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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-10-HPB-min :: :: MAP Lexington Housing Partnership Board Meeting Minutes for December 10,2020 Attendees: Harriet Cohen,Jeri Foutter, Paul Linton, Wendy Manz, Robert Peters, Bob Pressman, Rich McDonough, Melanie Thompson, Melinda Walker, Betsey Weiss The Housing Partnership Board (HPB) meeting was chaired by Jeri Foutter and minutes were taken by Harriet Cohen. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:03. 2. Approve Prior Minutes Ms. Walker moved approval of the minutes of October 27, 2020. Mr. Peters seconded the motion.The minutes were approved unanimously. Ms. Walker moved approval of the minutes of November 5, 2020. Ms.Thompson seconded the motion.The minutes were approved unanimously. 3. Board Member Updates ■ Planning Board Mr. Peters spoke about the discussion on systemic racism at the most meeting of the Planning Board.The Board considered the confluence of systemic racism and housing policy. Mr. Hornig noted at that meeting that the 1925 adoption of zoning referred to keeping out cheap housing, so this is not a new issue.The Planning Board will seek to address this issue and mitigate the impact of systemic racism on housing. ■ LexHAB Mr. Pressman reported two items from the most recent LexHAB meeting: (1) Suzie Barry, Select Board member was asked to explain the disposition of funds raised from Article 6, "Authorize Special Legislation Development Surcharge for Community Housing". She said that the money raised from the surcharge would go into the general housing fund. (2) A task force was formed to prepare for the next public meeting regarding the 116 Vine Street affordable housing project. ■ Lexington Housing Authority Ms. Walker: no updates at this meeting. ■ Council on Aging This topic was tabled until the next meeting. ■ SPRD Committee Ms. Weiss: sent the latest version of the SPRD proposal to the HPB.The SPRD committee will convene a half day meeting to make substantial progress on the proposal. Ms. Manz commended the SPRD Committee on its work to date. ■ Resources for Renters, Homeowners, and Landlords Ms.Thompson: Resources are available for renters, homeowners, and landlords. Pointers to the information are posted on the Lexington Town website. Ms.Thompson suggested :: :: MAP Lexington Housing Partnership Board putting that information on the Lexington Housing Partnership website. 4. Outcome of Lexington Housing Foundation (LHF)CPC Proposal Article Ms. Foutter recapped the interaction between the LHF and the Community Preservation Commission (CPC). Ms. Foutter recognized the efforts of Ms. Walker and Mr. Pressman in supporting the proposal in discussions with Town Counsel and the Town Manager. S. Hosmer House Resolution Ms. Weiss: is on the Hosmer House Working Group. At the most recent meeting in November, the group supported moving the Hosmer House to 3 Harrington Road.The proposal is that the Hosmer House be sited on the parcel fronting on the road and that affordable housing be site on the parcel in back. Everyone on the Hosmer House Working Group, including the chair of the Historical District Commission, was in favor of this proposal. At the Select Board, there was input from the Harrington Road neighbors.They objected to any changes related to the historic Lexington Battle Green.Three members of the Select Board had concerns about the proposal. Ms. Foutter asked Mr. Sandeen when the Hosmer House would next be discussed at the Select Board meeting. Mr. Sandeen said that a date had not yet been set. 6. Outcome of Article 6 at Town Meeting Article 6, Authorize Special Legislation Development Surcharge for Community Housing, was discussed and approved at Town Meeting. Amendments were proposed, but none passed. Mr. Daggett made a very effective presentation at Town Meeting in favor of the article.The state legislature must approve the surcharge as it requires a home rule petition of the legislature. 7. 116 Vine Street affordable Housing Planning Phase Event and LHP follow up ideas Mr. Pressman and other HPB members discussed the elements of the presentation, including architect Collin Smith's description of LexHAB's initial concept, seven apartment units, some to be fully accessible, on the 30,000 square foot parcel. HPB members noted points raised by the abutters: unit maximum should be two;traffic and safety concerns exacerbated; in 2011, one member of the Board of Selectmen stated that the Town would place one or two units on the site. HPB members noted that the full Board did not adopt this position. Mr. Pressman complimented members Melinda Walker and Betsey Weiss for their statements during the December 9th event. Each provided facts supportive of the LexHAB proposal. LexHAB chair Bob Burbidge stated that there would be an additional presentation and input opportunity in January, 2021. 8. Description of standards regarding the moderate income/workforce housing units at Emerson Gardens project The Planning Board is continuing to research and evaluate what an appropriate AMI should be for workforce units in new multi-family developments. There are plans to research the salary ranges of both municipal and school employees in Lexington. :: :: MAP Lexington Housing Partnership Board 9. MetroWest HOME Consortium Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Ms. Walker has shared Ms. Rust's email with a draft report on the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.The HOME Consortium is accepting comments until January 6. 10. Land Acquisition for Stakeholders Ms. Weiss shared the resolution that she drafted regarding participation by the Housing Partnership Board and the Conservation Committee in land acquisition discussions.The goal is that all impacted groups should be included in the initial negotiation, including housing.The HPB recommended that the resolution specify that all CPA stakeholders be included in the initial discussion and negotiation of all CPA-funded land acquisitions and use. Because it is too late for the Housing Partnership Board to submit the proposal to the Select Board for Spring Town Meeting, the HPB will target submission for the Fall Town Meeting. 11. New Business Ms. Foutter referenced information from Ms. Walker regarding Brookline lowering the local preference percentage to foster more racial diversity in Brookline. Ms. Walker suggested that Lexington consider a similar action for the same reason. Lexington Housing Authority can set a lower preference percentage than 70%, which is the practice in Lexington. A lower preference percentage could also be implemented through the permitting proves for special permits at the Planning Board. 12. Action Items No action items were identified. 13. Set Next Meeting Date The next meeting will be on Thursday,January 21, 2020. 14. Adjournment Ms. Weiss moved adjournment, Ms. Cohen seconded the motion.The motion was approved unanimously.The meeting adjourned at 9:20.