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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-25-HPB-min Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for March 25, 2025 Attendees: Nanette Byrnes, Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Wendy Manz (Chair), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Melanie Thompson, Bob Pressman, Betsey Weiss (Vice-Chair) Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Margaret Heitz, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), John Zhao (COA) Guest: Abby McCabe (Lexington Planning Director) The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Wendy Manz and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. The meeting was held remotely via Zoom teleconference. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Manz called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. The roll was called. 2. Review and signing of Local Action Unit Local Initiative Program Application for 47 affordable dwelling units at 17 Hartwell Ave 17 Hartwell Avenue is the Boston Properties project approved by the Planning Board in December for 312 units, including 47 inclusionary units at 80% of Area Median Income. The tenants in the inclusionary units will pay 30% of their income for rent. That number includes utility costs. Mr. Pressman noted that the market rate units will have very high rents. Ms. Byrnes asked why there seemed to be more advertising of the market rate units in Concord and surrounding towns compared to that in Lexington. Ms. McCabe indicated that she would add additional Lexington organizations. The HPB discussed various aspects of the Local Initiative Program (LIP) application. Ms. Weiss moved approval of the LIP application. Mr. Linton seconded the motion. In favor: Ms. Weiss, Ms. Byrnes, Mr. Linton, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Hornig, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Manz Against: <none> Abstain: Mr. Pressman The motion passed 7-0-1. 3. Discussion on Housing Needs Assessment Ms. Byrnes discussed the comments that she received regarding the Housing Needs Assessment. The final report will be published in June. One theme of the comments was the question of whether the assessment should include recommendations as to how to address housing needs. Opinion was divided on this question. Mr. Pressman relayed the comments he had heard from the Affordable Housing Trust. The HPB provided additional feedback to Ms. Byrnes. Ms. Murphy asked the HPB for their guidance as to whom someone looking for affordable housing should call. The HPB said there was no good answer to that, but suggested that someone looking for that guidance call LexHAB and the Lexington Housing Authority. Ms. Byrnes said she would investigate further and try to include that information in the assessment. Ms. Murphy thanked the Housing Needs Assessment team for providing an invaluable document. Several other people thanked the team for the work on this document. Ms. Byrnes thanked the HPB for its comments. 4. Vote on 116 Vine St, Leary property The Town purchased the land at 116 Vine Street about 15 years ago. Part of that parcel was intended for affordable housing, but none has been built. Based on a comment at a Select Board meeting, the abutters understood that no more than two units would be built on the site. It is not clear that there was a Select Board commitment to that number of units or whether that was a comment in passing. The task force for affordable housing on Vine Street recommended six housing units. The abutters have serious concerns about adding six housing units to the Vine Street lot. The narrowness of Vine Street is, perhaps, the major concern. The HPB notes that it is uneconomic to build only two affordable housing units on the lot. Even six units may be uneconomic. Article 23 authorizes the Select Board to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of a parcel on 116 Vine Street for the purpose of providing affordable housing. It is expected that, if Article 23 passes, the Select Board would issue a Request for Proposal for this purpose. Ms. Weiss moved to authorize the chair of the HPB to issue a statement on behalf of the HPB saying that we support the disposal of the property now and the issuance of an RFP. Further, that the RFP should be flexible enough to allow feasible proposals for housing on this parcel. Mr. Pressman seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 9-0-0 to approve the motion. 5. Wrap up discussion of Center Amendment and Article 2 from March 17th STM Ms. Manz recapped action on the Center amendment at Town Meeting: the amendment was defeated. Several people have expressed interest in further exploring updated zoning for the Lexington center. 6. Set next meeting date The next meeting will be on April 22 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. 7. HPB Adjournment Ms. Cohen moved adjournment. Ms. Murphy seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 8-0-0 to approve the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm.