2011-01-19-LEARY-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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The RFI discussion led to a consensus among the members that the second community meeting should be held before moving forward on the RFL Ms. McCall - Taylor also suggested that the Selectmen approve the RFI prior to its issuance. ➢ HOME Program Details. Aaron Henry met with the HOME Consortium administrators to understand the repercussions and responsibilities that would result should the group feel the use of HOME funds beneficial to the project. The most significant detail learned is that the use of Predevelopment Funds would not be possible. Predevelopment Funding must be granted to HUD - approved community based housing organizations, which Lexington does not have. The Metro West Collaborative Developers (MWCD), of which the Town is a member, is not yet such an organization. Other requirements necessary include an environmental review and a subsidy layering analysis. This sparked a corollary discussion regarding the planned use of a Comprehensive Permit, in this case a "friendly 40B," to provide for the zoning relief necessary to construct any of the projects contemplated by the group thus far. Specifically, staff sought authorization to conduct a preliminary analysis of that process. This investigation is to learn more about the process but also if there are any requirements imposed upon the development by the process that would be appropriate to know prior to the finalization of the RFI and /or the development program itself. ➢ Housing Authority Involvement. Stephen Keane reported that the Housing Authority remained open to assisting LexHAB with any income and tenant monitoring responsibilities that may accompany the final project. It is understood that this would be conducted on a fee for service basis. ➢ LexHAB Project Interest. LexHAB and Task Force members William Kennedy and Lester Savage reported that the organization would be willing to be involved in a multi -unit development and further that the use of HOME funds did not seem to be as prohibitive as it once has seemed, especially since the involvement of the Housing Authority is a distinct possibility. Site Design Discussion Lexington resident and architect Ross Speer, led the Task Force through his approach to the site's development. First discussed was density, including handouts comparing various projects in the area spanning a range of densities and building types. This then turned to the property in question and how things may be presented at the next meeting with the community. There is agreement that any development on the site must use an architectural style that reflects the period and historical use of the existing structure,