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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-17-HPB-min Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for October 17, 2024 Attendees: Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Cohen (Clerk), Ms. Heitz, Mr. Hornig (Planning Board), Mr. Pressman, Ms. Weiss (Vice-Chair), Mr. Zhao (COA) Absent: Ms Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Rodney Cole (Capital Expenditures Committee), Jill Hai (Select Board), Mr. Linton, Ms. Manz (Chair), Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), Ms. Thompson Guest: Linda Prosnitz The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Betsey Weiss and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom teleconference. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Weiss called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The roll was called. 2. Review and decide on HPB Goals and then form Goal Working Groups Ms. Weiss introduced the discussion of goals. Ms. Cohen commented that it would be helpful to think of goals in the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timebound) framework. The HPB first discussed the goals regarding education, adding measurements to each of the items. Ms. Heitz raised the point that we should understand what we want people to do as a result of them being educated. The HPB made suggestions as to how the HPB could determine if the goals were achieved. The HPB next discussed goals proposed in the Advocacy category. The discussion focused on structuring the advocacy items as goals rather than as tactics. The HPB discussion also suggested reframing the advocacy items as a goal for increasing funding for affordable housing. As background to the proposed goal of creating affordable and accessible housing, Mr. Zhao reminded the HPB that Lexington is an Age Friendly Community and housing is one of the twelve domains of Age Friendly Communities. The ultimate goal of accessible housing is to enable older people to remain at home. The HPB discussed added a goal advocating for senior affordable housing and housing for people with special needs. The HPB then discussed a goal related to fundraising. There was some doubt as to the HPB’s ability to do significant fundraising and a question was raised as to whether the HPB has legal authority to raise money, but the goal was left in the list of goal candidates. The next category of goals was the advisory function, in particular advising the Planning Board. Mr. Hornig noted that with the new zoning there are fewer discretionary issues: the new zoning addresses many of the issues that were formerly discretionary. Mr. Hornig also noted that the Planning Board is seeking advice on local preference. The HPB added a goal candidate that the HPB can support going to the Planning Board meetings that have inclusionary zoning and affordable housing issues; also, that the HBP will weigh in on anything where the Planning Board or Planning Directors ask for the HPB’s input. One role for the HPB in the future would be to advocate for additional zoning changes that would be beneficial for affordable housing, but not at this time; the Planning Board and the Planning staff are focused on the applications that have come in under the MBTA zoning. Ms. Byrnes will send out the updated goals list to the Housing Partnership for further discussion at the next HPB meeting. 3. Discussion in preparation for the PB discussion on Oct. 23rd on local option preference for inclusionary units The HPB discussed the pros and cons of having a local option preference but did not come to a conclusion on a recommendation for a policy. The HPB will participate with the Planning Board on Wednesday, October 23 at which the discussion will continue. The Planning Board intends to create a policy regarding local preference at that meeting. Ms. Byrnes noted that the Housing Needs Assessment will address local preference, but that document will not be available until well after the October 23 meeting. 4. Review minutes for the Sept. 12 and 26 HPB meetings Ms. Byrnes moved approval of the minutes of the September 12 and September 26, 2024. Ms. Heitz seconded the motion. In favor: Mr. Hornig, Ms. Weiss, Ms. Heitz, Mr. Pressman, Ms. Cohen, Mr. Zhao Against: <none> Abstain: Ms. Byrnes 5. Report on LexHAB’s strategic goals Ms. Weiss and Ms. Manz met with Bob Burbidge of LexHAB. LexHAB is creating a strategic plan for which they have hired a consultant. In that meeting, Mr. Burbidgee asked for HPB input into the plan. Ms. Weiss and Ms. Manz said that HPB supports the LexHAB mission of housing individuals and households in the 30% to 80% AMI (Area Median Income) range. Ms. Weiss and Ms. Manz also supported LexHAB addressing the “missing middle” in housing, but not at the cost of spreading LexHAB too thin. The HPB will also support any changes in mission due to LexHAB becoming a 501(3)(c) organization. 6. New Business LexHAB is holding their “Raise the Roof” fundraiser on October 18. Please come! Ms. McCabe asked Ms. Weiss to announce that the Planning Board is having the first hearing on November 6 regarding the 3 to 5 Militia Drive housing project. Mr. Hornig noted that the Planning Board will be holding hearings on October 23, November 6, November 20, and December 11. One or more housing projects will be discussed at each meeting, so any meetings attended by members of the Planning Board will include a hearing on a housing project. The CPTC is doing education on topics including fair housing and community engagement. Mr. Hornig recommended attending these sessions. 7. Set Next Meeting Date Liz Rust of RHSO has asked for time at a meeting on Nov. 21 to present the 5-year HOME consortium plan and to ask for input on the plan. It is not clear whether Ms. Rust needs a quorum of the HPB to be present. Ms. Weiss will check with Ms. Rust. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 7 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. 8. Adjournment Ms. Byrnes moved adjournment; Ms. Heitz seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 7-0-0 to approve the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm.