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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-22-HPB-min t1891 ' Lexington Rowing Partnership Boar' Meeting Minutes for April 22,2021 Attendees: Bob Burbidge, Harriet Cohen,Jeri Foutter, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Robert Peters, Bob Pressman, Mark Sandeen, Melanie Thompson, Melinda Walker, Betsey Weiss,John Zhao Absent: Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti, Mary Haskell Guests: The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:02. 2. Affordable Housing Trust Letter Ms. Foutter said that she, Ms. Weiss, and Ms. Cohen had updated the AHT letter based on input from the group. She thanked those who shared their comments.The letter will be sent to the Select Board. Ms. Cohen will send the updated letter to the HPB members. 3. Meeting with Planning Department about Housing Resources on Town Website Ms. Foutter is arranging a meeting with the Planning Department regarding the addition of more comprehensive information on affordable housing to the Lexington Town website. Separately,the Housing Working Group also identified that more information about housing should be posted to the website. Ms. Hai is a participant in the Housing Working Group. Ms. Walker will reach out to Ms. Hai to ensure that the Housing Working Group and the HPB work in a coordinated fashion with the Town. The HPB discussed approaches to updating and maintaining housing information on the Town website, ensuring that the Town has the resources to do this work. 4. Board Member Updates ■ Planning Board Mr. Peters reported that, over the coming weeks and months, the Planning Board will be working on the completion of the Comprehensive Plan, revision of the Housing Production Plan, and the transportation overlay district plan. ■ LexHAB Mr. Burbidge said that LexHAB is in the process of securing the services of an Executive Director. ■ Lexington Housing Authority Ms. Walker had no updates regarding the Lexington Housing Authority. ■ Council on Aging Mr. Zhao reported that the COA has been working on a senior parking program.The COA voted to send a proposal regarding senior parking to the Select Board.The proposal calls for parking stickers for seniors 65 and over.This would provide free parking for seniors. :: :: Lexington Housing Partnership Boar' Many neighboring towns have long since implemented similar programs. ■ SPRD Committee Mr. Pressman attended the most recent SPRD meeting. Ms. Loomis provided an excellent presentation regarding the work of the SPRD committee to date. She is working on a draft bylaw with which to move forward. She and her staff will combine the best elements of the work by consultant Ted Brovitz and by Charles Hornig in the bylaw. The SPRD bylaw would provide a density bonus with a goal of more affordable units and with smaller units that would be accessible to families in the 80%to 150%of AMI units. These units would be suitable for workforce housing. Ms. Loomis showed projects from other Towns that were consistent with SPRD recommendations. Ms. Loomis will be updating her slides with suggestions from the SPRD Committee. 5. Approve Prior Minutes Ms. Foutter suggested two minor changes. Mr. Pressman moved acceptance of the minutes of March 23, 2021 with the minor changes and Mr. Linton seconded the motion.The motion was approved unanimously. 6. New Business Mr. Sandeen offered his thanks for the presentation at the prior meeting by Pamela Hallett of the Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA).The meeting was very informative and exciting. He would like to hear more about what the HCA is doing and what is possible in Lexington. Mr. Sandeen also suggested having the Select Board take a field trip to one or more of the HCA housing developments. Ms. Foutter said she will investigate having someone from the DHCD speak to the HPB about the various development organizations, perhaps arranging a panel discussion with Carol Kowalski. 7. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be on May 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm. 8. Adjournment Ms. Cohen moved adjournment, Ms. Weiss seconded the motion.The motion was approved unanimously.The meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.