HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-26-AHTBT-min
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Affordable Housing Trust
Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2024 10:00 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
Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development; 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 10:04 am.
1. Approve Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes approval was postponed to next meeting.
2. Lowell Street and North Street
Ms. Prosnitz shared that the Housing Partnership Board has sent its letter of support for Article
33 to the Select Board. Ms. Tung updated that the Lexington Housing Authority’s letter of
support is posted online. Mr. Erickson will follow up with LexHAB for the letter of support.
Mr. Sandeen and Ms. Prosnitz reported that they presented to the Sustainable Lexington
committee. They shared that it was a good presentation, there were a number of questions and
comments, the committee didn’t take a position but was in favor of Article 33.
Mr. Sandeen and Ms. Prosnitz reported that they presented to the Commission on Disability.
Ms. Prosnitz explained that the ‘accessibility’ issues were discussed. The committee didn’t take
a position but were in support of Article 33. They suggested including ‘Universal design’ as a
criterion in the RFP.
Ms. Prosnitz explained the architectural access board regulations for multi-family rental
developments. It required at least 5% of the units to be group 2 units that they must be built
wheel chair accessible. All of the units should adhere to group 1, they must be built adaptable
with an ability to make those ‘accessible’.
The Trustees reviewed the draft of the flowchart prepared by Mr. Erickson with inputs from Ms.
Prosnitz, Ms. Kowalski and Ms. Rust. Ms. Tung stated that the flowchart was put together to
help the members of the public understand the process better. Mr. Erickson explained that the
flowchart was based on factual information and not subjective. Mr. Erickson walked through
the flowchart. The Trustees discussed every step in the flowchart and shared their edits and
suggestions. The Trustees agreed to Mr. Erickson updating the flowchart as discussed. Ms.
Prosnitz will work with Mr. Erickson.
Ms. Kowalski suggested the flowchart be posted as an addendum to the FAQ , and as a separate
document along with the letters of support under the Article in the Town website.
The Trustees reviewed the logistics of the Feb. 27 info session, and decided it will b e similar to
the 1st session on Feb. 15 to make it equal for all attendees.
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Ms. Heitz sought clarification on the public input process prior to any decision making by the
Select Board. Would the public be offered an opportunity to make comments and those p ublic
comments will be recorded or if there will be a discussion and feedback to the public? Mr.
Sandeen responded that the Select Board always takes written comments ahead of any
meeting. For comments made during the meeting, the Select Board listens to t he comments
and makes the decision.
Mr. Pressman commented that the Trust should emphasize the independent professional
assessments done as part of due diligence on the site.
Mr. Sandeen shared an update from the meeting with the Appropriation Committee. The
Appropriation committee would like to see more specificity on what would be requested in the
RFP. One of the members suggested the Select Board weigh in on what would and wouldn’t be
included in the RFP. The Appropriation Committee did not take a position at this time but
decided to wait to hear what the Select Board decided.
3. New Business
Not discussed at this time.
4. Confirm future meeting dates
The next Affordable Housing Trust meeting will be on Mar. 4 at 10am. The 2nd info session for
precinct 5 and 6 Town Meeting Members and neighbors will be on Feb. 27 at 7pm.
5. Adjourn
Mr. Sandeen moved to adjourn, which was seconded by M s. Prosnitz, and on a roll call vote:
(Erickson – yes, Prosnitz – yes, Sandeen – yes, Tung – yes, Payne – yes), the meeting adjourned
at 11:52am.
List of documents reviewed:
Draft Lowell Street Permitting Process – Flowchart