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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-20-HPB-min :: :: MAP Lexington Housing Partnership Board Meeting Minutes for August 20,2020 Attendees: Harriet Cohen,Jeri Foutter, Mary Haskell, Paul Linton, Bob Peters, Bob Pressman, Melanie Thompson, Betsey Weiss Absent: Wendy Manz, Rich McDonough, Melinda Walker Guest: Charles Hornig 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 7:09 pm. 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Prior Minutes Ms. Weiss moved approval of the minutes of July 16, 2020. Ms.Thompson seconded the motion. Mr. Pressman abstained from the vote; all other members voted in favor of approval. 3. Board Member Updates ■ Planning Board Mr. Peters: most of the items on the development agenda for the spring meeting were postponed because of financial issues.The development items will be on the Special fall town meeting warrant list. Hearings are planned at the September Planning Board meetings on September 2, 9, and 14 and possibly also on September 23. ■ LexHAB Mr. Pressman said that LexHAB reported that no Vine Street residents had come to view the Farmview units. ■ Lexington Housing Authority No updates at this meeting. ■ Council on Aging No update at this meeting. ■ SPRD Committee Two meetings, 7/21 and Tuesday.Jennifer Van Campen, Executive Director at Metro West Collaborative Development, spoke on Zoom at the July 21 SPRD Committee meeting. Her key point was that to get state credit and state aid, at least 25 units would need to be built. Smaller developments are an equal amount of work.The state is very unlikely to fund developments of under 10 units. Ted Brovitz, the SPRD consultant, talked about pocket neighborhoods and other housing types. He recommended changing the name of the Bylaw from SPRD to "Flexible Residential Developments" or"Balanced Residential Developments". Ms. Weiss is recommending that the density bonus add clarity as to the public benefit, especially regarding affordable and attainable housing. Need to incentivize zoning to get more units. :: :: MAP Lexington Housing Partnership Board The SPRD committee will be seeking community input at a later date. 4. CPC Proposal to Identify Possible 40R Overlay Districts Ms. Cohen proposed asking the Lexington Housing Foundation to apply for a CPC grant to obtain funding for hiring a consultant to identify 40R overlay districts. Mr. Horning pointed out that it may not be in the remit of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC)to provide such funding: Community Preservation Act funding is for the creation of housing. The Board suggested that Ms. Cohen investigate whether funding a consultant is a permissible use of CPA funds. Ms. Cohen will investigate. She will also follow up with Amanda Loomis to discuss whether the town would be willing to fund such a study. Ms. Foutter will pursue obtaining estimates for the services of a consultant. S. Economic Development Bill No update at this meeting. 6. HPB Votes on Re-appointments The appointments of Ms. Walker, Ms.Thompson, and Ms. Foutter to the HPB are due for a 3 year renewal appointment. Ms. Haskell moved that Ms. Walker be re-appointed to the HPB for 3 years. Mr. Linton seconded the motion. Ms. Walker abstained from the vote; all other HPB members voted in favor. Ms. Haskell moved that Ms. Foutter be re-appointed to the HPB for 3 years. Mr. Linton seconded the motion. Ms. Foutter abstained from the vote; all other HPB members voted in favor. Ms. Haskell moved that Ms.Thompson be re-appointed to the HPB for 3 years. Mr. Linton seconded the motion. Ms.Thompson abstained from the vote; all other HPB members voted in favor. Ms. Haskell moved that Ms. Weiss be re-appointed to the HPB for 3 years. Mr. Linton seconded the motion. Ms. Weiss abstained from the vote; all other HPB members voted in favor. Ms. Foutter thanked both Ms. Weiss and Ms.Thompson for their excellent service. Ms. Weiss thanked Ms. Foutter for all of her work and excellent service. 7. New Business Ms. Foutter reminded the HPB members to fill out the town form that requests contact information. Ms. Haskell noted that 21 mayors and town managers have sent Gov. Baker a letter requesting $6M for a legal support for tenants who are under rent stress. Ms. Foutter attended a WebEx saying that most landlords are represented by legal counsel in court, but very few tenants are.The tenants are unprepared to defend themselves. Mr. Linton recommended reading Mr. Grant's opinion piece in the Lexington Minute Man. :: :: MAP Lexington Housing Partnership Board 8. Action Items Ms. Cohen: determine whether the hiring of a consultant to identify potential 40R Smart growth zones is a permitted use of CPA funds. Ms. Foutter to obtain estimates for a consultant, should such a consultant be a permissible use of CAP funds. 9. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7:00 pm. 10. Adjourn Ms. Cohen moved adjournment and Ms.Thompson seconded the motion.The motion passed unanimously.