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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-23-HPB-min t1891 ' Lexington Rowing Partnership Boar' Meeting Minutes for March 23, 2021 Attendees: Bob Burbidge, Harriet Cohen,Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Paul Linton, Robert Peters, Bob Pressman, Mark Sandeen, Melanie Thompson, Melinda Walker, Betsey Weiss,John Zhao Absent: Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Wendy Manz Guests: Matt Daggett, Pamela Hallett, Bill Kennedy,Jonina Schonfeld The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:03. 2. Affordable Housing Trusts(AHT), Housing Development Corporations(HDC),and Community Development Corporations(CDC) Ms. Hallett, Executive Director, Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA), spoke about the work that Arlington has done to create affordable housing.The Housing Corporation has provided a vehicle that has enabled Arlington to create local affordable housing. The HCA is a CDC. As a CDC, the HCA can provide a variety of community services, including housing,tutoring, and mentoring. If it were an AHT, it would be limited to building houses. The HCA is both a type of CDC known as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and a Certified Development Corporation.The advantage of being a CHDO is that CHDOs have access to HOME funding. As a Community Development Corporation,they have access to DHDC funds for housing and they can participate in a citizen tax credit program. In this program, if a citizen donates a minimum of$1,000,the citizen receives a credit of half the donated amount towards their state taxes.The donor can choose the use of their funds. Ms. Hallett answered questions from the HPB regarding financial and other aspects of CDCs. She offered to provide a tour of the scattered site housing that is nearing completion. 3. HPB Vote on AHT, HDC, and/or CDC The HPB reviewed the draft letter supporting the creation of a task force to investigate the creation of an AHT and a task force to investigate reconstituting LexHAB as a CDC.The HPB asked for clarifications of the language of the letter while agreeing on the purpose of the letter. As such,the HPB agreed that the HPB members would provide edits to Ms. Cohen. Mr. Linton then moved that the HPB support in principle a task force to investigate the creation of an AHT and support a task force to investigate reconstituting LexHAB as a CDC. Ms. Weiss seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously. 4. Article 36 Mr. Daggett provided a roadmap laying out a timeline for housing mitigation. He shared new areas of investigation since his presentation at the last HPB meeting. Mr. Daggett then answered :: :: Lexington Rowing Partnership Boar' questions from the HPB. Ms. Cohen moved that the HPB support Article 36. Ms. Walker seconded the motion.The HPB voted as follows: Yea: Bob Burbidge, Harriet Cohen,Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Paul Linton, Bob Pressman (qualified yes), Melinda Walker,John Zhao Nay: Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss 5. Board Member Updates ■ Planning Board Most of the discussion at the most recent Planning Board meeting was about the proposed Hartwell Innovation Park(Articles 44 and 45).The Planning Board also discussed Article 36. Articles 44 and 45 were supported unanimously. Article 36 was supported on a vote of 3 in favor and 2 against. ■ LexHAB Mr. Burbidge said that LexHAB is focused on the investigation of reconstituting LexHAB. Work continues on Vine Street housing. Mr. Burbidge reported that LexHAB is selecting tenants for Wright Farm. ■ Lexington Housing Authority No updates at this meeting. ■ Council on Aging Mr. Zhao discussed a town-wide survey of seniors in conducted in 2019. Housing affordability is one of the leading concerns of seniors in Lexington.There was also concern about safely aging at home.The COA work on housing has been deferred during the pandemic. ■ SPRD The SPRD Committee has met. Charles Hornig proposed that the average GFA of smaller units be set at 2200 square feet.This would lead to more cottage style homes. ■ Needham Webpage (https://www.needhamma.gov/3679/Housing) Ms. Walker asked that the Needham housing web page be shared with the HPB. Ms. Walker pointed out that information on affordable housing at the Lexington Town website is notable absent. Needham is a good model for providing Town information on affordable housing. Ms. Foutter suggested we follow-up in a subsequent 6. Approve Prior Minutes Ms. Weiss moved acceptance of the minutes of February 2021, Mr. Linton seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously, with one abstention (Melanie Thompson). Lexington Housing Partnership Boar' 7. New Business No new business. 8. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be on Thursday,April 22, at 7:00 pm. 9. Adjournment Ms. Cohen moved adjournment, Ms. Weiss seconded the motion.The motion was approved unanimously.The meeting adjourned at 9:24 pm.