HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-23-SPRD-min E ;ECE I 'El
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SPECIAL PERMIT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT MEETING MINUTES LEXIING10 hi INA
September 23, 2021
Call to Order: A public hearing of the SPRD was held remotely through Zoom. The meeting
convened at 8:33am
Members in Attendance: Jill Hai, Chair; Charles Hornig; Scott Cooper; Heather Hartshorn;
Joyce Murphy, Betsy Weiss, Richard Perry, Taylor Singh
Staff in Attendance: Carol Kowalski; Amanda Loomis
AGENDA ITEM
Discussion of draft by law
DOCUMENT(S):
Word Document Presentation
PowerPoint Presentation; Amanda Loomis
SUMMARY:
Ms, Jill Hai states that the goal of today is create a proposal that can be brought to the
community, seek input, and then create a bylaw to bring to Town Meeting. Ms. Jill Hai recaps
work that has been done in the past. The Committee reviewed questions that they want to
answer at today's meeting. Amanda Loomis presents ideas about site sensitive development and
an alternate site sensitive development.
MEMBER COMMENTS:
Heather Hartshorn feels like this has skimmed over what is "affordable" and how it is maintained
and also what is the size of the units.
Mr. Hornig likes the fact that these are alternatives and different than what the Planning Board is
doing. It is important to test this in the development community because a concern is the
financially viable.
Mr. Scott Cooper would like clarification of the term "Alternate SSD"- Ms. Jill Hair states they
didn't want to get hung up on the name but that information will come soon. Mr. Scott Cooper
also believes the 50% requirement for affordable housing seems high.
Ms. Joyce Murphy ran numbers with examples. She doesn't see where the proceeds are for the
developer. She doesn't believe the numbers are going to be an incentive for builders.
Ms. Betsy Weiss agrees that is has to be feasible, and if nots not then it won't be done. She also
wants to discuss the difference between affordable and moderate and thinks they need both.
Mr. Richard Perry agrees there is no incentives for developers with these numbers.
Ms. Jill Hai believes they are on the right path and asks for confirmation.
Ms. Taylor Singh does not feel like they are on the right track. The SPRDs in their current form
will continue.
Ms. Joyce Murphy needs to have an incentive for one floor living instead of vertical living.
Mr. Scott Cooper thinks they are going in the right direction. They needs to focus on a third
option to meet the goals of the Committee. He thinks they have done a good job separating
themselves through the OSRD. He notes the minimum size of 600 units seems low.
Ms. Jill Hai recommends they take the unit size out and put there will eventually be a minimum.
She points out that there has been a consensus on wanting moderate and affordable housing and
the Committee agreed. Ms Jill Hai needs to point out that they need to get broader feedback
from the public. The next packet will include numbers and what that translates to the
expectation of buying power. She also wants to include a maximum time frame into the
proposal. The Committee agreed minus Ms. Taylor Singh making the point that the permit will
be automatically granted if they didn't meet the time frame requirements.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Bill Benjes- 4 Summit Road-Wants to clarify why a"by right" plan still needs a vote.
Agrees the Town needs more diverse housing but would like all this to happen in the right part of
the town. An incentive needs to be given to developers to do this in the part of town that makes
the most sense and relaying that information to the community.
AGENDA ITEM
Approve Meeting Minutes
All in favor to approve meeting minutes
ADJOURN (10:03)with confirmation of next meeting being on October 19, 2021.