2004-12-16-HPB.min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Housing Partnership Meeting Minutes for December 16, 2004 LHP Members Present: Florence Baturin Jeri Fouter Ken Kreutziger Iris Wheaton Bob Bicknell Anne Frymer Paul Linton Bill Carlson (Alt.) Betsy Weiss Tom Harden Inky MacDougall Dick Wolk Harriet Cohen Mary Haskell Winifred McGowan Guest Attendees : Joe Marino (Homes Development Corp.), John Esserian (Homes Development Corp.), Marilyn Fenollosa (Lexington Historical Commission), Peter Kelley (Selectman), Eric Shapiro (Battle Green Inn) and others representing Homes Development Corp. and the Battle Green Inn. Bob Bicknell chaired the meeting; Harriet Cohen took the minutes. The meeting was called to order at 7:09 pm. 1. Open Meeting – Introductions Mr. Bicknell urged the Partnership members to focus their comments on affordable housing during the presentations by Eric Shapiro, owner of the Battle Green Inn and Joe Marino of Homes Development Corp. 2. Presentation by Eric Shapiro – Battle Green Condo Project (“Terrace Gardens”) Mr. Shapiro spoke on his plans to convert the Battle Green Inn to a mixed use (retail and residential) facility. The plans call for 35 units with 3 affordable units. Neither Mr. Shapiro nor the architects were willing to give an estimate as to the price of either the market rate units or the affordable units. The questions indicated some concern on the part of the Partnership with a less than 10% ratio of affordable housing, especially if the project is referred to as “Smart Growth”. nd The project Pro-Forma will be reviewed with the planning staff on December 22 and this will provide the town with the opportunity to encourage the inclusion of more affordable units as well as affordable retail space. 3. Presentation by Homes Development Corp – LIP Proposal for Piper Road Homes Development Corp. is proposing a development on a 1.3 acre parcel of land surrounded by Piper Road, Waltham Street, and Route 2. The property consists of 2 separate parcels, both of which have been purchased by Homes Development Corp. Homes Development Corp. is proposing 8 condominium units in 3 buildings. Each unit is about 2,000 square feet. 25% or 2 units are affordable, per the comprehensive permit program. The expected sale price is $625,000 to $650,000 per unit for the market rate units and $209,000 and $242,000 for the affordable units. It was suggested that consideration be given to proposing inclusion of accessory apartment units to provide more affordable units as well as reduce mortgage costs for the market rate units. Both these projects raise the question of controlling condo fees and deed restrictions for the affordable sale units. 4. New Business Mr. Bicknell brought forward a proposal to discuss promotion of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) and sponsorship of related Warrant Articles for the 2005 Town Meeting. A study of towns participating in the CPA to this point indicates that all have gotten a 100% match from the state, and this 100% match is expected to continue – provided the state government decides not to poach the fund for non-CPA uses. If that does happen, the 100% match will be less likely.