HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-09-21-CPC-min
Lexington Community Preservation Committee
Minutes
September 21, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Chair Betsey Weiss at 5:05 p.m. Other members
attending were: Joel Adler, Richard Pagett, Norm Cohen, Wendy Manz, Dick Wolk, Leo
McSweeney and Sandy Shaw. Not attending was Marilyn Fenollosa.
Douglas House Project
The committee decided to devote the meeting to discussing the ,
a development of 15 units of affordable housing for brain-damaged adults, submitted for
consideration by Supportive Living, Inc., a Woburn-based non-profit organization. The
committee raised many questions which could be addressed with the SLI representatives
at a special CPC meeting, to be scheduled in late October. The Douglas House Project
will not be considered at the possible Fall Town Meeting – but, may be presented at the
Spring Town Meeting.
1. There were many questions about the easement use. Do they consider it “open
space?” Why would we need to “buy” the easement when it is already owned by
the Town? Does SLI need to have dedicated parking spaces in the heavily-used
Town lot?
2. There was much discussion about the appropriateness of the request, such as the
significant size of the request, and the private nature of the development.
3. What has the pattern been in the other two housing projects owned by SLI.
4. What happens to the project if CPC cannot commit to the yearly financial plan
requested in the proposal? Are any of the CPA funds for operating expense?
5. Has the “historic nature” of the building been confirmed?
6. Can Lexington residents be given preference without affecting 40B requirements?
7. Will affordable units meet state requirements for rental subsidies?
8. There were “timeline” questions from several members.
9. Will SLI be paying any Real Estate taxes?
10. Has all necessary funding been raised, except for the amount requested from the
CPC?
October 25 or 26
Betsey will check with SLI to set up a meeting for either , to discuss
questions on the Douglas House Project.
Thursday, October 5 at 7:30
A public hearing is set for for the three projects which
have been approved for Town Meeting consideration in November: the Cary Hall Vault
moveable shelving for archival preservation submitted by the Town Clerk; the Depot
freight elevator, submitted by the Lexington Historical Society; and also from the
Historical Society, the Hancock-Clarke restoration study Phase I.
Sandra Shaw, Recorder