HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-16-LEARY-min Meeting Notes
Ad hoc Leary Property Community Housing Task Force
September 13, 2010 9 00 a.m.
Room 207, Town Office Building
Present: Bob Bicknell, George Burnell, Marilyn Fenollosa, Stephen Keane,Wendy
Manz, Deb Mauger, Maryann McCall-Taylor, Lester Savage and Betsey Weiss
Absent: Bill Hays,Aaron Henry,
Housekeeping
■ Lex Savage elected chair
■ Minutes of August 25, 2010 approved
General discussion
■ Community Preservation Coalition- Maryann McCall-Taylor reported that she
had talked with Kathy Roth and Stuart Saginor regarding the use of CPA
money The money for the acquisition was appropriated from the Open Space
Reserve,the Unbudgeted Reserves and the Undesignated Fund Balance of the
Community Preservation Fund, so the source of the funds would not limit the
use (i.e. historic preservation or community housing),but the scope of the
article appears to limit it to community housing. Although the report spoke
of historic preservation,the motion only mentioned conservation and
community housing purposes. Mr Saginor felt that the only use allowed for
the 30,022 square foot lot is community housing. It would have to go back to
Town Meeting to change to a historic preservation use, and probably would
need a 2/3's vote. If it were to be a historic preservation project,there would
need to be a deed restriction approved by the Mass Historical Commission.
They might require adherence to the Secretary of the Interior's standards.
■ Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) - Shelly Goehring had
been contacted regarding affordable housing development. She felt that a
market rate unit could be included in the development but no CPA funds
could be used, so a proportion of land costs would have to be allocated to the
market rate unit.
■ Existing house- There was a wide-ranging discussion about the future of the
existing house. Should it be preserved as part of a community farm? Could
we honor the past use by putting up a plaque and developing housing that in
the style of New England farm houses as done in Bedford? How do we
provide affordable housing in a challenged structure?What do the neighbors
want? Could a person with affordable level income afford the construction
costs? Perhaps the year of the demolition delay could be used to find a
curator? Would it be possible to live in the house while restoring it? Have the
Building Commission look at the house and outline the minimum to get a
Certificate of Occupancy Does putting other units on the site destroy the
historic value?
■ Site Development and Density- Bob Bicknell reported that Metro West
Community Developers, Inc. was not interested in a 6 unit development;
probably ten was the minimum for their involvement. He also spoke with
John Jubelo at the Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD) who felt they would be luck to get 7 units on site. It was suggested
that LexHAB be asked for what they want and would be looking for Steve
Keane said that the Housing Authority would need more decisions first
regarding the number of units and the fate of the existing house,but he could
see a low-income rental development, or a mixed low and medium income
development. The biggest demand is for low-income two bedroom units.
Action items
■ Concept Plans - Sasaki and Ross Spears to be contacted
■ Site visit- for September 20 with Building Commissioner
■ Meet with Building Commissioner
■ Explore curatorship program - does the building need to be free-standing?
■ Meeting with the neighbors
Next meetings Monday, September 20 at 9 00 a.m., site visit at 116 Vine Street
Monday, October 4 at 9 00 a.m., Room 207 Town Office Building
Documents
Minutes of August 25, 2010
Excerpt of 2009 CPC Report to Town Meeting
Motion under TM 2009 Article 12 "Land Purchase off Vine Street"