Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-15-CPC-min Minutes of the Community Preservation Committee Monday, November 15, 2010 3:00 pm Room 207 Town Offices Present: Board Members: Wendy Manz,Chair; Marilyn Fenollosa, Vice-Chair; Joel Adler, Norman Cohen, Jeanne Krieger, Leo McSweeney, Sandy Shaw, Betsey Weiss and Dick Wolk. Administrative Assistant : Nathalie Rice Also in attendance was David Kanter, member of the Capital Expenditures Committee (CEC) and Glen Parker, Chair of the Appropriations Committee (AC) The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm by Ms. Manz. 1. Approval of Minutes –White House Minutes from the meeting of November 8th were approved as amended. Stabilization - Pat Goddard, Director of Facilities, and Mark Barrett, Project Manager met with the Committee to discuss the stabilization of the White House. Mr. Goddard reported that the Historic Structure Report (HSR) funded with CPA funds in FY11 is due to be completed in December or early January. The report will outline the significant historic features of the building, and suggest priorities for stabilization. The CPC had a lengthy discussion about the present status and future use of the building. Ms. Fenollosa clarified the HDC ruling regarding the building, stating that the HDC said it might be amenable to selective demolition of non-historic parts of the building, depending on the design ultimately presented to it for approval. The HDC cannot mandate a use or particular design for the building, she explained, but they would like to see a historic portion of the building preserved as an architecturally significant element in a larger structure. There were divergent views on the Committee regarding preserving the White House. Some members noted that the land on which the White House sits is valuable, and felt that a new building on the site could be an attractive focal point for those entering Town from the southeast. Others noted that because of the building’s history and the Town’s commitment to Lexington’s heritage, the White House deserved special consideration and warranted preservation of a portion of the structure. Mr. Kanter said the CEC eagerly anticipated the completion of the HSR and the identification of necessary stabilization measures. The alternative to doing nothing to stabilize the building, he commented, could lead to demolition by default. Mr. Goddard explained that after the receipt of the Historic Structure Report, there would be an evaluation of the alternatives for the stabilization of the White House. He said it would not be until FY13 that funds would be needed for such stabilization work. Ms. Fenollosa questioned whether it made sense to at least paint the building this fiscal year, but Mr. Goddard answered that there were structural and decay issues that would need to be dealt with prior to any painting. 2. Muzzey Senior Center Upgrades, Phase I – Mr. Goddard was joined by Charlotte Rodgers, Director of Human Services, to discuss a proposal for funding upgrades to the Senior Center in the Muzzey School Condominium Building. Mr. Goddard explained that the design study funded with CPA funds for FY11 had not yet been commenced. Due to the timing of the study, he said the Senior Center would not be seeking implementation funds for FY12. Ms. Rodgers did, however, make a presentation to the Committee and outlined the major items that would need upgrading. These included accessibility for wheelchairs and the replacement of the HVAC system. There was considerable discussion of the HVAC system, which Mr. Adler noted had been repaired three years earlier. Ms. Rodgers explained that the repairs at that time had been to the air conditioning system which functions quite reliably. She noted, however, that the heating system is in poor working condition, and she explained that in periods of heavy snow or rain the condensers on the roof often shut down, resulting in no ventilation in the building. 1 Ms. Weiss questioned why the request for CPA funding had risen from $250,000 last fiscal year to $315,000 this fiscal year. Mr. Goddard said Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc. had given the estimate of the costs last fiscal year, and noted that the components of this year’s request might be different. Ms. Weiss also asked what would happen to the Senior Center if the Human Services were to ultimately move to the White House. Mr. Goddard replied that the Senior Center space would be used for another Town purpose. 3. Housing Partnership, Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program – Mr. Bob Bicknell met with the Committee to discuss the Housing Partnership’s proposal to provide assistance for down payments and closing costs for new homeowners who purchase affordable units. He said that due to a disparity between requirements in HUD (Federal Housing and Urban Development) and the DHCD (State Department of Housing and Community Development), homeowners seeking to purchase affordable units could not currently receive federal assistance of this kind, and this had left some Lexington applicants without this assistance. He explained that the problem involved the different types of deed riders required by the two agencies and DHCD’s insistence that their deed rider be used if the units were to qualify as affordable. He explained that the Housing Partnership had raised $10,000 in private funds to help three families, but stated that further assistance was needed to provide for families and individuals in FY12. In order to meet the needs of these groups, he requested $30,000 in CPA funding. He also requested that if the Committee ruled positively on the Housing Partnership’s proposal, it make funds immediately available after Town Meeting rather than on July 1, 2012. There was a lengthy discussion of the details of the Housing Partnership’s request, with some members questioning how applicants could pay condo fees, etc, if they needed assistance for a down payment and closing costs. Mr. Bicknell stated that the foreclosure rate for the applicants had been extremely low - in the range of only 1-2%. Ms. Fenollosa questioned whether the Housing Partnership’s Assistance Program could be managed by LexHAB, who would be seeking $450,000 in FY12 for unallocated housing expenses. There was some discussion of this possibility, but Mr. Kanter raised some concern that the Town’s investment in LexHAB builds equity for the Town, while the investment in the Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program would not. Ms. Weiss spoke in favor of the proposal, stating that the foreclosure rate of 1.5% was very impressive, and reminded the CPC that it approves funding for the Housing Authority properties which are owned by the State rather than the Town. th Members wished to see current foreclosure data for the public hearing on December 7, and took under consideration Mr. Bicknells’ request to have funding available after Town Meeting rather than on July 1. 4. Muzzey Condominium Association - Window Replacement – Ms. Ginger McGuire and Mr. Hans Maas of the Muzzey Condominium Association met with the CPC to request funds to replace 132 windows in 44 units at the former high school, a historic building. Ms. McGuire explained that the project was being proposed under both the historic and affordable housing components of the Community Preservation Act, and that it further conformed to the goals set forth in the (2002) Comprehensive Plan for the Town. Ms. McGuire explained that the present windows are 100 years old, in poor repair, and have interior storm windows which are difficult to manage. The windows present the only other form of egress for many of the units, and in many cases cannot be opened. She said the Condominium Association had met with the Historic Districts Commission and that the two groups had reviewed the options for replacement of the windows in a style that would conform to HDC standards. The Association had initially proposed a vinyl window for their needs, but the HDC required a product closer to historic materials, available from Andersen. She said the Condominium Association also had the option of rebuilding the existing windows, but had decided against this alternative. The HDC-preferred window was priced at more than three times the cost of the vinyl alternative ($931 vs. $2,855) and Ms. McGuire explained that the Association was seeking funding from the CPC to bridge this difference. Ms. McGuire further reviewed the finances of the Condominium Association, noting that the condo fees were $180 to $210 per year for an average unit and that special assessments have been levied upon the owners for $290,000 in the 2 last few years. She said the window work would be undertaken over a 5 year period from 2010 to with approximately 25 windows being replaced each year. Members had a lengthy discussion of the proposal, focusing on clarifying the HDC requirement for a particular window type, and on the integration of the other owners of units in the building, particularly LexHAB and the Senior Center. The latter two groups (with 51 and 4 windows respectively) were not included in the Condominium Association request, but preferred to undertake their own window repair/replacement at a later date. Members discussed possible economies of scale for the project and proposed replacing all 132 windows at once and thereby receiving a better price from Andersen. Ms. McGuire replied that the homeowners were not able to afford to undertake such a schedule, since in some units, there were up to five windows. (She noted window costs will rise 5% each year, a factor that is taken into account in the Association’s proposal.) She stated that some unit owners had already commenced the replacement of their windows because they had been able to take advantage of a large purchase by Andersen, and had received a 12% discount on their installations. Mr. Kanter pointed out that it did not make financial sense to extend the installation out five more years, pay an additional 5% each year and piecemeal the project. He encouraged Ms. McGuire to seek other grants or loans which might enable the Condominium Association to complete the project in a cost effective manner. (Ms. McGuire had noted earlier that the Association had researched grants, but that none were available.) Mr. Kanter also noted that with only one supplier, the Association could not competitively bid the project - potentially another costly aspect of their planning. Members thanked Ms. McGuire for her thorough presentation and well-written report. It is assumed that the Association will still propose to seek funding from the CPA fund for $50,517 for the first year, and approximately $45- $50,000 per year thereafter through FY2016. 5. Needs Assessment Report – Ms. Manz reported that pieces of the Needs Assessment Report from the Conservation Commission and the Housing Authority were still to be received. Ms. Rice will coordinate the receipt of final updates and put a second draft together. 6. Article 5, Special Town Meeting – $75,000 in Supplemental Funds for Busa and Cotton Farms – Ms. Manz discussed with the Committee her intentions to speak briefly to Article 5 at the Special Town Meeting held that evening. She said Mr. Valente, the Town Manager would introduce the Article, and that she would speak in support of it on behalf of the Committee. The Article seeks $24,000 in supplemental funding for the Busa Farm acquisition and $49,000 for the Cotton Farm acquisition. Both accounts have been overspent due to unanticipated legal expenses. 7. Other Business – Mr. Adler reported briefly on his attendance at a CEC meeting at which a CPC project was discussed. Ms. Rice informed members that there would be a photograph taken at the next meeting for the Town Report. The photographer will be scheduled for 4:30 pm. Future meetings were noted as follows: November 22nd 3:00 pm in Room 207 th December 6 3:00 pm in Room 207 th Public Hearing December 7 6:30 pm in Cary Hall th Leary Neighborhood Meeting with BOS November 16 at 7:00 pm in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room. Finally, Ms. Manz noted with sadness the passing of Ann Whitney, the former Director of the Lexington Housing Authority. She said the Committee had met many times with Ms. Whitney, and that she was a competent and responsible advocate for the Authority. Mr. McSweeney added that she was an individual of great personal strength and that she will be missed by all who knew her. The meeting was adjourned at 4:59 pm. 3 One document was reviewed or presented at the CPC meeting; (1) A spreadsheet entitled, “Community Preservation Budget Projections” dated 11/10/10. This document is on file with the CPC. Respectfully submitted, Nathalie Rice Administrative Assistant mmittee Community Preservation Co 4