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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-29-HPB-min Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for May 29, 2025 Attendees: Nanette Byrnes, Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Charles Hornig (Planning Board), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz (Chair), Joyce Murphy, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (Vice-Chair) Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Jill Hai (Select Board liaison), Margaret Heitz, Sarah Morrison (LexHAB), Melanie Thompson, John Zhao (COA) Guests: Linda Prosnitz, Elaine Tung, Melinda Walker 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 7:00 pm. The roll was called. 2. Proposed “Housing Summit” for July 16, 2025 The Town Manager has asked to have a Housing Summit. The Summit will be from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on July 16. The goal is to share the roles and goals of each of the entities in the Town that address housing in Lexington. Further discussion will take place at a subsequent meeting, at which time we expect to have additional information about the meeting. 3. Discussion of Application for EOHLC grant: Housing Works Infrastructure Program (HWIP) funds for Militia Drive project Ms. Tung summarized the grant request: this is an opportunity for a significant amount of money to be used for additional affordable housing and/or increasing affordability. The applicant must be a municipal entity, usually a town or city. The Affordable Housing Trust agreed to give the state a range of units that would be covered by the grant. The developer has agreed to participate in this effort. The request will be for $1,555,000 before reserve and other costs. The total request is approximately $1,619,650. The AHT will match 11% of the grant application. The developer is developing drawings that will need to be reviewed by the Town Engineering department. The request will then have to go to the Select Board for approval, as Militia Drivewill need to be modified [CHECK THIS]. The developer expects the building permit in October 2025, with building beginning in January, 2026. The developer anticipates that the development will be completed within HWIP required timeframes. Ms. Tung then responded to questions from the HPB members and guests. Ms. Tung has requested that the HPB provide a letter of support for the grant application. Ms. Manz had drafted a letter of support for review by the HPB. The HPB then discussed the letter of support. Ms. Weiss moved that the HPB accept and support the draft letter to EOHLC in support of the HWIP grant application. Ms. Byrnes seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 8-0-0 to approve the motion. Ms. Manz will finalize the letter and send it to Ms. Tung. 4. Continuation of the review of the Consultant’s Multifamily Housing Impact Analysis on 6/16/25 Select Board Meeting The Select Board will meet on June 16 to take public comment on the Fougere Multifamily Housing Impact Analysis. A number of Town committees and boards have been invited to attend and provide comments. Ms. Manz and Ms. Tung urged HPB members to attend the meeting on June 16. 5. Follow-up Reports from Working Groups 1. Advocating for creation of housing units so seniors can age in place There was no report from this working group. 2. ADUs The Town staff is seeing an increased number of inquiries regarding ADUs, which may be a result of the ADU publicity. Mr. Hornig pointed out the importance of updating the zoning bylaws regarding ADUs. Lexington’s zoning bylaws do not correctly reflect the ADU regulations as updated by the state on Feb. 2, 2025. Mr. Hornig requested a letter from Ms. Manz on behalf of the HPB to the Planning Department asking for the ADU zoning to be updated to comply with state requirements. Mr. Hornig moved that Ms. Manz be authorized to write such a letter to the Town Planning Office staff. Ms. Weiss seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 8-0-0 to approve the motion A developer who has been building ADUs in Lexington and in other communities has pointed out the complexity of the requirements for obtaining a permit for an ADU. Mr. Hornig suggested that the permitting requirements be reviewed with an eye towards simplifying that permitting process. 3. Housing Needs Assessment Report update An updated document will be reviewed at an upcoming meeting of the Housing Needs Assessment Report Committee. The Committee is still targeting a June release of the report. 4. Funding sources for housing The RETF will probably not be addressed by the state legislature this year. There are a number of communities who are working towards the RETF. It is important for Lexington to join with those communities. 6. Liaison Reports Ms. Manz reviewed the liaison reports. 7. Appreciation of Bob Pressman for his long service; and need to nominate a new HPB member Ms. Manz acknowledged Mr. Pressman’s long service to the HPB and to his long and dedicated work to the cause of affordable housing in Lexington. The HPB members also acknowledged Mr. Pressman’s tireless and effective work on affordable housing in Lexington. Mr. Pressman’s resignation means that the HPB now has an open membership seat. As Mr. Pressman was the HPB representative to the Community Preservation Committee, the HPB will need to appoint a new CPC representative. 8. Review and approve minutes for Jan. 23, Jan. 29. Feb. 5, Feb. 20, March 4, and March 25, 2025 Ms. Weiss moved approval of these minutes. Mr. Linton seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 8-0-0 to approve the motion. 9. New Business There was no new business. 10. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 18 at 7:00 pm on Zoom. 11. HPB Adjournment Ms. Weiss moved adjournment. Ms. Byrnes 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 8:31 pm.