by DHCD, site visit, unit mix, affordability, department conformance with regulations/guidelines; comments from Town Boards, final Plan with conditions, justify Local Preference; defines Affordability, Housing Restriction, rent calculations; local outreach, applicant review, leasing materials; annual certification to DHCD: financial management, fair housing, unit mix, rents, eligible tenants. Update on Proposed Friendly 40B Housing - 840 Emerson Gardens Road Mr. Robert Buckley, Riemer & Braunstein, representing Emerson Gardens LLC, stated that the proposal is for a Friendly 40B Housing project at 840 Emerson Gardens for a high-quality, multifamily rental housing units. He said that Emerson Gardens LLC is looking for feedback from the Board of Selectmen as to whether the Board was receptive to this project being submitted via the Local Initiative Program (LIP) Friendly 40B application. Mr. Todd Freidmont Smith, Nordblom, provided an overview of the housing project in which Emerson Gardens LLC proposes a building a new structure for multifamily rental housing to include 25% affordable housing. The majority of the Board of Selectmen was comfortable with Emerson Gardens LLC submitting their proposed project via the LIP Friendly 40B application process. Ms. Barry expressed that she felt this project should be submitted through the traditional process of Town Meeting. Mr. Buckley stated 840 Emerson Gardens next step in evaluating whether or not they will proceed with a Friendly 40B application will be to gather feedback from a public listening session.