HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-08-06-LCSR-min.pdf JOINT MEETING OF 9HE LEXINGTON COMMISSION ON SUBURBAN
RESPONSIBILITY AND TIE LEXINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
August 6, 1969
The Fleeting of the Commission and the Lexington
Housing Authority of August 6, 1969 was held in the
Recreation Room of Greeley Village at 8 00 P.M ,
August 6, 1969
Present from the Commission were Roland Greeley,
Chairman, and members Frank Armstrong, Charles Cole,
Robert Earsy, Natalie Riff in, Joseph Rooney and Camille
Skov. Present from the Housing Authority were Temple
Scanlon, Chairman, and members William Melbye, Daniel
Power, Joseph Rooney and Mr. Cowdrey, Director Also
in attendance were members of the Planning Board Sub-
committee on Housing Lloyd Beckett, Renee Cochin,
Herbert Eisenberg and Eric Clarke, also Francis Worrell
of the Planning Board and Alexander Zaleski, Planning
Director
Members of the various Committees and others in
attendance introduced themselves and identified the
group or groups each represents.
Roland Greeley outlined the experience of the Background
Commission to date in furthering the objective of
obtaining moderate cost housing in Lexington, indica-
ting that the problems of finding appropriate land
and of obtaining necessary zoning changes are issues
which the Commission members wish to explore with the
Housing Authority Mr. Greeley asked a series of
questions designed to determine the long range work-
load of the Housing Authority predicated on present
and future committments
Mr. Scanlon indicated that several groups in
Lexington working for moderate cost housing are pull-
ing in various directions as a result of differing
philosophies and that coordination of activities and
exchange of information is necessary. The question
of the need for additional housing units for the
elderly of Lexington was discussed, and the economic
limitations of a maximum of $3,000 per couple was
generally felt to be too restrictive, since it excludes
thos who have slightly higher incomes but still can-
not afford to remain in Lexington.
August 6, 1969 - 2 -
The group discussed available state assisted Legislation
housing programs under Ch. 708 for moderate cost rental and
housing and also discussed the implications of the Programs
pending legislation which originated as H5L29, sub-
mitted by Representative Martin Tinsley. This bill
would remove controlls from local authorities, parti-
cularly the Planning Board and Town Meeting in determin-
ing zoning changes from single family use to multi
family use.
Mr. Rooney believes that dwellings constructed
by the Housing Authority should answer the need of
Lexington residents. He objected to the suburban
approach taken in connection with Article 101 of the
1969 March Annual Town Meeting
The prohibitive land costs of todays market were Land and
compared with the $26, 000 cost of the 10 acres for Costs
Greeley Village The use of the tax title land or
the possibility of obtaining land at a low price or
as a gift from a civic minded group or individual
were regarded as possible economic advantages which
could facilitate development of moderate cost housing
Specific sites - on Waltham Street in Megherville and
the .Land set aside for veterans werediscussed briefly
Mr. Greely stated that the Commission on Suburban
Responsibility is trying to find an approach that will Future Plans
be acceptable to the town. The Commission believes
that the Housing Authority is the appropriate town body
through which to work out the solution. Ideally, the
Housing Authority in cooperation with the Board of
Selectmen and the Planning Board would evolve a specific
plan - including selection of land, zoning etc and
the Commission would then work to broaden the base of
support for the proposal
Mr Scanlon expressed the need for a full time Personnel for
person to plan and administer programs for the Housing H. A
Authority, particularly if the scope of responsibility
of the Authority is expanded There was general agree-
ment that a request for a full time paid professional
should be made at the 1970 Annual Town Meeting
tl J
August 6, 1969
- 3
Mr. Zaleski stressed the position that we
should do our own planning for moderate cost
housing or state and federal authorities will
do it for us.
The next meeting of the Commission will
be held August 18, 1969 in Cary Hall, immediately
following the Special Town Meeting
The meeting adjourned at 9.45 P.M.
Natalie H Riff in