Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-29-HPB-min Meeting Minutes for June 29, 2023 Attendees: Harriet Cohen (clerk), Jeri Foutter (chair), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (vice-chair) Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison), Wendy Manz, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), Joe Pato (Select Board Liaison), John Zhao (COA) Guests: Nanette Byrnes, 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 7:01 pm. The roll was called. 2. Update and discussion of Land Acquisition Policy and next steps Ms. Foutter said that Charlie Wyman and Phil Hamilton of the Conservation Committee had asked for a meeting with Ms. Foutter and any other HPB members. The feedback was that the policy was directionally correct, but too complex. We also discussed ways to improve communication. Mr. Wyman and Mr. Hamilton have been invited to join the HPB Interest List. Ms. Weiss drafted a much simpler version of the policy. The HPB reviewed and discussed the policy. Mr. Pressman inquired as to whether the Conservation Commission list of parcels would be made available. Ms. Foutter said that a hard copy had been provided; Ms. Foutter will scan the list and send the list to the HPB membership. Ms. Weiss moved approval the present draft of the land acquisition policy. Ms. Cohen seconded. The motion passed unanimously. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss Against: none Abstaining: none 3. Minutes of May 24, 2023 Ms. Weiss moved acceptance of the May 24 minutes. Ms. Cohen seconded the motion. Passed unanimously. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss Against: none Abstaining: none 4. Lexington Housing Foundation (LHF) future and recruitment of officers for President and Clerk Ms. Foutter asked for comments as to whether the LHF should be continued or disbanded. The sentiment of the HPB is that the Lexington Housing Foundation should be disbanded. However, the decision as to whether to continue or to disband is in the purview of the LHF, not the HPB. 5. June 12th CHAPA meeting on the successful passage of Article #34 Information Session for other towns Ms. Thompson: CHAPA (Citizens' Housing and Planning Association) met to discuss how Lexington was the first to pass bylaws relevant to the MBTA Communities Act. Ms. Thompson, Mr. Peters and Ms. Weiss talked with CHAPA members about the steps that Lexington took to passg the relevant warrant article, Article #34. 6. Real Estate Transfer Fee Working Group Mr. Pato has asked the HPB to investigate real estate transfer fees (RETFs). Ms. Heitz, Ms. Thompson, and Mr. Linton volunteered to form a working group and perform the investigation. Ms. Heitz: Ms. Heitz posted a document to the HPB Interest List regarding the transfer fee proposal. The working group is asking the HPB to provide questions to the working group regarding the transfer fee. The working group also recommends that Senator Barrett be asked to speak to the HPB regarding the transfer fee. Ms. Cohen urged the working group to provide a more comprehensive report on real estate transfer fees and to include a recommendation to the Select Board regarding the fees. Mr. Pressman raised the concern that, if the proposed RETFs legislation was passed and Lexington adopted a RETF, then Lexington would require 2 full-time employees to implement the RETFs. Mr. Pressman also said that he would like to have more information on the practical implementation of RETFs within Lexington. Mr. Hornig pointed out that the RETF would apply to almost every home in Lexington and it might be difficult to persuade homeowners to adopt a RETF. Mr. Hornig also raised the question as to how the RETF legislation would relate to the local option bills currently in the legislature that would charge a fee on new residential and new commercial development. This is not the same as the RETF but is attempting to achieve the same goal of providing funds for affordable housing. Mr. Pressman recommended reviewing information at the CHAPA site regarding the RETF and perhaps contacting CHAPA for further information. Ms. Heitz asked for further guidance as to Mr. Pato’s request for the investigation. It was not clear to the working group as to Mr. Pato’s expectations for the investigation. Ms. Foutter said that Mr. Pato had contacted her directly following a discussion at the Select Board (SB). In that discussion, the SB asked the HPB to research and give feedback and a recommendation on RETFs. Ms. Foutter recognized that the work may be a reach from the perspective of the working group. Ms. Foutter will reach out to Mr. Pato for further clarification and guidance based on the discussion this evening. Ms. Foutter thanked the working group for their efforts to date. 7. Planning Department June 20th Housing Summit Ms. Cohen reported that the purpose of the Housing Summit was for affordable housing-related organizations to introduce themselves and to talk about their accomplishments in the past few years. Mr. Pressman listened to the recording of the meaning. He said that he thought that Ms. Fenallosa’s presentation of the CPC factual presentation and conclusions warranted probing. 8. Board Member / Liaisons Updates Community Preservation Commission: Stone Building: The Town will be requesting $5M next year and ultimately up to $10.9M for the Stone Building renovation. Based on the discussion at the meeting, there will be significant competition for CPA funds in coming years. The 5-year Capital Plan for capital funding in out years shows no projections for housing. Based on what Mr. Pressman has heard about aspects of the recreation crisis that might be caused by the high school project, he expects a great deal of competition for CPA revenue in the future. Planning Board: Mr. Hornig: There was a 5-hour meeting on June 28 regarding regulations for site plan review. It will apply to multiple housing developments planned or in progress. The work is in process. The next hearing will be on July 18 for those who wish to attend. On behalf of the HBP, Ms. Foutter thanked the members of the Planning Board for their many long hours of work. LexHAB: Ms. Morrison sent an email update regarding LexHAB. The executive director for LexHAB, Bob Burbidge, Carol Kowalski, and Joe Pato testified on Monday, June 26, in support of LexHAB’s home rule petition to separate from the town and become an independent non-profit organization. Representative Michelle Ciccolo also provided testimony in support of the home rule petition. LexHAB is scheduled to close on July 7 on a 2-bedroom unit on Woburn Street. The unit will be purchased with ARPA funds. LexHAB will apply for inclusion of the unit on the SHI (Subsidized Housing Inventory). LexHAB received notification this week that LexHAB was selected for a $50,000 grant from the state’s clean energy center to develop a sustainability-focused capital plan for all units. The money will be used to hire a consultant and work with staff to develop a decarbonization strategy. LexHAB is organizing an affordable housing workshop with METCO and the LABB cooperative in October. Ms. Cohen attended a meeting regarding the workshop and on how the meeting would be framed and whether it would be targeted to a specific target audience, and, if so, how would that be done while still being inclusive. LexHAB is also planning a juried art exhibit with a home theme and will include an affordable housing panel for tenant gifts as part of the exhibit. Lexington Housing Authority (LHA): There was no update from the LHA. Council on Aging (COA): Via email prior to the meeting, Mr. Zhao reported that, on June 21, the COA updated the Select Board about the Senior Parking Program and requested that the Select Board make the pilot program permanent. The SB discussed the request and voted to approve it. Lexington seniors 65 and older can apply for the free parking sticker. Sustainable Lexington Committee (SLC): There was no update from the SLC. 9. Thank You Party Ms. Foutter suggested that the HPB gather to thank prior members who have stepped away and to welcome any new members. Ms. Foutter will send out mail asking for availability. 10. New Business Ms. Weiss said that the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) is trying to understand the roles of the HPB and other affordable housing organizations in Town. Ms. Weiss suggested reaching out to the AHT and setting up a meeting with them. Mr. Pressman said the AHT has a goal of meeting every 2 weeks. They meet for about 2 hours. The chair mentioned that she would like each member to reach out to 2 particular groups. She suggested it would be infinitely superior for them to schedule time at one of their meetings for one or two of the groups to speak directly to the AHT members, as a way of informing the AHT as to what the groups do. Mr. Pressman said that he thought that approach would be a much superior way of working with the AHT rather than fitting it into HPB meetings when there are many agenda items. Ms. Weiss suggested that the HPB identify one or two members to attend the AHT meetings and report back during the Board Member / Liaison updates. Mr. Pressman recommended that Ms. Cohen provide the same briefing as at the mini housing summit to the 3 AHT members who were not present at the summit. 11. Next Meeting Date for July (or September) The next meeting date is July 27 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be on Zoom. 12. Adjournment Ms. Weiss moved adjournment. Ms. Cohen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. In favor: Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Charles Hornig, Paul Linton, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss Against: none Abstaining: none The meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.