Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-18-HPB-min.pdf Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for March 18, 2026 Attendees: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Nanette Byrnes, Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Ravneet Grewal, Sandra Hackman (COA), Margaret Heitz, Vineet Kumar (Select Board liaison), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz (Chair), Joyce Murphy, Linda Prosnitz (liaison), Michael J Schanbacher, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss (Vice-Chair) Absent: Chris Herbert, Russ Tanner (LexHAB) Guest: Emily DeHoog 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. 1. Call to Order: Housing Partnership Board Meeting Ms. Manz called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. The roll was called. 2. Review and approve the LIP-LAU application submission to EOHLC and vote Ms. Thompson reviewed the development, including the number and type of affordable units (20). The Planning Board did a walkthrough of the property. Ms. Cohen moved that the HPB support the LIP-LAU application and approve Ms. Manz signing the application. Ms. Weiss seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 9-0-0 to approve the motion. 3. Report of AHT Rental Assistance Pilot Program to the SB The pilot program was presented to the Select Board on Monday, March 2 The program was well received. According to Ms. Prosnitz, the AHT issued an RFQ and received one response from MetroWest which will run the program. The AHT will evaluate the program six months after its inception. Next steps after the pilot program will depend on the post-pilot evaluation. 4. Discussion of HPB’s position on Annual Town Meeting Article 25 Surcharge on Specific Residential Development Ms. Manz reviewed Article 25 and its history. The HPB then discussed the points in favor and against Article 25. The HPB concluded that it did not have enough information to take a position regarding the Article. 5. Finalize the reports of the 4 Working Groups Achieving 10%: Ms. Weiss reviewed the presentation for the “Achieving a True 10% Affordable Housing” working group. The working group consisted of Ms. Weiss, Mr. Herbert, Ms. Cohen, and Ms. Heitz. Ms. Weiss reviewed the current status of affordable housing, including permitted and proposed housing developments. She also reviewed Town work to date on creating affordable housing. Ms. Weiss then proposed the short and long-term strategies for creating additional affordable housing and the actions proposed for the Select Board. Exploring housing in the Center: Ms. Byrnes reviewed the presentation for the Center housing group. The working group consisted of Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Weiss, and Ms. Cohen. Ms. Byrnes first presented the committee recommendations regarding adding housing in the Center. This was followed by a brief walk-through of the slides. The sub-committee then fielded questions from the HPB. Smaller, more diverse, less expensive housing in Town: Mr. Grewal reviewed the presentation for this working group. The working group consisted of Ms. Grewal, Mr. Linton, Ms. Joyce, and Ms. Thompson. Communication, education and engagement of the community: Met with the Town Manager who was responsive to the idea of creating an accessible and attractive website. Further work is pending until the goals are presented to the Select Board and the Select Board provides direction. 6. Liaison Reports Community Preservation Commission: Mr. Linton: The CPC report points out that there are two parts to article 10 at Town Meeting that are housing-related: funding for the Affordable Housing Trust and for LexHAB. The CPC report adds additional AHT information due to CPC financial reporting requirements regarding how the AHT money would be spent. 7. Review and approve minutes for Feb. 19, 2026 Review and approval of the minutes was tabled until the next meeting. 8. New Business Ms. Manz encouraged HPB members to donate to and attend the LexHAB Raising the Roof fundraiser. Ms. Manz noted that the presentation to the Select Board will be on April 27. 9. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be on April 9, 2026 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be conducted remotely on Zoom. 10. HPB Adjournment Ms. Weiss moved adjournment. Ms. Cohen seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 11-0-0 to approve the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.