Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-18-HPB-min.pdfLexington Housing Partnership Board Lexington Housing Partnership Board (HPB) Meeting Minutes for December 18, 2025 Attendees: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Nanette Byrnes, Harriet Cohen (Clerk), Ravneet Grewal, Sandra Hackman (COA), Margaret Heitz, Chris Herbert, Christina Lin (Human Rights Committee), Linda Prosnitz (AHT), Paul Linton, Wendy Manz (Chair), Joyce Murphy, Russ Tanner (LexHAB), Betsey Weiss (Vice -Chair) Absent: Cindy Arens (Sustainable Lexington), Vineet Kumar (Select Board liaison), Michael Schanbacher (Planning Board), Melanie Thompson Guest: Bob Pressman 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. Weiss called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. The roll was called. 2. Reports of the 4 Working Groups for the SB Housing Policy Achieving 10% housing: Each member of the task force has been assigned an area to investigate. Work is in progress. Ms. Heitz reported that the Armory might be used for swing space and the Bedford Street property used for housing, but it would be a long path to acquiring the Armory. The group also discussed a possible housing overlay district in Lexington. Housing in the Center: Mr. Hornig provided a history of housing in the Center. Ms. Byrnes attended the Center Committee to better understand issues in the Center. Please attend the HDC meeting in January regarding 16 Clarke Street. (7:14 pm). One other property filed to freeze the regulations. The building formerly occupied by Signature Stationers has been purchased and may eventually be used as mixed commercial and residential, but probably not in the next five years. Smaller and more diverse housing: the subcommittee agreed that work on smaller and more diverse housing will be a long-term effort. For the short term, the subcommittee will seek to find a way to create incentives for redevelopment to go toward the multifamily or middle housing typologies rather than large, single-family homes. The subcommittee will also investigate legislation and principles to create more affordable starter homes, as towns on Cape Cod have done. The subcommittee will also focus on the creation of ADUs. Communication and engagement: The subcommittee reached out to the high school about creating a website. One of the teachers volunteered to help. The subcommittee will be working with him on the website. 3. Dec. 11th ZBA meeting update on the 40 units at Lexington Woods Lowell St There is a delay while waiting for the storm water report. An abutter reported concerns related to flooding in his backyard and has asked the storm water report consultant to investigate the issue. Lexington Housing Partnership Board Ms. Grewal said that she thought the design was excellent, appropriate for the site, and minimized the impact to the neighbors. Ms. Prosnitz reported that the developer has addressed the issues raised by the abutters. The AHT is hoping that the ZBA will vote on the development at their next meeting. 4. HPB discussion and recommendation on Mr. Karl Seidman's Nexus Report and Study for Commercial Linkage rates/fees Ms. Manz recapped the presentation regarding linkage fees at the Select Board meeting. The Select Board will be deciding on commercial linkage fees in an upcoming meeting. They have asked for HPB's recommendation regarding linkage fees. The HPB discussed the consultant's report and offered opinions regarding linkage fee amounts and implementation time frames. The discussion about an implementation time frame focused on implementing sooner rather than later so that the fees are "baked into" the cost estimates of commercial developers. The discussion about the linkage fee amount centered around identifying the highest linkage fee that would not discourage commercial development. The HPB discussed potential exemptions but concluded that there should be no exemptions other than those in the law. The HPB agreed on the following recommendations: ■ The HPB supports the implementation of a linkage fee. ■ The fee should be $9.21, the highest amount that would not impact development according to the consultant's report. ■ The fee should be implemented as soon as feasible but no later than July 1, 2026. Ms. Cohen moved that Ms. Weiss be authorized to write a letter to the Select Board with the recommendations as stated. Nanette seconded. In favor: Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Grewal, Ms. Hackman, Ms. Heitz, Mr. Herbert, Ms. Prosnitz, Paul Linton, Ms. Manz, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Tanner Against: <none> Abstain: Ms. Weiss 5. Liaison reports COA: COA is considering sending a letter to the Select Board regarding the Vine Street housing, specifically to suggest that the housing be restricted to those aged 55 and older, as it is in a good location near Lexington Center. The COA is investigating options to mitigate financial issues facing seniors staying in their houses and the possibility of shared housing. LexHAB: has 85 units in operation, 2 in renovation, with an ADU being added. LexHAB is now a fully independent non-profit organization. The staff is determining changes to accounting and other processes to reflect their new status. LexHAB is also working to refine its policy on the minimum rent amount to ensure that LexHAB can accept residents with low and very low Lexington Housing Partnership Board incomes and still remain financially viable. LexHAB has a development proposal before the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. LexHAB is working on adding 3 additional ADUs for people with extremely low incomes. They will apply for a grant to support this work. Sustainable Lexington: a bill has been filed with the legislature that was intended to aid housing affordability but there were some issues that have impeded its progress. Among other issues, it cuts MassSave support for low-income residents. Low-income residents have burdensome energy bills and the current MassSave programs would reduce the burden. The bill is H.4744. Ms. Arens will let the HPB know If the bill proceeds forward and will ask for the HPB's support in removing the problematic provisions. Affordable Housing Trust: the AHT is working on tenant rental assistance programs. CPC: approved all submitted proposals, including the AHT and the LexHAB proposals. HRC: MLK day is January 19. There are week-long activities to mark the day. 6. Review and approve minutes for Oct. 21, 2025 Ms. Weiss moved approval of the Oct. 21, 2025 minutes. Ms. Hackman seconded the motion. In favor: Ms. Byrnes, Ms. Cohen, Ms. Grewal, Ms. Hackman, Ms. Heitz, Ms. Prosnitz, Paul Linton, Ms. Manz, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Weiss Against: <none> Abstain: Mr. Herbert, Mr. Tanner 7. New Business There was no new business. 8. Set next meeting date The next meeting will be on Jan. 22 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held virtually. 9. HPB Adjournment Ms. Betsey moved adjournment. Ms. Heitz seconded the motion. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the HPB voted by roll call of 10-0-0 to approve the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm.