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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-09-HPB-min-copy Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for May 5, 2024 Attendees: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington liaison), Nanette Byrnes, Margaret Heitz, Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Wendy Manz (Chair), Paul Linton, Bob Pressman, Samita Mandelia, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (Vice Chair), John Zhao (COA). Absent: Harriet Cohen (clerk), Jill Hai (Select Board liaison), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB) Guests: Linda Prosnitz (Affordable Housing Trust) The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Wendy Manz and minutes were taken by Betsey Weiss and Nanette Byrnes and prepared by Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held on Zoom. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Manz called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Overview of the Planning Board meeting on May 8 Mr. Hornig reviewed the discussion at the Planning Board meeting on May 8. The Planning Board concluded the public hearing for the Site Sensitive Development (SSD) proposed for adjacent lots at 28 Miriam and 32 Edgewood. There were three hearings at which the Planning Board received a lot of feedback. The applicant was comfortable with the results and the hearing was closed once everyone had a chance to speak. After deliberation, the Planning Board approved the project with 66 conditions. After the approval is finalized, there will be a 20-day appeal period. No significant changes were made to the building plans after any of the hearings 3. Review application for 59-unit condominium development at 5-7 Piper Road, set for Planning Board hearing on May 22, 2024 Mr. Hornig showed the site plan submission for the development. The site plan has not been presented to the Planning Board, so the Planning Board has no information beyond that contained in the submission. 5-7 Piper Road is a purely residential development of 2 buildings, 3 stories each, with 59 units of which 8 are inclusionary (affordable) in a Village Overlay district. This is formerly the site of 2 single family homes. Mr. Hornig reviewed different aspects of the Piper Road submission. The plans included 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units. The affordable units will be 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom units. Parking is in the basement level. Mr. Hornig noted that if the project complies with the zoning bylaw, the Planning Board cannot reject it. The Planning Board may require reasonable conditions that do not prevent the use. The Planning Board hearing on the Piper Road project is on May 22. The HPB discussed whether to weigh in on the project before the first hearing. The HPB agreed that it would be best to wait until at least after the first hearing to provide a statement. 4. Review application for condominium development at 89-91 Bedford Street Mr. Hornig provided an overview of the application for condominium development at 89-91 Bedford Street, near Lois Lane. The development is in a village overlay district. There is currently an old house on the property. The proposal is to relocate the historic house to the front of the property and build one new building behind it. The new building will have 30 units in 3 stories including 4 affordable units. The development will have 2- and 3-bedroom units and provide underground and surface parking. The HPB discussed the design of the new building. The HPB expressed concern that the design is too box-like but recognized that a less boxy design could add cost to the development. The HPB discussed whether to weigh in on the project before the first hearing. The HPB agreed that it would be best to wait until at least after the first hearing to provide a statement. The Planning Board hearing for this project will be on June 5. Ms. Manz encouraged HPB members to attend the May 22 and June 5 Planning Board meetings as individual attendees not representing the HPB and to make comments as each person sees fit. Mr. Hornig pointed out that the Planning Board is also meeting on June 26 and July 17 and that it is likely that both the Piper Road and Bedford Street hearings will continue at those Planning Board meetings. 5. Review Sustainability Committee proposal for assistance to affordable housing residents to reduce energy bills In her March liaison report, Ms. Arens discussed the possibility of helping residents of affordable housing with using sustainable utilities. Ms. Manz asked Ms. Arens to provide additional information and then to determine if the HPB could help in this effort. Previously, a presentation had been provided to LexHAB residents as to how to save money on their utilities. It now appears that other than Lexington Housing Authority residents, all affordable/subsidized housing residents are eligible for utility discounts. There are a number of steps to obtain these utility bill savings. The plan is to provide the same guidance to the affordable/subsidized housing residents as has been provided to LexHAB residents. Ms. Arens shared the Low Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) requirements with the HPB and also showed the electricity and gas discounts. There are potentially hundreds of households in Lexington that qualify for these discounts but are unaware of them or how to apply for them. Ms. Arens pointed out that the community solar benefits are available not only to affordable/subsidized housing residents but also to all households in Lexington. Ms. Arens is currently planning next steps in ensuring that all eligible residents received the appropriate discounts. 6. New Business Ms. Heitz said that she heard from Representative Michelle Ciccolo’s assistant that the Lexington’s home rule petitions for a surcharge was reported out of committee positively and has been sent for a third reading to be cleaned up technically. The bill is expected to eventually be sent on in a package for the legislature to vote on. This could happen as early as the end of July. The Real Estate Transfer Fee (RETF) was removed from the housing bill passed by the legislature. However, it is still possible there will be an RETF. The affordable housing coalition requests that letters be written to the chairs of the Joint Committee on Housing and to the House Ways and Means Committee in support of the real estate transfer fee. Ms. Heitz urged the HPB to consider writing a letter to the relevant legislative committees. Ms. Heitz agreed to draft a letter for consideration at the next HPB meeting. Mr. Pressman updated the HPB on the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) meeting, noting that they reported they are providing an additional $600,000 to LexHAB which will be used to purchase a 4-bedroom house at below market rates so that it could be used as affordable housing. The home is in good condition and the closing is expected soon. The AHT is also beginning work on a draft of material for an RFP for the Lowell/North Street property. Regarding that property, the AHT met with a developer to talk about the possibility of buying down the cost of a unit to afford another unit to affordability and reported in public that the developer reported back interest in meeting with the Trust about that. Mr. Pressman noted that the AHT is continuing the level of effort that we have seen over the past year. 7. Next Meeting The next meeting will be Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be on Zoom. 8. Adjournment Mr. Linton moved adjournment. Ms. Heitz seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 13-0-0 to approve the motion. The meeting was adjourned by Ms. Manz.