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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-27-AHTBT-min Page 1 of 3 Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes of February 27, 2025 10:00 am Hybrid meeting on Zoom and attended in-person in the Select Board Meeting Room, Town Office Building Affordable Housing Trust Board Members present: Elaine Tung, Chair; William Erickson, Mark Sandeen, Linda Prosnitz, Tiffany Payne Staff present: Carol Kowalski, Assistant Town Manager for Development Ms. Tung chaired the hybrid meeting and called the meeting to order at 10:05 am. 1. Approve Meeting Minutes Ms. Tung requested a motion to approve the minutes of 05/23/24, 6/11/24, 6/17/24, 9/12/24 Executive sessions and 01/9/25 AHT meeting. Mr. Sandeen moved. Ms. Payne seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5-0-0, by a roll call vote (Erickson- yes, Payne- yes, Prosnitz- yes, Sandeen-yes, Tung- yes). Meeting minutes approved. 2. Chair, Select Board, Board/Committee Liaison and RHSO/staff report Mr. Erickson reported that he had attended the LexHAB meeting on February 26th and stated that LexHAB shared their progress with their sustainability efforts. He shared his opinion that meeting with a LexHAB staff member would be helpful to learn more about their experiences relating to sustainability measures. Ms. Payne reported that she attended the monthly meeting of CHAPA and shared updates from discussion on the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), and their annual Cookie Day event that would bring together all stakeholders to advocate for the program. Ms. Prosnitz reported that she had attended the meeting of the Housing Partnership Board and shared their discussion of Article 2 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant particularly on the financial aspects, compliance and the impact. Ms. Rust shared the role played by RHSO in Fair Housing Assessment and shared the next steps. Public Comments Bob Pressman, 22 Locust Ave, shared his opinion that the Trust could have its own program like Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program and suggested that the Trustees ask the Capital Expenditure Committee to share a draft of their discussion on this topic with the AHT. Ms. Rust updated the Trustees on the Housing Needs Assessment report and added that they are nearing completion and that their goal was to be on the agendas of all housing groups in March. Page 2 of 3 Ms. Rust stated that the goal is to take appropriate actions to address the feedback from all housing groups. Ms. Tung updated that the environmental consultant will be conducting their phase one study of the Lowell Street parcel and that the results of the traffic study will be shared with the members of the community at the community meeting to be held on March 6 th. Ms. Tung also informed the Trustees that Aspiring Spirit will no longer be conducting the community engagement at the community meeting and that Causeway Development will be conducting it themselves. Ms. Rust provided clarification on a question regarding who will be monito ring the inclusionary units in the MBTA Developments and stated that it will be monitored by the State under the Local Initiative Program. On a question regarding the process of application for the inclusionary unit, Ms. Rust stated that there is one centralized place where people can find out the availability of housing and the applicants have to apply for each one separately. 3. Special Town Meeting Warrant Article 2 Ms. Tung shared the update from her discussion at the Planning Board meeting the previous night regarding Special town Meeting Warrant Article 2. Ms. Tung stated that she emphasized the purpose of the MBTA Communities Act and that Lexington had voted for it in the first place with the intent to address the housing crisis. Ms. Prosnitz and Mr. Sandeen expressed their hope that both parties for Article 2 will reach a compromise that would provide positive outcomes and provide affordable inclusionary housing. Public Comments Bob Pressman, 22 Locust Ave, shared that the proposed alternative in terms of the available permanent acreage was something to be considered. The Trust decided to discuss the alternative plan in the next Trust meeting. 4. MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund Ms. Tung informed the Trustees that the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund was created with the intent to address shortfalls that might come up as a result of MBTA Communities, and to assist the municipalities with financial assistance. Ms. Kowalski gave an overview of how the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund can be used and provided examples for better understanding. She stated that the buydown concept was not well received by EOHLC staff, who advised that the grantee and developer could have a side- agreement to lower an affordable rent or sales price, and the developer must present a paid invoice for construction or development costs to be reimbursed by the Town from the grant, as a pass-through. Ms. Tung stated that since Lexington is a pioneer with respect to the MBTA Zoning bylaw, clear processes can be established which would help other communities as well. Public Comments Page 3 of 3 Margaret Heitz, 335 Marrett Road, suggested that a Select Board member or a representative from the Town approach the Catalyst Fund on behalf of the Affordable Housing Trust. Mr. Pressman asked Mr. Erickson if the Lowell Street project will qualify for infrastructure and Mr. Erickson responded ‘yes’ that there will be many things on the Lowell Street project that would qualify for infrastructure portion of the Catalyst Fund. The Trustees decided that the Trust should keep trying for the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund. 5. Creating additional affordable housing Ms. Tung shared some ideas to create additional affordable housing and stated that one way to create additional affordable housing is to issue a request for proposal (RFP) stating the amount of funds available asking for developers to apply for grants to develop affordable housing. Ms. Tung added that the second idea was to explore if there were ways to incentivize the current landlords to have an affordable rent for their units . The other idea was to incentivize owners to rent out their accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to households with low or moderate income. Ms. Payne felt that it was important to create affordable home ownership units. Mr. Erickson expressed his thoughts that there was an opportunity to develop affordable housing in the Town owned property located at 171 Bedford Street. Ms. Prosnitz stated that the Trust should consider purchasing parcels suitable for developing affordable housing and approach developers to construct affordable housing in those parcels. Ms. Kowalski agreed with Mr. Erickson that 171 Bedford Street is very well suited for housing development, but will not be available for possibly the next 10 years as it has been planned to be used as swing space for many different offices affiliated to the Town. Mr. Erickson suggested exploring ways to have housing in that building simultaneously with it being used as swing space. Ms. Kowalski stated that the Trust should consider having conceptual studies to evaluate the possibilities. Ms. Rust stated that there are some inherent difficulties in having ADUs as structured affordable housing units. Public Comments Mr. Pressman suggested the trustees check with the working group of the Housing Partnership Board working on ADUs to see if the Trust can take some initiatives based on their study. 6. Adjourn Ms. Tung requested a motion to adjourn the Affordable Housing Trust Meeting. Mr. Erickson moved. Ms. Payne seconded. The Trustees voted in favor of the motion 5 -0-0, by roll call vote (Sandeen-yes, Prosnitz- yes, Payne- yes, Erickson- yes, Tung- yes) The meeting adjourned at 11:58 am.