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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-03-AHTBT-min Page 1 of 3 Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes of January 3, 2024 3:00 pm Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in Parker room, Town Office Building Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; Mark Sandeen, William Erickson, Tiffany Payne, Linda Prosnitz Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Elizabeth Rust, RHSO Director; Ragi Ramachandran, Administrative Assistant Other attendees: Margaret Heitz, Bob Pressman, Kathryn Roy Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 3:03 pm. 1. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report Ms. Tung and Ms. Prosnitz met with the Select Board member Doug Lucente to discuss the Lowell Street Warrant Article for Spring Town Meeting. Mr. Lucente is in favor of the Housing Trust proceeding with the Spring Town Meeting. The meeting with the Recreation committee is scheduled for Jan. 17 to discuss the potential use of the Lowell Street parcel for housing. Ms. Payne and Ms. Tung are attending and will be speakers at the Affordable Housing event hosted by Lexington Lyceum on Jan. 30. The Trustees will attend the upcoming Board meetings of LexHAB, Lexington Housing Authority and Housing Partnership Board and share an update at the next meeting. They will be requesting the individual letter of support from the housing partners. 2. Lowell Street Status and Planning The Trustees discussed the goals for the parcel, the income ranges, and their priority for family units. They discussed the parameters to include in the RFP to receive a good mix of proposals and to attract low-income housing tax credits. The meeting with the Lowell Street neighbors is scheduled for Jan. 16. The Spring Town Meeting video and slides are due on Jan. 17. Ms. Payne and Ms. Tung are working on a video focusing on the need for affordable housing in town. The video will be in interview style with introduction, Q&A with people already living in affordable housing, potential candidates for affordable housing, and conclusion. There was discussion on whether the Trust will pay for the work. The Trustees felt it was important to share the affordable housing story. They agree that it will be beneficial to present the video to the community but considering the Trust’s bandwidth, they decided to postpone it for a later date. If they cannot find a videographer by Jan. 12 this effort will not be pursued for the Spring Town Meeting. The consensus is to revisit this after Jan. 17 when the video presentation for the Town Meeting is complete. There was discussion on the slides and video presentation for the CPC Application Warrant Article. Page 2 of 3 The Trustees discussed the logistics and format of the neighbor meeting on Jan. 16. They discussed the contents to include in the slides for an initial presentation. They felt it will be an opportunity for everyone to listen and learn. The primary intent of the meeting will be to receive feedback from the neighbors. The Trust discussed the community engagement and outreach initiatives with other Boards and committees. There was discussion on submitting the ANRAD application with the Conservation Commission. Mr. Erickson moved that the Affordable Housing Trust authorize Ms. Kowalski to proceed with the ANRAD application with the Conservation Commission. Ms. Prosnitz seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Payne – yes). Motion passed. The Trustees reviewed the revised motion for the Warrant Article – “To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select Board to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of Town -owned land described as parcel 68-44 located on Lowell Street near the northeast corner of North Street and Lowell Street for the purposes of developing affordable housing thereon, and to authorize the Select Board or its designee to enter into a Land Disposition Agreement and associated agreements in connection therewith; or to act in any other manner thereto.” Ms. Tung requested a motion that the Affordable Housing Trust recommend t he Select Board approve the revised language (as above) in the motion for the Lowell Street Warrant Article. Mr. Erickson moved. Ms. Prosnitz seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Payne – yes). Motion passed. The Trustees reviewed the outline of the slides for the Lowell Street Warrant Article , and discussed the contents to include in the slide deck. The Trustees agreed that a working group would work on the slides and share the slides with Ms. Kowalski by Jan. 10 for distribution to the other Trustees so that it can be reviewed at the next Trust meeting on Jan. 12. 3. Residents and Sustainability working groups reports Not discussed this time. 4. Future Use of 173 Bedford Street Mr. Sandeen shared that there will be discussion at the Select Board meeting on Jan. 8 about the use of 173 Bedford Street as a temporary space for the school’s central administration office. There will be discussion on whether the property should be renovated for $6M or the school central administration should move to a rented space. There is also ‘an option’ to develop affordable housing behind the existing building while the existing building continues to be a swing space but the idea has not been discussed further. Mr. Sandeen mentioned that a decision on the future use of the site will be made soon . Mr. Sandeen asked if the Affordable Housing Trust wants to take a position on the use of 173 Bedford Street, for affordable housing. The Trustees felt it was an optimal site for affordable housing and they unanimously support it being used for that purpose. From the review of the town owned properties, Lowell Street and 173 Bedford Street are the only viable properties for affordable housing development. After discussion, the Trustees agreed to authorize Ms. Tung to send a letter of recommendation to the Select Board on behalf of Affordable Housing Trust conveying its support for 173 Bedford Street to be used for Affordable Housing. Page 3 of 3 5. New Business Not discussed this time. 6. Confirm future meeting dates The next meeting will be on Jan. 12 at 10 am. 7. Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 5:32 pm by a roll call vote (Erickson – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Sandeen – yes, Tung – yes, Payne – yes). List of documents reviewed: 1. Lowell Street Warrant Article 2. Lowell Street Town Meeting Slides Outline