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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-13-LEXHAB-minLexHAB Minutes of Meeting on Sept. 13, 2012 The meeting was called to order at 7:12 A.M. The entire Board was present plus one visitor. The Chairman presided. 1. Minutes It was noted that the vote of the Selectmen on the Busa site covered not only the Lowell Street frontage to be committed to affordable housing but also the number of units allowed (4 units). Therefore, the first paragraph of Section 1 of the minutes for the Iast meeting needs to reflect both parts of the vote. It was determined to strike everything after the word "frontage" and to add a new sentence as follows: "The vote reflected the above ". Otherwise, the minutes were approved as presented. 2. Phillip Road Dave Eagle reported that the house was left in poor condition by the outgoing tenant; much more was required than the customary repainting of the interior. In addition, a branch fell on the roof during a recent storm. However, all of the major work has been completed. The house will be ready for occupancy by October first and probably a week to ten days before. 3. Busa harm Lester reported on his conversation with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Les expressed LexHAB's disappointment over the Board's lack of support for the S unit proposal and resulting shift to a maximum of half that number. Les indicated that LexHAB still favors the use of the 2 unit buildings contained in our proposal as these structures are narrow with less bulk that the larger structure (s) recommended by Carl Oldenberg. The narrow buildings will reduce significantly the blocking of neighborhood and visitor sight lines. Lester said that the Selectman invited LexHAB to present a plan for 5 units if it wishes to do so; the Board could always change its mind as to the maximum number of units and simply amend its prior vote. It was the concensus that we should do just that and that to this end, Carter should be asked to do a new layout for 6 units. Les closed his remarks by noting that he and Carter had met with Carl Oldenberg. Carter pointed out to Carl the difficulties to be anticipated in building the large structure proposed by Carl but that, on the other hand, Carl's parking plan is an improvement over ours. It was left that Les will ask Carter to prepare the new layout for six units and that as soon as it is in hand, he and Carter will meet again with Carl and see if Carl will support it, in which event we should be in position to ask for a meeting with the Selectmen. 4. Fairview Bob Burbidge reported on the meeting with neighbors held last evening at his home nearby. Bob indicated that he had met individually with many of those in attendance and that the tum -out was in his judgment representative of the neighbors as a whole. Bill. Hays presented a summary of the reasons advanced at the meeting for a smaller project_. Bob Pressman summarized LexHAB's presentation It was the concensus (though no vote was taken) that given the concerns expressed by the neighborhood to our proposal, we should respond by downsizing the project to 3 new units in one new building. It was noted that the result would be: - One of the two new buildings would be eliminated - The DHCD 140b requirement that 25% of the units in a project must meet the stricter guidelines for tenant selection would now be exactly met. efficiency housing We will get to construct on the site at least one building with high energy The project, though smaller, advances the Town's commitment to affordable - We will have listened to the neighbors and responded to their concerns Bob indicated that another meeting with the neighbors is needed, to be arranged as soon as Carter completes the new layout. 5. Other Business None 6. Next Meeting October 18, 2012 at 4 Militia Drive at 7 A.M. 7. Executive Session The Chairman then proposed that the Board go into Executive Session to consider tenant / lease issues without return to open session, declaring that consideration of same in open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of a public body, namely: LexBAB. The members of the Board were then individually polled; each member voted in favor of the Chairman's proposal. The time was8 17 A. M. Respectfully submitted William C. Hays, Secretary pro tern