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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.