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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-25-HPB-min Meeting Minutes for April 25, 2023 Attendees: Harriet Cohen (clerk), Jeri Foutter (chair), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (vice-chair), John Zhao (COA representative) Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB liaison), Joe Pato (Select Board Liaison) Guests: 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 Ms. Foutter called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. The roll was called. 2. Article #33-SPRD Zoning Bylaw Update Ms. Manz reported that Article #33 passed Town Meeting by a comfortable majority. 3. Article #34 – Multi-Family Zoning Housing for MBTA Communities Amendment Update Mr. Hornig reported that article 34 passed. Ms. Manz recognized the very hard work by the Planning Board on this article. Ms. Foutter also thanked Ms. Weiss, Ms. Manz, and Mr. Hornig for their work as members of the HPB and to Mr. Hornig and Ms. Thompson for their extraordinary work as Planning Board members on Article #34. Mr. Linton said that he had heard that there was some interest in filing a petition for a referendum on Article #34. The deadline for filing a petition is about 10 days from now. If there is a referendum, the HPB will work to support Article #34. 4. Thank HPB Members for Coming to TM to Vote on Revised Amendments Thank you to everyone who participated in the caucuses at Town Meeting, so that the HPB could speak in favor of Articles #33 and #34 at Town Meeting. 5. Discussion of the Possibility of Taking a Position on Notice of Reconsideration for Article #34 Ms. Weiss moved that the HPB vote to oppose any motion to reconsider Article #34. Ms. Manz seconded the motion. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss, John Zhao Against: none Abstaining: Bob Pressman Prior to the motion and second, Mr. Hornig stated that no request for reconsideration had been submitted by the time of the deadline established by Town Meeting Moderator Deborah Brown 6. Approve Meeting Minutes The minutes of March 16 need to be amended and will be submitted for approval at the next HPB meeting. Ms. Weiss moved approval of the minutes of March 21 and April 7. Ms. Cohen seconded the motion. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss Against: none Abstaining: John Zhao 7. Chair Transition Ms. Foutter will be resigning from the HPB as of the end of September. She asked if any Board members would be interested in serving as chair. Ms. Manz indicated her interest in the position. Ms. Cohen moved that Wendy Manz assume the role of chair upon Ms. Foutter’s departure from the HPB. Ms. Weiss seconded the motion. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss, John Zhao Against: none Abstaining: none There are several open positions on the HPB. The HPB will work to find candidates to fill them. Mr. Zhao said that the COA Board has several openings. If another member of the COA wishes to represent the COA at the HPB, Mr. Zhao will step aside. 8. Board Member / Liaisons Updates Community Preservation Commission: Mr. Pressman: all of the CPC articles were approved by Town Meeting except for funding Article #10 part m, Transforming Trees into Art, Birds of New England. Mr. Pressman pointed out that next year could be a challenging one for the CPC as applications for substantial amounts of funding are expected for the rehab project at the library, the Stone Building Renovation, and possibly for rebuilding athletic fields impacted by the high project. There is also likely to be a substantial request for housing from the Affordable Housing Trust and from LexHAB, possibly also from the Town. Mr. Pressman note that, to date, the CPC has approved $14M for housing and over $42M for historic preservation (and over $50M if the Stone Building funding is approved). Planning Board: Mr. Hornig said that Planning Board articles have been completed at Town Meeting. The Planning Board will be identifying items to be addressed in the coming year, including regulations for the articles that passed Town Meeting. The PB will be working on regulations for implementation of Article 34. LexHAB: There was no update for LexHAB. LHA: Ms. Rynn has stepped down as member of the Housing Partnership Board. COA: Mr. Zhao said there was no update for the COA. SLC: There was no update for the SLC. 9. New Business The rents for 186 Bedford Street are greater than those that would be affordable by families at less than 80% of AMI. No other new business. 10. Next Meeting Date The next meeting date is May 24 at 7:00 pm. 11. Adjournment Ms. Weiss moved adjournment. Ms. Cohen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss, John Zhao Against: none Abstaining: none The meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm.