HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-29-HPB-minLexington Housing Partnership Board
Meeting Minutes for October 29, 2019
Attendees: Bob Peters, Harriet Cohen, Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Wendy Manz, Paul Linton, Bob
Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Melinda Walker, Betsey Weiss
Absent: Rich McDonough
Guests: Nancy Corcoran-Ronchetti
The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by
Harriet Cohen. The meeting was called to order at 6:53 pm.
1. Call to Order and Approve Prior Minutes
The approval of the minutes was tabled until the next Housing Partnership Board meeting.
2. 186 Bedford Street
Kudos to Ms. Weiss for her efforts to coordinate the 186 Bedford Street work and for keeping
the Housing Partnership Board updated with changing events.
LexHAB voted to support the 186 Bedford Street development.
Ms. Weiss reported that the Planning Board wanted to reduce the allowed decibels in the
Memorandum of Understanding from 10 decibels (dB) above ambient to 5 dBs above ambient.
The Select Board did not act on the change at the Oct. 21 meeting. The Select Board will vote on
the change at their Nov. 4 meeting.
The postcards supporting the 186 Bedford Street to be sent to Town Meeting Members will be
printed shortly.
3. Planning Board Update
Mr. Peters reported on a joint meeting of the Planning Board with the Economic Development
Committee and the Select Board regarding the rezoning of Hartwell Ave. There was discussion
as to whether to have mixed use (residential and commercial) on Hartwell Ave. The current
thinking is that there will be a warrant on the agenda for spring Town Meeting.
4. Council on Aging Update
The update was tabled until the next meeting.
5. CPC / LexHAB Update
Housing Authority requested funds from the CPC for the community building at Greeley Village.
LexHAB requested $75,000 from the CPC for the first phase of the Leary project. It was decided
to include consideration of using the Hosmer House as part of the Leary work. Am amount of
$100,000 was voted for the project.
LexHAB also requested an additional $323.,000 from the CPC for the Lowell Street housing. The
CPC took a straw vote on the funds but wanted additional information as to exactly what the
funds would be used for.
Lexington Housing Partnership Board
6. Lexington Housing Authority Update
There were no updates regarding the Lexington Housing Authority.
7. SPRD Update
Ms. Weiss reported that the committee has a first draft of the report of the SPRD to Special
Town Meeting.
Some of the key takeaways are:
■ Improving predictability
■ Reducing time to obtain a permit
■ Creating affordable housing
■ Creating "visit -ability" — accessibility for visitors
■ Maintaining flexibility for site-specific development
■ Creating housing suitable for all ages
8. New Business
Ms. Foutter received a request from the Select Board to review a letter from the Needham
Select Board regarding Needham's request to join them in protesting the proposed legislation
that changes the requirement for two thirds vote of town meeting to approve rezoning changes
to a simple majority.
Ms. Walker moved that the HPB write a letter to the Lexington Select Board stating that HPB
strongly disagrees with the Needham Select Board support of the two thirds rezoning
requirement. The letter will include the HPB's reasoning for its disagreement with the Needham
Select Board letter. Ms. Weiss seconded the motion. The HPB approved the motion
unanimously.
Ms. Foutter will draft a response and send it to the HPB prior to sending it to the Select Board.
Ms. Weiss asked whether the Nov. 4 joint meeting with the Select Board has been confirmed.
The meeting is confirmed. The purpose of the meeting is to educate both Boards on the 40R and
40S legislation.
Ms. Haskell asked about the lottery for the Jefferson Drive affordable housing. The RHSO held
the lottery for the housing and drew the names of the families who will go through the process
of meeting affordability requirements and the process for securing financing.
Mr. Pressman mentioned that multiple boards have held executive sessions regarding the
purchase of a large parcel of land on Highland Avenue. It is publicly known that the Conservation
Committee put in a line item for purchase of the land for use as open space and community
housing. There will be further discussion in executive session.
9. Action Items
Ms. Foutter and Ms. Cohen will update the action item list.
10. Set Next Meeting Date
The next meeting will Monday, November 25.
11. Adjourn
Lexington Housing Partnership Board
Ms. Weiss moved adjournment, Ms. Thompson seconded. The motion was passed unanimously
at 8:38 pm.