Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-23-HPB.min Lexington Housing Partnership Meeting Minutes for November 23, 2004 Attendees: Bob Bicknell,Jeri Foutter, Harriet Cohen, Mary Haskell, Donald Graham, Inky MacDougall, Maryann McCall-Taylor, Winifred McGowan, Paul Sodano, Betsy Weiss, Iris Wheaton, Paul Linton,Ed Grant. Bob Bicknell chaired the meeting; Harriet Cohen took the minutes. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm. 1. Review the minutes There were no comments on the minutes from the September and October meetings and they are accepted as written. 2. Hear Reports from Sub-committees. Zoning By-Law Changes (Mary Haskell) No update. HOME Consortium (David Burns) Mr. Burns was not present. We will get his report next month. Housing Trust (Bob Bicknell for Florence Baturin) Federal IRS approval has been received. The trust can now accept money. Exploring Options (Iris Wheaton) The name has been changed from “Land Use” because most of the work that the sub-committee has been doing does not having anything to do with land use. Exploring the feasibility of Establishing tax breaks for houses that are used for affordable housing o Putting affordable housing in Lexington center o Identifying small houses whose footprints are limited because of surrounding wetlands (and o therefore are not candidates for mansionization) 3. Report from the chair 1. “Developing Affordable Housing on Municipal Land Workshop” in Berlin, MA on November 18. Sponsored by DHCD (Department of Housing and Community Development) and MHP (Massachusetts Housing Partnership). Covered the development process, site assessment and request for proposals. Provided an opportunity to connect with staff members and other communities involved in producing affordable housing. Tony Hall was there promoting the Priority Development Fund and attendees were encouraged to participate in a half-day conference providing strategies and information for responding to and reviewing Ch. 40B proposals on Friday morning December 10th in Marlborough. 2. I attended (with Inky MacDougall) the Board of Appeals hearing on the 40B Proposal on Grandview Avenue. Many neighbors voiced their concerns and the Board of Selectmen provided Lexington Housing Partnership a letter with their comments. They stated their concern that the proposal is too intrusive and will have a negative impact on the neighborhood. The Board of Appeals has provided the developer with conditions that must be explained and complied with. This project will eventually require an input from the Partnership if it goes forward. 3. We have an opportunity to request funds from CHAPA (Citizens Housing and Planning Association, Inc.) under their Smart Growth Demonstration Initiative. I would like to see us submit a proposal to obtain funding to support completion of our zoning initiative to produce and obtain approval for an inclusionary zoning article. 4. Status of Homes Development Corp. LIP (Local Initiative Program) proposal for Piper Road (near the Rt 2 on ramp). A meeting was held for neighbors at Temple Emunah on Thursday, November 18th. A meeting is scheduled for December 6 to solicit approval to proceed from the Board of Selectmen. Partnership approval is needed also for the LIP. 5. I attended a meeting of the TMMA Executive Meeting to hear the proposal to turn the Battle Green Inn into condominiums. This proposal will be presented to the community tonight at the National Heritage Museum along with a talk by a noted authority on smart growth development of town centers similar to Lexington. Eric Shapiro, the owner of the Inn, has agreed to present the status of their project to our December Partnership meeting. 4. Review Lexington Consolidated Housing Strategy and Plan – Karen Sobel Ms. Sobel reviewed the plan that was submitted to the WestMetro HOME consortium. A copy of the plan is available upon request to the Town Planning Manager’s office. 5. New Business Appointment of the nominating committee : for nomination of candidates for the office of chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary. Mr. Bicknell and Ms. Cohen indicated that they would be willing to serve for another year. Mr. Burns, the vice-chairperson, was not present. Mr. Linton agreed to be the nominating committee and will contact Mr. Burns to determine if he would be willing to serve another year. Information Center : The chair urged members to consider ways that housing information can be made available to those seeking it. Appointment of Liaisons for Pending Housing Activities: HOMES Development Corp. LIP (near Route 2 ramp off Waltham St.) Chapter 40B at Grandview Ave. Battle Green Condominiums Proposal for 800 housing units at Hanscom Field Chapter 40B on Concord Ave near Old Shade Street Franklin School Apartments Mr. Bicknell will send an e-mail to the Committee, soliciting volunteers to act as liaisons to these efforts related to affordable housing. Lexington Housing Partnership 6. Next Meeting Plans and Adjourn Library meeting room7pm The next meeting will be held on December 16, 2004 in the . . th The January meeting will be January 27 in room G-15 in the town office building. The following meetings will be in the Library meeting room rather than in Town Hall. Thursday, May 19, 2005 Thursday, June 16, 2005 The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.