HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-06-15-AHOC-min.pdf AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS COMMITTEE
June 15, 1989
The first meeting of the Affordable Housing Options Committee was held on
Thursday, June 15, 1989, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building,
at 8 00 p.m. Co-Chairmen John Eddison and Eleanor Klauminzer, John Oberteuffer,
William Spencer, Lisa Baci, Leona Martin, Sam Nablo, and Edmund Grant represented
Town Committes and Boards Ruth Walton, Marian Reilly, L. Gail Colwell, Eric
Michelson, Sara Schanan, Catherine Abbott, Diana Garcia, represented Town Precincts
Planning Director Robert Bowyer, Planning Assistant Zenia Kotval, Zoning Enforcement
Officer Joe Marino; Thomas Gouzoule, Condominium Conversion Board; and Robert
Pressman, Fair Housing Committee, were also present.
Mr Eddison opened the mooting by thanking committee members for volunteering
to serve. All present introduced themselves and identified their affiliation.
Mr Eddison noted that there had been several people, not appointed as members,
who had expressed interest in participating in the committee's work, namely,
Thomas Gouzoule, Emerson Gardens Tenants Association and Condo Conversion Board
member, and Jan Brandin, who has an extensive background in housing They, and
possibly representatives of the Special Housing Needs group, will be invited to
attend meetings with Mr Gouzoule designated as a Liaison and Mr Brandin as a
resource person.
Mr Eddison recapped mcotings in the Fall of 1988 of Town Boards and Committees
involved in housing issues, at which goals for provision of affordable housing were
formulated. Meetings of the Town officials with citizens groups to gain their input
were also held and it concluded that a need existed to include a broader spectrum of
townspeople in the process This led to the proposal by the Selectmen to Town
Meeting that the Options Committee be appointed.
Procedures to be followed by the Committee in the development of options for
affordable housing were outlined by Mr Eddison. He described the work of the
Conmiittcc as a shared learning experience. He cautioned members against parochial-
ism, noting that the interests of the entire town must be considerd. He also urged
precinct representatives to give particular thought to how best they could provide
feedback to and from their respective precincts
Mr Eddison outlined Bob Bowyer's role in the functioning of the committee as
a highly valued guide and resource specialist.
It was agreed, as suggested by Mr Eddison, that a general limit of three
minutes will be placed on comments made at meetings Mr Eddison urged the members
to freely express their thoughts and views, with the knowledge that after a few
weeks their opinions may change. He also cautioned members against reference to
past controversies pointing out the need to start with a fresh slate
The tasks outlined in the Charge to the Committee were reviewed Mr Eddison
noted that the Committee can go beyond or expand upon those tasks if it seems
appropriate.
Mrs Klauminzer reviewed the end product of the work of the Committee which
will be an affordable housing plan, including- a Statement of Need; Goals/Policies
Techniques Available; Local Resources inventory; and an Implementation Plan.
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Mr Bowyer spoke to the group on Chapter 774, under which, with a Comprehensive
Permit granted by the Board of Appeals, a development which includes a percentage of
low/moderate income units may be constructed without compliance with local zoning
laws. Mr Bowyer felt that Ch. 774 represents a severe loss of local control
The statute has now been reevaluted by a Legislative Commission, in response to
protests from communities Mr Bowyer outlined the recommendation of the Commission
that the ECCD develop guidelines, in cooperation with the Housing Appeals Committee,
for ongoing review and approval of local housing plans He pointed out the incentive
for development of a housing plan for Lexington, which would act as a buffer and a
protection against "hostile" Ch. 774 applications which might cone before the Housing
Appeals Committee if denied a comprehensive B/A permit.
Mrs Klauminzer reported on plans to form Task Forces within the Committee, to
be set up at the next Options Committee meeting The Task Forces would meet on a
frequent basis and would report on their conclusions at the proposed monthly meetings
of the full Committee. Mr Eddison asked that members speak up if they were not in
accord with the procedures proposed.
Sara Schoman felt that, in view of the commitment at Town Meeting to move with
as much speed as possible on affordable housing goals, meetings of the full committee
should be held-more frequently than once a month.
Mrs Klauminzer also urged members to feel free to express thoughts in an
atmosphere of "safety" without worrying that they would be held accountable for
statements made on a tentative basis during discussions.
Two groups were then formed for a forty-minute informal discussion of questions
prepared by Mrs. Klauminzer on aspects of the Town's housing goals Participants
were asked to state their views, negative or positive, on affordable housing in
Lexington. Should there be more units provided? For whom should they be provided?
How many units by the year 2,000?
After the meeting resumed, discussion continued on the frequency and night of
the week for meetings It was agreed that meetings would alternate between
Wednesdays and Thursdays and that the next meeting will be posted for Wednesday,
June 21st. at 8 00 p.m.
Mr Eddison noted the legal need at all regular and Task Force Meetings for
recording proceedings in minutes and felt that the best procedure, with the least
impact on any one member, would be for each member, when asked, to assume that
responsibility on a rotating basis.
The meeting was adjourned at 10 14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Marion H. Snow