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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-30-HPB-min-draftMeeting Minutes for Nov 30, 2010 Attendees: Bob Bicknell, Harriet Cohen, Tom Harden, Chris Kluchman, Ken Kreutziger, Winifred McGowan, Betsey Weiss Chris Kluchman chaired the meeting; and took the minutes. The meeting was called to order at 7;30 pin. There was no quorum. Old Business Busa Proposal Follow up Mr. Kreutziger and Ms. Walker summarixed the Nov. 18 BLUPC meeting. They noted that the BLUPC chair has some questions for LHP, Ms_ .K1uGhman will follow up with material for the next BLUPC meeting in December. Leary Property Endorsement for HOME Funds The task force met with neighbors to get input on existing fa 9 rmhouse and potential redevelopment of other portions of the property. The Board of Selectmen didbot support funding for stabilization of the ekisting house. The next Task Force meeting is December 1. Down Payment Assistance Program and CPC grant - update Mr. Bicknell described his proposal for CPC funding which he presented to the CPC. He will meet with the Board of Selectmen at their. 12/6 meeting to review. Mr. Bicknell reported that our consultant will provide a summary about the CPC grant for the Survey of Housing Assistance; programs completed under CPC grant funds. Miscellaneous • Ms. Kluchman is writing a summary of 2010 - for the annual town report. Next year, the LHP should review its accomplishments and develop a set of goals. New Business Introduction of Regional Housing Services Office Ms. Kluchman summarized correspondence from the Town Manager related to a proposal that Lexington participate in a "Shared Housing Staff' project with five other towns. She announced there is a meeting on December 8, 2010 to provide further information, she will attend and report back at the next LHP meeting. Ms. Kluchman will distribute the materials she received from the Town. Ms. Kluchman noted that this seems like a good opportunity to support housing related issues in Lexington. The group discussed the concept. Discuss potential new members The group reviewed the membership list provided by the Town and made updates and corrections, the group brainstormed potential new members, No nominating committee was formed at this time. DRAFT minutes 11/30/10 Lexington Housing Partnership Miscellaneous updates • There is an RFP for possible users of the Dana House, which is for sale (corner of Mass Ave and Worthen Street) • The Center committee is reviewing possibility of taller maximum height in the Center district. • Mr. Bicknell attended the lottery at Lexington Courtyard (new development ort Lowell Street) that has 3 affordable units. Committee Reports Metro West Collaborative: Homebuilding non - profit received a grant of $60,000 from The Boston Foundation, can provide assistance to LHP in terms of advice on development of affordable housing. Good resource for the Town. The next meeting will be held on January 27, 2011. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm. 2 DRAFT minutes 11/30/10 ................. Lexington Housing Partnership: Building a Diverse, Vibrant Lexington IN • ................... i ELECTED a i Chair, Chris Kluchman, AICP Vice Chair, Kenneth Kruetzinger, FAICP Secretary, Carol Marine HIGHLIGHTS: + Continued to work with LexHAB to increase affordable housing opportunities in Town. Participated on the ad hoc Leary Property Community Housing Task Force to advise the Selectmen on how affordable housing can be built on the site. • Created and presented a multi -use concept plan for the Busa property for the Busa Land Use Proposal Committee, The concept plan included affordable housing, community farm, and athletic field. • Continued to educate town entities and citizens on the need for Affordable Housing Assistance programs including a private and CPA funded down payment and closing cost assistance program for first time homebuyers of available deed restricted condominiums in town. • Maintained operation of a website at www. LexingtonHousingPartnership.org to identify programs and opportunities for affordable housing in Lexington and to publicize committee meetings, agendas an minutes. a 4 • Advocated continued acceptance of the ng law and defeating the article on the ballot to repeal it. • Supported Town Meeting warrant articles to use CPA funds in support of affordable housing projects. • Supported the project at Countryside Manor to provide smaller and inherently affordable housing units and encouraged the developer to provide additional 80% AMI affordable units that would count in Lexington's subsidized housing inventory. • Participated with the towns of Belmont, Watertown and Waltham on the Metro West Collaborative Builders, Inc. to evaluate and develop affordable housing across these communities. • Supported the Lexington Housing Foundation, Inc. and promoted a Cambridge Savings Foundation grant to provide funding to Lexington in support of affordable housing. MEMORANDUM LKP M� DATE: November 30, 2010 TO: Richard Reed, Bedford; Chris Whelan, Concord; Carl Valente, Lexington; Timothy Higgins, Lincoln; Maureen Valente, Sudbury; Donna VanderClock, Weston FROM: Jennifer M. Raitt, Chief Housing Planner RE: Six -Town Municipal Affordable Housing Services - Summary Memo The following provides an overview and detail of the steps MAPC has taken to explore , :options for sharing housing administrative services among the Towns of Bedford, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Sudbury, and Weston. The :Initial Premise of this initiative began in 2008 and 2009 with the following intention: regionalization of housing activities and services could lie .a valuable collaborative approach to affordable housing solutions. The early. stages of this effort were undertaken by the municipal managers of the HATS communities consisting of Bedford, Concord, Lexington and Lincoln. Independent of this effort, MAPC had been exploring a simila concept for communities in the MetroWest region. After several months of investigation and cdiscussion the HATS group contacted MAPC and learned of the initiative underway in the MertoWest area. The two efforts then converged. By assisting communities with implementing their goals to create permanently affordable homes for individuals and families with low, moderate, and middle incomes, the MetroWest Regional Affordable Housing project could help maintain balanced and diverse housing options. Phase I of the MAPC initiative involved securing District Local Technical Assistance funding from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council for assistance with research and potential models for shared services for affordable housing administration. The MetroWest Regional Collaborative. (then MWGMC) received the DLTA grant through Metropolitan Area Planning Council to research MetroWest housing activities and opportunities to collaborate regionally. Additionally, MWRC researched regional housing trust models and design a model to support MetroWest regional housing activities. For the first task, staff began working in August 2009 to create and administer a survey to MetroWest communities, including outreach to communities from the Southwest Area Planning Council and Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC) subregions of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. 60 Temple Place, Boston, MA ©21 1 1 - 617- 451 -277th - Fax 617- 482 -7185 - www.mapc.org f - z ter: wrc. � �v. ctie �< ,� -�.�. JI6 ���:1 %n��fy� rij 0 r - -, flE 'I ^� 1 S r =['roc >p d - @!c ti5- t o 1 - .. .. ,. .. _� u._, �E?!. �'I�Gf„ �'3rc. S . �[�C�. _!F.. ,.. �`v� . . E.i; P m ., . %C�_ . i!!'�: .. Fallowing the research report developed in Phase 1, the next phase intended to develop a regional trust and work to launch the program to serve communities in both the MetroWest and MAGIC subregions of MAPC. Staff then presented the Phase I results to the West Suburban Managers group to gain input and discuss next steps. A smaller group of Town Managers formed to pursue a Phase 11 pilot project. For Phase 11, MAPC performed a Housing Services Assessment of municipal time and funding expended on affordable housing by the communities of Concord, Lincoln, Bedford, Lexington, Weston, and Sudbury. MAPC worked with Town Managers from these communities to analyze results, identify overlapping services/ issues and develop and gain consensus on services Concurrent with the Assessment, MAPC researched various models for the communities: • Creation of an Inter - municipal Agreement (IMA) • Creation of a Shared Services District • Securing an outside consultant to provide services to the Towns • Creating a separate, private nonprofit 501 (c)(3) The results of this research on models and the Assessment showed that, because Sudbury already had on staff a housing specialist with experience assisting most of the other towns with previous housing monitoring and other services as well as capacity to expand these services, the other five Towns would benefit from a relationship with the Town of Sudbury in the following services areas: • Monitoring; ■ Ready Buyer/ Ready Renter List; * Administration of the HOME Program; and r Affordable Housing Planning and Advocacy. A financial model was developed from the information provided in the Assessment. Town Managers confirmed their interest in pursuing the IMA fee - for - services model for the above- listed services. MAPC then drafted an IMA for the five Towns to contract with the Town of Sudbury for services. The Town of Sudbury began drafting a more thorough service and delivery model. This service model is still under development and includes refinement to the suite of services and confirmed participation by the communities by making presentations to local Housing Officials and Boards of Selectmen. MAPC with the Town of Sudbury is also making presentations to State Housing Officials The next steps include confirming a timeline for action and implementation of the Inter - municipal Agreement. The proposed launch date of a regional Housing Services Office and accompanying Regional Housing Service Fund would be on July 1, 2011 or earlier for those communities wishing to begin implementing the program in FYI 1. For further questions about next steps or actions by individual communities, please contact me at 617 451 2770 x 2056. Sincerely, Jennifer M. Raitt Chief Housing Planner 12/6/2010 A+C F"t ' . ' A t '(f3 JIt REGIONAL HOUSING SERVICES OFFICE Presentation by Jennifer M. Raitt, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Beth Rust, Town of Sudbury Meeting Objective • Introduce Proiect Background ■ High -level analysis over 18 months • Describe Proposal ■ More detailed and focused analysis • Obtain Feedback and Suggestions ■ Comments from broader community welcome • Provide Current Status • Open comment period with State, Local Boards, Selectmen ■Adjustments to be made 1 12/6/2410 Phase I Staff created and administered a survey in 2009 to a broad group of communities in the MAPC region to primarily identify: NMunicipal and private affordable housing goals and activities; m Housing contacts, including a lead community housing contact; ■Capacity of municipality to address affordable housing issues (staff, funds, etc.) and the subsequent technical assistance needed; Phase 11 o MAPC conducted a Housing Services Assessment of municipal time and funding expended on affordable housing by the communities of Concord, Lincoln, Bedford, Lexington, Weston, and Sudbury. o MAPC worked with Town Managers from these communities to analyze results, identify overlapping services issues and develop and gain consensus on services 3 Service Model Benefits MW Memberoommunities receive Bedford Concord Lexington Lincoln Weston adminisEral €ve housing services for annual fee per IMA incArding_ o • Monitoring _ L� Xg u Permit, • HOME Program �,� \ - • local Support •,,, ..�' • Regional efforts Maintain Resource Efficiency -- Resdent selection housing stock Leverage Existing Resources Regional Approach • Common Solutions for Common Challenges Town of Sudbury de €ivers • Housing through the Mimitipol tens Town Ot $Ud l1U housing seovioes e through estabF:shirg a Rgional Regional Housing Services Office and Housing Services office and Regional Regional Housing Services Revolving Fund corresponding revmving fund Sudbu,y housing staff -- ......_,._...__.._.____._ i delivers services to RHSO, Suddury Additional augmented as required by Housing Housing Staffl add7ionals ciaEized Pe Staff contractors Ctirs i housing resources I _.. . - ----] Regional Benefits ry� Helping Municipalities Proactive Compliance Monitoring Plan, • Preserve Linits Permit, ' Maintain Housing Inventory Monitor and Maintain Resource Efficiency their afforda ;� Access to Regignal Renters and Buyers housing stock Leverage Existing Resources Regional Approach • Common Solutions for Common Challenges • Housing through the Mimitipol tens 5 12/6/2010 Start Up Timing ❑ Inter- municipal Agreement starts 7/2011, 2 -Year Term C3 Establish a Regional Housing Services Office and Fund ■ Separate and comprehensive records of services and funds ❑ Ability to start March or April on an interim basis 0 Community -by- community choice, through separate interim WA so Coordination and .Management ❑ Advisory Committee, one member from each municipality 13 Meet quarterly al Discuss and resolve issues o May admit up to three additional adjacent municipalities ❑ Implementation Plan to be developed with each Town 17 Establish local request process 13 Review current active projects, prioritize 9 av o March for interim, July for others � �q��Q ❑ Adjustments �Q° 13 Annual review of allocation of hours ❑ Termination CI Any Municipality, by a vote of its respective Board of Selectmen, may terminate this Agreement with at least six months notice 19 12/6/2010 Feedback, comments, suggestions, questions CD CL . m s ■ ~ O \� } jvuo , � 3 1 ® ° oz £ -RE u ƒ 2c . \.ƒ \ \,\; . \L \� . \ ƒ\,ƒ / \b.0 .. .� * £ � .� v f # : � f � .* �f � .\ .f f � t / # .4 .� / 0 H I I C CF) 0 tL 0 0 > ce W 0 .2 0 c p it CL 0 ro CD 4V 0 CL 0 u (D 4) (D , a 0 4- C A. 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V1 a m I -01- IL - >- w L) a 0 0 0 OJ 0) E w c w c to c (v u L c , , ' W " , l q j u U fa :E w 0 0 , 0 Q� u Z, u 1; M U cr L'i CL C % 4 \ .ke .® Q CL .C- (D _V .® cn (D _V LL a) 0 C;) V F-- N v C 3 ` ,� o .V a r SZ 0 r� _ � > CL -C N tn Q U � _0 Q V O � wJ 0 -C L >.-� CL O O a ' - •� v a E .(D LL - © . 'a F ::E V co V ,> •� as a •; ® cu u () ,- —$ .� c u3 o 4 4. s� (D a� CL a rC Lu 0 ( , Lexington Housing Partnership Board Meeting Minutes for October 28, 2010 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Room 207 Town Hall Attendees: Winifred McGowan, Julie Duncan, Tom Harden, Chris Kluchman, Wendy Manz, Mary Haskell, Melinda Walker, Bob Bicknell, Florence Baturin, Harriet Cohen, Carol Marine, Karen Sunnaborg, Maryann McCall - Taylor , N i k 6u , ki Chris Kluchman chaired the meeting; Carol Marine took the minutes. The Meeting was called to order at 7:35, . 1. Approval of Minutes for September The Motion to approve Minutes for the September meeting, as amended, was passed. 2. Presentation to Bob Bicknell Bob Bicknell was honored for his unprecedented tenure on the Partnership. Norman Cohen read from the Proclamation issued to Mr. Bicknell by the Board of Selectman noting that Bob came to him in 2001 and asked to form the Partnership. Florence Baturin presented a plaque which recognized Bob's accomplishments and Chris Kluchman read a statement from Betsey Weiss citing Bob's accomplishments over the last decade. 3. Open Meeting _Law Maryann McCall- Taylor gave a presentation on the Open Meeting Law (OML), its regulations, interpretations and nuances. The text can be found via a link to the Office of the Attorney General on the Town of Lexington website. Ms. Kluchman indicated that the Partnership needs to exercise a "reasonableness" standard with regard to transparency in the conduct of its business while maintaining its ability to act. Ms. Haskell was troubled by the ill defined notion of "action." There was general agreement that the Partnership should be mindful of the OML with regard to all Partnership business. 4. Committee Reports a) Musa Farm Land Use Committee — Chris Kluchman A subcommittee of Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Kluckman, Mr. Harden and Mr. Kreutizger completed a concept plan for the site. lets. Kluchman presented the committee's multiuse proposal which included approximately 24 units of affordable housing in two buildings together with parking, a NCAA compliant lacrosse /soccer field with parking and five acres of agricultural space. It was generally agreed that the concept plan was designed in a way that was sensitive to the site constraints as well as the concerns of abutters. Ms. Kluchman indicated that it is anticipated that units would be rented to residents at or below 80% of AMl and some would require Section 8. All units would qualify for the SHL r Lexington Housing Partnership Minutes 1 DRAFT October 28, 2010 6X Next steps will include eng Bing Steve LaFerriere to run a pro forma and contacting the Ox4�ow developers, Wayland to gather information on green development on that site. It was noted that Janet Kern from the Lexington Community Sponsored Agriculture proposed that the entire site be used for the sole purpose of farming while Lexington Recreation Department proposed a mixed use development that included affordable housing, recreational use and some agriculture. Mr. Bicknell asked that we confirm that the Partnership and Lexhab are making a joint proposal to the Busa subcommittee. agreed. Ms. Manz is impressed with the level of detail in the concept plan and all The plan was approved by unanimous vote of the Partnership. b) Down Payment Assistance Program (ADDI) — Karen Sunnarborg Ms. Sunnarborg reported on the status of the down payment assistance program to cover closing costs. The next lottery is expected to occur on Nov. 29 for the Lexington Courtyard property on Lowell Street. It is hoped that we can establish one program for all properties starting with Lexington Courtyard. The proposal will use fluids from the Lexington Foundation to cover closing costs on affordable units for residents that have been vetted by the lottery agent and have qualified for financing. Ms. Sunnarborg points to the increase in closing costs from $2000 to $4000 and that absence of the $8000 tax credit as reasons for offering this financing. All units using this financing will qualify for the SHI. It is anticipated that using $10,000 will cover three to four purchasers. Mr. Harden articulated a reason against this advance stating that if a borrower could not afford to commit the 3% of the purchase price then it raises a concern that such buyer might not have the financial wherewithal to make the ongoing financial V commitment to the property. �q i1" Ms. McGowan asked about making the funds a In rather than a gWnt/Vls. Sunnaborg indicated that we could make a "term loan ". Both Ms. Sunnaborg and Mr. Bicknell indicated that this assistance could give the additional boost to buyers who are otherwise qualified. After motion and second to use funds, the vote was passed. (Temporary adjournment to hold meeting of the Lexington Housing Foundation) Lexington Housing Partnership Minutes 2 DRAFT October 28, 2010 c) Metro West Collaborative Development, lnc. — Bob Bicknell Mr. Bicknell reported that he and Mr. Kreutziger represent the LIP on this collaborative effort. The Metro West Collaborative applied for a grant frorn the Boston Foundation. A meeting is forthcoming. d) Leary Land - Bob Bicknell Ms. Manz, Ms. Weiss and Mr. Bicknell .met with the ad hoe committee and voted to present to CPC a proposal for funds for pre development work in the amount of approximately $30,000 for design work and services necessary to insure the stability of the structure. There ensued a lively discussion as to whether the farm house is worth keeping. Lexhab thinks not. e) 40B — Carol Marine Ms. Marine reported on the implications of the defeat of the repeal of 40B. The defeat is seen as a strong message that the electorate values affordable housing as a state wide goal. Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) will be working with various communities throughout the state to consider state and local housing policy initiatives as a result of the vote, 5) New business Mr. Bicknell pointed out that there is are RFP for the Dana House property. The property is listed by LeSter Savage and the asking price is $1.9 M. Mr. Bicknell indicated that the Metro st Collaborative should look at his property. f�f Next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 30` Move to adjourn at 9:40. Respectfully submitted, Carol Marine. Clerk Lexington Housing Partnership Minutes 3 DRAFT October 28, 2010