Laserfiche WebLink
rehab a unit to make it handicapped accessible was not defensible under the <br />statute’s definition of the term “support”. Ms. Fenollosa had communicated <br />with Mr. Batt about this issue, and sought further definition on this point. In <br />general, the Committee believed the project was admirable but after some <br />discussion, agreed it must abide by Town Counsel’s opinion. The Committee <br />voted 5-3-1 not to forward the project on to the Public Hearing the following <br />night. Mr. Adler abstained from the vote. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />3.Muzzey Condominium Window Replacement Project – <br />Ginger McGuire, <br />Hans Maas and Sally Springer of the Muzzey High Condominium <br />Association joined the CPC to clarify statements made in their presentation on <br />th <br />November 15, regarding the replacement of windows on the historic former <br />Muzzey High School building. Ms. McGuire stated that the Association was <br />applying to the CPC for the entire cost of replacement, $253,915, not just for <br />the FY 2012 amount of $50,517. Ms. McGuire went on to address certain <br />questions raised in her initial meeting with the CPC. She stated that she had <br />researched bridge loans, but that the Association was unable to qualify for <br />such a loan. She also noted that the Association would try to compress the <br /> <br />installation schedule if possible, a suggestion made by Mr. Kanter. <br /> <br />Mr. Adler asked if the costs of the windows would be included in the <br />purchase price of units when the units were ultimately sold. Ms. McGuire <br />replied that such a decision would be up to LexHAB. Ms. Springer said this <br />question had been posed to LexHAB, and as yet remained unanswered. Mr. <br />Cohen noted that it would in fact be the Selectmen who would make such a <br />decision. <br /> <br />There was a discussion about whether the monies appropriated by the CPC <br />could be reimbursed to the Town upon sale of condominium units. Members <br />also discussed the benefits of the project, noting that there was a public <br />benefit to the historic restoration of the windows. The CPC had reservations <br />about the issue of affordability, however, since none of the units due to have <br />replacement windows qualify as affordable. The units are controlled by a 5% <br />appreciation cap per year and Ms. McGuire noted that some unit owners are in <br />the low to moderate income level. None of the units are formally included in <br />Lexington’s affordable housing stock, however. Ms. Manz pointed out that <br />this project, while legally eligible, may be politically problematic. <br /> <br />Ms. McGuire addressed the issue of repairing existing windows compared to <br />using new windows by Andersen. She stated that repairing the windows had <br />been ruled out due to difficulty with the interior storm windows, and lack of <br />energy efficiency. Mr. Kanter said he felt this was a decision based upon <br />preference and functionality of the window, not cost, and that the cost of <br />repairing the windows had not been fully considered in the analysis for the <br />CPA application. <br /> 2 <br /> <br />