HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-07-AHTBT-min
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Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2024 11:30 am
Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in the Parker Room, Town
Office Building
Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; Mark Sandeen, Tiffany
Payne, Linda Prosnitz, William Erickson (joined at 11:50am)
Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; Liz Rust, RHSO
Director; Ragi Ramachandran, Administrative Assistant
Other attendees: Richard Jette, Margaret Heitz, Bob Pressman, Melinda Walker
Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 11:32am.
1. Approve Meeting Minutes
Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the minutes of 12/11/23 AHT meeting. Mr. Sandeen
moved. Ms. Payne seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 4-0-0, by a roll call
vote (Tung – yes, Sandeen – yes, Payne – yes, Prosnitz – yes). Meeting minutes approved.
2. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report
Ms. Tung shared the update from the Select Board meeting on Feb. 5. The Select Board
member, Jill Hai reviewed the purpose and explained the intent of Article 33 which Ms. Tung
confirmed. Ms. Tung shared the community concerns and concerns expressed during the public
comment period from the Select Board meeting as follows:
1) Concerns with size of the development, school enrollment, the ecosystem, traffic and
walkability;
2) Support for developing the parcel as well as its location and additionally, the importance
of adding affordable housing for Lexington to stay above the 10% SHI requirement;
3) Statement that affordable housing should be developed on a location with better transit
options;
4) Potential extension of the Minuteman Bikeway to Lowell Street as mentioned in the
Town Manager’s weekly update;
5) Concerns with air quality due to traffic;
6) Concerns with accessibility issue and residents not feeling part of the Lexington
community;
Ms. Prosnitz explained that the Trust is not proposing single family homes but a multifamily
housing in which will residents will create their own unique community. Mr. Sandeen felt that
the community concerns should be addressed in the FAQs. He mentioned that one of the Select
Board goals is affordable housing.
Ms. Prosnitz shared that the letter of support from Housing Partnership Board is being drafted,
and she anticipates it being sent to the Select Board that week.
Ms. Payne updated that Lexington Housing Authority has a meeting on Feb. 8 and they will be
discussing support for Article 33 at the meeting.
LexHAB’s meeting is in the following week and updates will be shared at the next meeting.
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Ms. Walker wanted clarification on the wording of the article. She asked why the article doesn’t
state that it gives the Select Board the ability to issue an RFP. Ms. Tung responded that the
Select Board does not need Town Meeting authorization to issue an RFP.
3. Finance Report
The Trustees reviewed the Finance report detailing the expenses and revenue , and provided
suggestions for better presentation of the information. Ms. Ramachandran agreed to work with
Ms. Tung to update the report. The Trustees agree to Ms. Tung sharing the updated report as
discussed, with the Town finance committees.
4. Report to CEC and AC
The Trustees agreed to Ms. Tung submitting the report to the Capital Expenditures committee
and Appropriation Committee, with the finance detail revisions included .
5. CPA Project Description
The Trustees reviewed the Affordable Housing Trust’s draft ‘Project Goals and Objectives’
statements and ‘Project Benefits’ for the CPC’s report. Mr. Pressman shared that the CPC report
comprise of the activities of the CPC, the funds available at the beginning of Town Meeting, and
includes a chart reporting on the 5-year funding plan.
The Trustees shared their feedback, Ms. Tung agreed to incorporate the comments and submit
the revised document to the CPC.
6. Affordable Housing Trust Work Session
The Trustees had a work session and reviewed the Article 33 draft FAQs and responses. There
was discussion on the updates to the FAQs related to Parcel 68-44 specifics, the purpose of
Article 33, why the site was chosen, the feasibility to develop the parcel, what affordable
housing developers do, how affordable housing developers differ from market rate developers,
how affordable housing financed, the process, the accessibility, impact on school enrollment,
and income limits for households.
Ms. Tung will incorporate the updates and share the revised version for everyone’s review.
The Precincts 5 and 6 and neighbor meeting is on Feb. 15 at 4pm. Ms. Tung shared concerns
that some people who want to participate will not be able to attend due to the meeting being
scheduled during work hours. The Trustees agreed to an additional meeting on Feb. 27 at 7 pm.
7. New Business
Ms. Tung asked about the application for Special Residential Development (SRD) on Edgewood
and Meriam St and if Housing Trust should be involved. Ms. Kowalski clarified that there is no
action required from the Trust.
Mr. Jette asked when and where the finalized FAQs for Article 33 will be posted. Ms. Kowalski
responded that it will be posted to the Town Meeting webpage.
8. Confirm future meeting dates
The next meeting will be on Feb. 15 at 4pm.
9. Adjourn
Mr. Sandeen moved to adjourn, which was seconded by Ms. Payne, and on a roll call vote:
(Erickson – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Sandeen – yes, Tung – yes, Payne – yes), the meeting adjourned
at 1:34pm.
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List of documents reviewed:
1. Minutes of 12/11/23 meeting
2. Finance Report Detail
3. AHT Project Goals and Objectives – CPA project description
4. Article 33 FAQs - Draft