2005-09-15-HPB.min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Housing Partnership Meeting Minutes for September 15, 2005 Attendees: Bob Bicknell Tom Harden Florence Baturin Mary Haskell Inky MacDougall Betsey Weiss Ken Kreutziger Paul Linton Martha Wood Jeri Foutter Maryann McCall-Taylor Bob Bicknell chaired the meeting. Jeri Foutter took the minutes. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm. Minutes Minutes from July 2005 were approved unanimous ly Supportive Living, Inc. (SLI) Attorney Rachel Dorr, Board Member and Clerk for SLI, gave a presentation about the proposed project on the Lexington Press property (Bob Sacco) located on Oakland Street. The parents of survivors of brain injury and permanent damage originally started SLI, and SLI has built and currently manages two properties, one in N. Reading and one in Woburn. There are currently over 150 people on their waiting list for residential units, and Rachel Dorr indicated that some Lexington residents currently on the waiting list could be moved up. The N. Reading property has 8 residential units and the Woburn property has 15 residential units, both are apartment style homes. The proposal for Lexington calls for 15 units, and hopefully, HUD will fund 9 units under the 811 Program. There will be a total of 11 units that will count toward low-income rental housing; with 2 units available to residents with incomes below 50% AMI and 4 units will be market rate. The Lexington Press location would be ideal for the residents with shopping and other conveniences within walking distance. SLI has met with the Town Committee on the sidewalks and access from Depot Square for van pick-up and drop-off. Some abutters have voiced their concerns about the increase in traffic with regards to the residents’ visitors and van usage. SLI has decided to upgrade the back of the property, build safe access and steps to/from the Municipal Parking Lot for use in the van trips to and from doctors appointments, physical therapy appointments, etc. SLI plans to stay within the original footprint of the Lexington Press buildings. The Land Use or Zoning is deemed Educational use (life skills training), and due to Section 3 of Massachusetts Legislation Act, no special permit needed with reasonable dimensional requirements, such as required setbacks. Per Rachel Dorr, no Town Meeting vote is required. The land was purchased for $1.7 million, through a loan with Brookline Bank. SLI has started a capital campaign and has raised $700,000, so far. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $6 million. Four or five state programs will be used for funding, and HOME is one of these programs. ?? The LHP moved and confirmed a recommendation to the Planning staff, for pursuit with the Town that funds from FY86 HOME funds be used to support the SLI project.