HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-25-HPB-minLexington Housing Partnership
Lexington Housing Partnership Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 25, 2014
Ellen Stone Room, Cary Hall
1605 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, Massachusetts
ATTENDEES
Jeri Foutter, Tom Harden, Mary Haskell, Wc andy Marv, Joe Pato, Bob Pressman, Steve LaFerriere (Metro
West Collaborative Development), Melinda Walker & Betsey Weiss.
Betsey Weiss chaired the meeting and Melinda Walker took notes.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes of January 23, 2014 Meeting
Melinda Walker moved to approve minutes. Mary Haskell seconded the motion. Motion approved
unanimously.
2. LHP Support Letter for BUSA Property
Mary Haskell offered a new version of the letter intended for the BoS in support of six (6) units of housing
on the BUSA property. There was an animated discussion of the merits of the various versions of the
letter. There were concerns expressed about the length of the letter and how much chronological detail
was necessary. Following the discussion, Mary Haskell offered a motion to accept Mary Haskell's version
of the letter. Melinda Walker seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
3. LexHAB CPC Request
Bob Pressman reported that the chair of the Community Preservation Committee had asked
LexHAB to provide additional detailed information about how the components of the project at
BUSA would add up to $1,250,000.00. After LexHAB provided the additional documentation, the
chair changed her vote to 'Yes,' giving LexHAB unanimous support from the Community
Preservation Committee.
[Note: At this point, Wendy Manz reported some good news for the partnership: the Capital
Expenditures Committee wants to develop a five year plan for affordable housing. She also
reported that there is support from the CEC for the LexHAB request for $750,000.00 for
development on the BUSA property. Wendy reviewed the some of the upcoming capital
projects (including $900,000 for the town wide pool and $2,400,000 for the center field track)
which will be competing for funding in the coming years.]
Lexington Housing Partnership
Bob Pressman mentioned that Rob Addelson has been working on revenue projections for CPC.
These projections may indicate a shortfall in funds for community housing.
4. Housing Authority CPC Request
The Lexington Housing Authority's request for $300,551.00 for improvements at Vynebrooke
Village was approved unanimously.
5. Dodson Parcel Update
There are no new updates on the 'Phase One' properties on the parcel list. There was a
discussion about the suitability of the properties on 'Phase Two' list. Phase Two includes 69
Pleasant Street, the Elks property,_167 Cedar Street, the Staecker property, and the Tropeano
property on Larchmont Lane. Steve LaFerriere described strategies Metrowest uses for
approaching property owners. Bob Pressman described some properties around town that may
be cited for demolition by neglect including some houses on Massachusetts Avenue and Marrett
Road. In the case of these properties Steve said there might a problem of the suitability for
multi - family units.
There was a discussion of the use of zoning mechanisms for the development of affordable
housing. Wendy Manz cited "Incentive Zoning," whereby a 7200 square foot parcel could yield
seven (7) units. Such a subdivision would provide a public benefit by increasing density in
developments. The 'Journey's End' development in Lexington was mentioned as an example of
'Balanced Housing;' the development includes one mansion, three houses and ten townhouses.
With regards to previous discussions about strategies for developing new ideas to help families
secure housing in Lexington, Bob Pressman raised the possibility of using CPA funds for grants
for moderate - income families (less than 100 % of AMI) and lower income families (less than 80%
of AMI). Members discussed this concept; Tom Harden mentioned there are some builders who
will voluntarily build affordable housing.
5. HHP update
Aaron Henry appeared before the Planning Board on January 27 to request approval of the
Housing Production Plan. Betsey Weiss expressed her concerns that some of the edits the
partnership had suggested had not been made to the draft of the plan. Melinda Walker moved
that the partnership give Wendy Manz authority to represent the partnership as she works with
Aaron to submit a more fashioned introduction. Tom Harden seconded the motion.
Ayes: Jeri Foutter, Tom Harden, Wendy Manz, Melinda Walker, Betsey Weiss.
Nay: Bob Pressman.
Motion was approved.
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Lexington Housing Partnership
Joe Pato indicated the one page executive summary of the Housing Production Plan will focus on
the need to assure continued compliance with the 40B legislation.
6. New members to contact- Carol Marine
Carol Marine was not present.
7. New Business
There was a discussion about the effect the assisted - living facility will have on the Subsidized
Housing Inventory for Lexington. The answered question is whether the units will alter the
denominator in the schedule. It was thought that Jay Hicks might have some information on the
nature of the development.
NEXT MEETING
Thursday, March 27, 2014 @ 7:30 pm, Ellen Stone Room, Cary Hall, Lexington.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Melinda Walker
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