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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-16-SPRD-min Special Permit Residential Development(SPRD) Meeting Minutes of March 16,2021 Special Permit Residential Development(SPRD)Ad-hoc Committee Members present for the Public Meeting:Jill Hai, Chair;Joyce Murphy;Wendy Manz; Scott Cooper;Taylor Carroll Singh; Matt Daggett; Heather Hartshorn Lexington Staff present for the Public Meeting: Carol Kowalski,Assistant Town Manager for Development; and Sheila Page,Assistant Planning Director Jill Hai, Chair of the Special Permit Residential Development(SPRD)Ad-hoc Committee, called the meeting to order and read the Executive Order of March 12, 2020, allowing the meeting to meet remotely. 1. Presentation and Review of Alternatives to current Section 6.9 and Review of Potential Development Alternatives Jill Hai, Chair, provided an overview of various housekeeping items relative to the Special Permit Residential Development(SPRD) Consultant and funding, recent legislation relative to the housing, and a review of Charles Hornig's draft bylaw. Matt Daggett requested clarification regarding a status of the potential workshop and other applicable work efforts associated with housing (elimination of the proof plan). Carol Kowalski provided a brief review of an analysis of past housing projects that were approved.Taylor Singh provides insight into the need for public workshops and the lack of having time to review documents provided by the SPRD Consultant. Ms. Hai requested a presentation from Mr. Hornig. Mr. Hornig presented a PowerPoint presentation entitled Open Space Residential Development.The presentation included an overview of existing conditions,the Commonwealth's guidance on an Open Space Residential Development(OSRD) bylaw, comparison of the proposed OSRD and the existing SPRD. Mr. Hornig stated that the proposal is not an either-or but rather an add-on with the SPRD. Mr. Hornig provided an example for the property at Fairland Estates. Ms. Hai opened the floor for SPRD Ad-hoc Committee comments. • Ms. Hai requested clarification regarding the affordability component of the proposal. • Betsy Weiss provided feedback relative to fifty(50) percent Area Median Income (AMI) vs. eight(80) percent, in addition to workforce housing limits at one-hundred and twenty(120)vs. one-hundred and fifty(150) percent. • Mr. Daggett stated concern regarding the format of the proposed OSRD, in addition to a review of concerns for various options previously presented. • Ms. Kowalski provided a brief follow-up on the comments made by the SPRD Ad-hoc Committee. • Scott Cooper provided support for the OSRD proposal for its simplicity. Mr. Cooper requested clarification that the OSRD would run in tandem with the existing SPRD Bylaw. • Ms. Singh provided concerns relative to the format of the OSRD Bylaw, in addition to the number of units presented by Ted Brovitz and Charles Hornig Fairland projects. It was 1 noted that the proposed OSRD does a good job of adding affordable units but dramatically increasing a project's density. Ms. Singh requested the use of Grove Street rather than Fairland for an analysis. • Ms. Hai provided a review of recent efforts and steps moving forward. • Joyce Murphy requested comparison as to how this would work on an acre lot. Ms. Murphy further requested how this would have affected the Hancock Street project. • Mr. Hornig provided follow-up on the requests for comparison and clarification. • Ms. Hai requested that staff run through the OSRD proposal and several options presented by Mr. Brovitz, specifically for Grove Street, a one-acre lot, etc. Ms. Hai reviewed a running list of notes for collective goals. Increase affordability production, increase the diversity of housing options, increase the clarity of process, protect open space, and guidelines for sustainability. Ms. Hai questioned if anyone had any additions. If so to email them to her. 2. Outreach planning and scheduling Ms. Hai reviewed a meeting schedule and tentative agenda items for the April 20, 2021 meeting. 3. Approval of Minutes Jill Hai, Chair, requested comments from the Special Permit Residential Ad-hoc Committee for the minutes of June 26, 2020, and July 21, 2020 • Joyce Murphy provided amendments to one set of the minutes. Betsy Weiss moved that the Special Permit Residential Development Ad-hoc Committee approve the meeting minutes of July 21,2020. Scott Cooper seconded the motion. The Special Permit Residential Ad-hoc Committee voted in favor of the motion 7-0-1 (Roll Call;Scott Copper, yes;Matt Daggett—yes;Heather Hartshorn—yes;Charles Hornig—abstain;Joyce Murphy—yes;Taylor Singh—yes;Betsy Weiss—yes;Jill Hai—yes). MOTION PASSED 4. Any other urgent business that may properly come before the Committee that the Chair could not foresee Matt Daggett requested a comparative analysis before the next meeting and requested clarification on which properties would be part of the analysis.Jill Hai, Chair, stated that she would meet with staff to confirm the list of properties. Scott Cooper moved to adjourn the Special Permit Residential Development Ad-hoc Committee meeting of March 16,2021. Matt Daggett seconded the motion. The Special Permit Residential Ad-hoc Committee voted in favor of the motion 8-0-0(Roll Call:Scott Cooper—yes; Matt Daggett—yes;Heather Hartshorn—yes;Charles Hornig—yes;Joyce Murphy—yes;Taylor Singh—yes;Betsy Weiss—yes;Jill Hai—yes). MOTION PASSED 2