HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-09-09-FHC-min.pdf FAIR HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING
Minutes
Wednesday, September 9 , 1992
Present Florence Baturin; James Brannun , Mary Haskell ,
Nicole Herrmann, Bob Pressman, and Gerri Weathers
Absent Stephen Baran, Leona Martin and Peter Brown
Affordable Housing
Jacqui Smith, Chair , Board of Selectmen, presented
the Selectmen ' s assessment of the future of affordable
housing in Lexington Currently, the only affordable
housing activity is by LexHab LexHab continues to develop
single and two-family houses Now they are beginning
to leverage what they own Lex Hab will run out of money
in about 5 years Ten-thirteen former tax title lots
are considered buildable
Chair Smith announced that the state Housing Appeals
( Committee (HAC) ruling on Lexington Ridge favored the
town The dispute centers on the condition that low
and moderate housing units remain as affordable housing
forever It is unknown whether the developer Lexington
Ridge Associates plans to appeal the HAC decision in
Middlesex Superior Court
Questions arose regarding the feasibility of building
affordable units on the Met State property Chair Smith
explained that it is unknown how much of the land is
developable Also , recent inspection revealed contaminated
substance in the soil Estimated clean-up could be as
high as $5 million The section in Lexington requires
most of the clean-up
The Lexington Chamber of Commerce proposed a national
museum and music center be erected on the site The
F H C plans to invite Selectman McSweeney to a future
meeting to discuss the plans for Met State
Human Rights Committee
After a brief discussion with Chair Smith re the
pros and cons of a Human Rights Committee , Chair Smith
decided that the Fair Housing Committee formalize the
( work it has already begun rather than establish a separate
committee
Fair Housing Committee Meeting
Minutes - September 9 , 1992
Page 2 of 2
The F H C must prepare a proposal outlining the work,
the structure , the budget and staff requirement to be
presented to the Board of Selectmen for approval
Next Meeting -- October 14 , 1992
Respectfully submitted ,
Gerri Weathers
GW s&c/msu