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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-11-05-MSCC-min.pdf 1 MUZZEY SCHOOL CONVERSION COMMITTEE MEETING November 5, 1981 The Muzzey School Conversion Committee met on November 5, 1981 at 8 00 P.M. in Room G-15 of the Town Office Building Those in attendance were Alfred Busa, Chairman, George Harris, Nason Whitney, Otis S Brown, Jr William T Spencer, Leo P McCabe and Martin K. White Chairman busa opened the meeting by asking each member of the Committee to (1) give his reaction to the comments received in the public hearing last week and (2) give his recommendation on how best to proceed with the conversion of Muzzey School Members comments are as follows Don Giller The hearing last week showed, I think, that there is no strong sentiment, at this time, for or against any use for Muzzey I think that the in- formal polling that Otis Brown conducted of the Russell Square owners reflected the range of opinions shown at the hearing We probably won't learn what people really are thinking about the Muzzey project until we present to the community two or three specific proposals in which the com- mittee is interested My review of Mr Boyer's planning data--especially the traffic projections for alternative uses-- makes me somewhat dubious that the community will accept a commercial application of the building Nevertheless, I think that the committee ought to try to surface a proposal for a commercial office building use, possibly including space restricted for Council on Aging activities (although I am not sure that the full COA request is what is needed) Only after we have such a proposal in hand can we expect the community to consider the full implica- tions of commercial use The only point that I sensed those present at the hearing agreed upon was that the nearby community is concerned that the green space on the ease side of the building be maintained as green space--not as a parking lot As a nearby neighbor of the facility, and as a resident concerned with the appearance of the approaches to the Center, I agree F with this point of view In the Request for Proposals, I believe that the Town ought to encourage imaginative use of the c - 2 - Muzzey School Conversion Committee November 5, 1981 Meeting Muzzey facility for housing and office use, stipu- lating that the Town may wish to reserve a specific amount of space for town agency (i e , COA) use I would seek proposals that would be based on long- term lease vs outright purchase. Bill Spencer Did not believe that the views received gave a uni- fied front for or against a specific use for the school Although_ the L.H.A. proposal does not meet all the goals of the charge given by Town Meeting but it meets most of them. He believes it may be one of Lexington's last chances to achieve the goals set forth by Town Meeting Recommendation Support L H.A. proposal Spencer believes that there is a 40% chance funds would be available for housing He would tap either the abandoned condominium money from HUD (Potter Pond etc ) or part of the State's bond offering next fall L H.A. needs control of Muzzey before he could attempt to secure funds, however Nason Whitney Recommendation Use ground floor of Muzzey for Council on Aging, Visiting Nurse Association and other similar uses Use upper floors for commercial office space He believes that there is a shortage of office space The only other possible candidate could be congregate housing Otis Brown. Concurring with Spencer; could not determine any clear preference for a specific use from the public meeting Leo McCabe Public housing would not be acceptable because it would attract too much exposure to the main part of Town It requires too much time and effort to keep up McCabe felt that the Town should retain owner- ship in the school building and lease it back to the user Recommendation Business (commercial) with a Council on Aging use would be acceptable He felt that the scattered sites around Town should be used for additional housing Martin White Believes that there is very little support for elderly housing There was a fair amount of interest in providing for a Council on Aging Elderly seemed Muzzey School Conversion Committee November 5, 1981 Meeting to have objections to having family housing in- tegrated in the same site Recommendation Advertise for proposals so that alternative uses can be received and discussed with the public George Harris Did not receive any indication from the public meeting regarding using Muzzey for commercial (non-industrial) use. He felt a sincere need for a COA and senior center from the reactions of the public He brought up the fact that the COA had unanimously supported the L H.A. housing proposal Recommendation Advertise for proposals for commercial (non- industrial) use, housing alternatives, and non- profit use No subsidized housing should be in- cluded He emphasized the need for the Committee and Town to act as soon as possible to request and receive bids Al Busa Busa recommended that the Town keep ownership of the land and building and lease them back to the user The lease would be for a set amount of time (15,20,25 years) and the lease charge would be keyed to the CPI or escalation He believes that only private funding can be counted on Recommendation Commerical (condominium) use coupled with COA use, congregate housing or corporate office space use (with a provision for the COA or senior center) Whitney proposed that the COA consider moving into Muzzey for the time being Members expressed concern due to the energy costs associated with heating the facility Action for next meeting Hutchinson will draft up a draft advertisement to solicit letters of interest for prospective bidders The ad would request bids for housing, commercial office or non-profit use, with a provision for the COA or a senior center He would include the intention of the Town to lease and not sell, the land and building He will send it out to all Committee mem- bers for comments at the next meeting, scheduled for November 12 Whitney and Busa said they will not be able to attend the next meeting Respectfully submitted, George Harris Acting Secretary