1988-11-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Selectmen's Meeting JOINT MEETING ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING November 21, 1988 Board of Selectmen Chairman Smith introduced the meeting by providing background information on the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen work VMV . wasslons that Preceded the large group meeting now taking place. She indicated the purpose of the large group meeting composed of all Town Hoards and Committees involved in housing issues was to get input and recommendations and a general positive consensus an the housing strategy proposed by the Planning Hoard and Board of Selectmen, to stimulate thinking about roles and responsibilities, and to get to know our fellow housing advocates better. (attendance record attached) Chairman Smith then detailed A) the risks of not having a com rehensive housina strategy (loss of diverse citizenry, comprehensive permits resulting in loss of local control), B) wham such an affordable housin strate would serve (elderly, single heads of housegold, town employees, service sector workers, special and regional needs citizens), and, C) who should be involved in the provision and development of affordable housinq in Lexin ton (LHA, Town, State, schools, business, religious groups, service organizations, home owners and developers). the Chairman Smith outlined the housing strategy developed by the Planning Board and Hoard of Selectmen as f o l l o w s : To create 100 -173 units of public or privately developed affordable housing over the next five years via the following mechanisms: vow *Town initiated development on school sites, beginnning with Meagherville *Scatter site housino *Working with private developers on multi - family oeveiopments *reviewing the accessory apartment bylaw, and making it more attractive Judith Uhrig, Chairman of the Planning Hoard discussed her Board and the Board of Selectmen's lack of a consensus on the proper role to be played in the advancement of affordable housing in town by each of the" participating committees and boards involved in housing. Rick White, Town Manager discussed the staff's role in providing engineering and other information necessary to the policy boards that need to present Town Meeting with an acceptable affordable housing development proposal. He said it was premature to talk about hiring a "Housing Specialist" until such time as the town has developed more affordable housing. The Town's needs at this time are too varied (engineering, planning, architectural, public relations, grantswriter, etc) to hire one person to oversee the development effort.