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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-02-HPB-min RECEIVED 2022 011 If ollb,5'06 ppum tft Lexington Housing Partnership Board .OWN CLERKIii I[EMNGTON MA Meeting Minutes for December 2,2021 Attendees: Bob Burbidge, Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Paul Linton, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss Absent:Joe Pato, Bob Peters,John Zhao Guests: Charles Hornig, Margaret Heitz 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 The Housing Partnership Board meetings were called to order at 7:03 pm. Attendance was taken. 2. Affordable Housing Trust Study Committee The Select Board tabled the discussion of the AHT Study Committee because of more pressing issues.The discussion is now scheduled at the Select Board meeting on Dec. 6. 3. Affordable Housing Town Position/Officer Ms. Weiss stated that a former planning board director had requested that the position of Affordable Housing Officer be created and filled.The town manager at the time did not see a need for this position. Given the various Town initiatives regarding an affordable housing officer, Ms. Weiss suggested that the HPB advocate for this position. Mr. Pressman said that one approach would be to ask for time on the Select Board agenda regarding this position.We would need to develop a job description. Ms. Foutter said that she would reach out to Mr. Malloy to ask for the appropriate procedure for requesting a new position within Town government. The HPB will do further research as to whether other towns have an Affordable Housing Officer and, if so, what duties are assigned. A sub-committee was formed to flesh out this proposal and to report back to the HPB. 4. Mixed Use District Overlays Amanda Loomis, as Planning Director, had identified eight possible 40R overlay districts. Ms. Loomis has resigned as the Planning Director and work on 40R overlay districts has been slowed by the absence of a Planning Director. Ms. Foutter suggested tabling the discussion as it seems to be premature to move forward at this time. 5. Land Acquisition Resolution Ms. Weiss pointed out that no Town-purchased land has been allocated to affordable housing since 2009.The goal is not to allocate all of a land purchase to affordable housing, but to carve off some part of Town-purchased land for housing.The current process for acquiring land is opaque and affordable housing does not have a voice during the purchase discussions. tft Lexington Housing Partnership Board Given this, Ms. Weiss is proposing a resolution that would give each of the four Community Preservation Committee (CPC) stakeholders a seat at the table during the early stages of land purchase discussion. Ms. Weiss moved that the HPB support having an affordable housing representative at Town land acquisition discussions. Ms. Haskell seconded.The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Linton, Ms.Weiss, Ms. Foutter, and Ms. Cohen will form a sub-committee do further work on this issue and report back to the HPB. 6. Marblehead Affordable Housing Trust Meeting The town of Marblehead contacted Ms. Foutter to ask about Lexington's experience in providing funds for an Affordable Housing Trust. Ms. Foutter, Ms. Weiss, Ms. Cohen, and Ms. Carol Kowalski met with members of the Marblehead AHT.We advised the Marblehead AHT as to our current status and discussed various ideas for funding. 7. OSRD(Open Space Residential Development) The OSRD bylaw warrant article lost by 3 votes at Town Meeting. Ms. Foutter recognized the efforts by Mr. Horning and the Planning Board on behalf of OSRD. 8. Board Member Updates Planning Board: Ms.Thompson reported that, at the last meeting, the Planning Board had discussed their next projects. Work on affordable housing-related efforts was high on the list. Mr. Hornig added that the transit-oriented redevelopment is intended include mixed use housing. The Planning Board work has been slowed by the lack of a Planning Director. Ms.Thompson and Mr. Hornig also updated the HPB on the status of the 12 Summit Avenue project, which has a goal of preserving the current house while providing multiple units, including an affordable unit. The SPRD committee meeting with the Planning Board was postponed because there were too many other items on the Planning Board agenda.The SPRD committee will attempt to make progress in the absence of a Planning Director but will not be able to have a warrant ready for Spring Town Meeting. LexHAB: LexHAB's focus is on the 6 units to be developed at Vine Street.The current price estimate to build the units is slightly less than $900,000 per unit. LexHAB has undertaken an effort to identify which of the 78 properties managed by LexHAB need substantial upgrade. LexHAB is beginning the Lexington Legacy campaign.The idea is to raise awareness of LexHAB and to encourage residents to consider LexHAB as part of an estate plan. Residents may prefer to have their house be used as affordable housing rather than be torn down to make way for a McMansion.There may also be tax benefits to deeding their house to LexHAB. The LexHAB board is hopeful they have found a person to fill the Executive Director position. There is a final interview with the candidate tomorrow. tft Lexington Housing Paitnership Board 9. Approve Meeting Minutes for November 4,2021 Mr. Linton moved approval of the minutes and Ms. Weiss seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously with Ms. Haskell abstaining. 10. New Business Ms. Weiss encouraged members of the HPB to run for town meeting—affordable housing advocates needed! Ms. Cohen encouraged members of the HPB to read the Arlington Draft Housing Plan. It's a very long plan. If you have limited time, please focus on the strategy section. 11. Set Next Meeting January 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm. 12. Adjournment Ms. Weiss moved adjournment of the meeting. Ms. Linton seconded the motion.The motion was approved unanimously.The meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm.