Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-24-HPB-min RECEIVED 2022 12 Apir, 135 prn Lexington Housing Partnership Board TOWN CL,ERK Meeting Minutes for February 24,2022 LEXINGTON MA Attendees: Bob Burdidge, Harriet Cohen,Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Wendy Manz,Joe Pato, Robert Peters, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss Absent: none Guests: Cynthia Arens, Stephanie Hsu,Tina McBride 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 Ms. Foutter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the roll was called. 2. Planning Board- Robert Peters-DHCD proposed MBTA Communities regulations Mr. Peters spoke about a new section of chapter 40 A, 3A, requiring all MBTA communities (which includes Lexington) shall have at least 1 zoning district "of reasonable size in which multi- family housing is permitted by right."This reflects the Commonwealth's view that more housing is needed and that additional supply will increase the availability of affordable housing. Lexington is seeking to add an affordability component though there is no specific requirement for this in the legislation. Currently, most multi-family housing requires a special development permit.The goal of the Commonwealth is that there is a faster path to multi-family housing. The state is developing regulations for the implementation of the legislation and the comment period on the regulations is now open. At the March 2 Planning Board meeting, the Planning Board will be taking input as to Lexington's feedback on the regulation.The comments must be sent to the state by the end of March. The Planning Board is beginning the discussion on the implementation of zoning that meets the requirements of the legislation.The Town must be compliant by Dec. 31, 2023. Mr. Peters then responded to questions as to the Planning Board process regarding the regulation. 3. Clean Heat Article 40 Sustainability Incentives for Residential Construction Ms. Arens provided the rational underpinning Article 40 and explained the provisions of the article. Ms. Arens then responded to questions from the HPB. 4. Land Acquisition Subcommittee Ms. Weiss reported that the Select Board approved the HPB proposal for a land acquisition policy.The Subcommittee is now putting plans in place to begin development of the policy. 5. Affordable Housing Resources(formerly Community Housing Specialist)Subcommittee Ms. Foutter reported that the subcommittee members are reaching out to other towns to determine how the Town supports affordable housing. 6. HPB Charge& Membership Ms. Cohen reported that the committee had its first meeting.The subcommittee reviewed the :: :: Lexington Housing Partnership Board current charge and brainstormed ideas regarding updates to the charge.The discussion mostly centered around membership and liaisons. 7. Board Member Updates Planning Board: Mr. Peters reported on Article 35 (OSRD) and Article 36 (multi-family mixed use in the center). He also noted the Town Manager confirmed the appointment of a new planning director.Abby McCabe. Her start date is in about a month. SPRD: Goal is to provide attractive options for builders in Lexington that would lead to the development of more modest housing in Lexington.The goal is to present the options to developers to obtain their feedback.The committee is also working through the details of modifications to Town zoning that would be required to support the new options. The committee will provide an interim report to Spring Town Meeting. The options have an affordable housing component and a sustainable component. LexHAB: LexHAB now has an Executive Director, Sara Morrison. One of her first initiatives is to implement the Lexington legacy program. In this program, a resident's estate plan could have an affordable housing component. Ms. Morrison will be launching a new website for the legacy program. Articles 10K and 10J—one is for$234,000 for restoration; the other is for Vine Street. The SB granted $430,000 in ARPA funds to LexHAB. $315,000 would be for the addition of a home to the affordable housing stock, if one can be found. $115,000 for Vine Street. COA: Mr.Zhao: two board members resigned late last year.The two open positions were posted and there are candidates for the positions.The COA has made their recommendation to the Town Manager and he has made the appointments. Municipal Affordable Housing Trust(MAHT): Ms. Shelly Goehring from the Mass Housing Partnership presented regarding the structuring of MAHTs and resources available to them.The recording of the meeting is available at Lexmedia. 8. New Business Ms. Foutter welcomed Ms. Manz as the newest member of the Housing Partnership Board. 9. Approval of Minutes Mr. Linton moved approval of the minutes of January 27, 2022. Mr. Peters seconded the motion.The minutes were approved unanimously with abstentions by Ms. Haskell and Ms. Manz. 10. Set Next Meeting The next meeting will be on April 7, 2022 at 7:00 pm. 11. Adjournment Ms. Cohen moved adjournment; Ms.Thompson seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously.