2010-10-13-LEARY-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Meeting Notes AD HOC LEARY PROPERTY COMMUNITY HOUSING TASK FORCE October 13, 2010, 8:30 a.m. Room 207, Town Office Building Present: Bob Bicknell, MarilynFenollosa, Stephen Keane, Aaron Henry, Wendy Manz, Maryann McCall-Taylor, Lester Savage, and Betsey Weiss Ross Speer of Davis Square Architects and Steve LaFerriere of Metro West Development Collaborative Absent: George Burnell, Bill Hays, Deb Mauger Housekeeping Minutes of October 4, 2010 approved as amended  Concept Plan Ross Speer provided a sketch of the property showing three buildings with a total of 7 to 9 units. He had developed three possible scenarios - a six-unit barn scheme, an 8-unit barn and townhouse scheme, and a 4-unit minimum scheme. The barn concept includes a three story structure for massing. The sketch was sent to Landmark Structure Corporation for costing. Handicapped accessible units would be required at 4 or more units based on fair housing laws, and at 5 or more units when using federal money. There was discussion of what kinds of units are needed. LexHAB sees a need for one- and two-bedroom units, the Housing Authority has a need for two-bedrooms and Avalon at Lexington Ridge reports a long wait list for three-bedroom units at 50% area median income (AMI) affordability. Funding chances are better for two- and three- bedroom units as the state is emphasizing work force housing and single room occupancy. The state is discouraging senior housing. Development Process Steve LaFerriere from Metro West Development Collaborative (MWDC) said it was an entity to just do development. He said an RFP (Request for Proposals) could be done at different stages, but it could be put out to cover everything from concept to construction, including funding and a project team to carry it out. Most rental projects have a permanent mortgage and subsidies. DHCD has two funding rounds a year, around September and March. Usually the first application is rejected, so that should be factored in. He estimated that the total cost for 9 units would be about $2.5 million and $1.7 million for five units. Usually the mortgage is maximized to the extent possible given that reduced rentals that are used to support it. Developers usually keep and manage the property and take a mortgage, but this may not be necessary with the involvement of LexHAB or the Housing Authority.