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LEARY PROPERTY COMMUNITY HOUSING TASK FORCE Room G -15, Town Office Building Meeting Minutes of March 30, 2011 Present: George Burnell, Stephen Keane, Bill Kennedy, Wendy Manz, Deb Mauger, Lester Savage, and Betsey Weiss. Staff: Aaron Henry Discussion of March 17th Community Meeting Chairman Lester Savage opened the discussion with a brief recap of the community meeting for the few members who were not present, highlighting the negative reaction to the proposed number of units, which was 6 to 8. Mr. Burnell voiced concerns regarding the proposed RFI. Mr. Kennedy explained that the RFI would not necessary if the number of units is lowered, as it would not be likely to result in meaningful responses. He also reminded the group that the number of units was the principle issue upsetting the neighbors. Ms. Weiss explained that the number of units was based in large part on the cost of the land. She also expressed concern that the 2007 Inclusionary Zoning proposal was not adopted, in part, because Town Meeting Members said at that Town Meeting session that CPA funds were thought to be a more appropriate method of producing affordable housing, but that now that CPA funds which purchased the Leary property and were going to be used for a substantial portion of the project, there is now resistance to density. She also understood the neighbors' concerns and the importance of being sensitive to the neighborhood. She said that the project design is very important and must be aesthetically pleasing. She hoped that a design would look like a "one family" farmhouse, ell, and barn structure but would actually have up to 6 units in the entire structure .Ms. Manz felt that lots of factors played into the reaction from the neighborhood, and that while the lot may handle more units than the abutters feel appropriate, the Task Force has to figure out what the right number actually is. Ms. Manz expressed her feeling that 6 may be possible, if the Task Force continues to work with the abutters. Steve Keane felt that the Task Force should continue to work with the neighbors before going back to the Selectmen. To help color the conversation on the number of units and density, Mr. Henry introduced information on community growth and how it influences the planning of affordable housing because of the Chapter 40B mandate.