2022-07-14-HPB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Meeting Minutes for July 14, 2022 Attendees: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison), Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Jeri Foutter (Chair), Mary Haskell, Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Maureen Rynn (LHA liaison), Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss, John Zhao (COA) Guests: Abby McCabe (Town Planning Director), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB Executive Director) Absent: Bob Burbidge (LexHAB liaison), Joe Pato (Select Board liaison) The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Foutter called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and the roll was called. 2. MBTA Communities Action Plan Ms. McCabe provided an overview of the zoning provisions of the “MBTA Communities” act. In December 2021, the DHCD released draft guidelines to determine compliance with the act. The act was passed to help address the housing shortage within the Commonwealth, with a goal of producing more housing near transportation. Zoning to comply with the act must be adopted by December 31, 2023. Informational sessions will be held from the fall into the winter. The Town’s obligation is to provide zoning that meets the requirements of the Act. The Town has no obligation to create the housing. There is no requirement for provision in the zoning for affordable housing, though the zoning may contain a requirement for affordable housing. The HPB is in favor of adding an affordable housing component to the zoning to implement the MBTA Communities act. 3. Land Acquisition Subcommittee Ms. Weiss reported that the proposal is in progress. Ms. Weiss sent the draft to Ms. Kowalski who provided her feedback. Ms. Weiss is updating the draft to reflect the comments. 4. Affordable Housing Resources Subcommittee Ms. Manz reported that Mr. Malloy and Ms. Kowalski will be available at the end of the month. The subcommittee has a tentative date for meeting with Mr. Malloy and Ms. Kowalski to request the appointment of a housing officer. 5. HPB Charge & Membership Subcommittee Ms. Cohen reported that the subcommittee has agreed on the proposed changes to the charge other than a definition of affordable housing. Ms. Cohen will propose a new meeting date to resolve the issue after the HPB has clarity as to whether the state legislature extends the timeframe for remote meetings and, if not, the impact to the HPB of required in-person meetings. 6. Board Member Updates Planning Board: Mr. Hornig: the Planning Board had the first walkthrough of the draft Housing Section of the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Board will be updating the draft based on the