Joint Meeting of the Selectmen, Planning Board, and Housing Committee
September 9th, 2004
In attendance: Warren Doty, Frank Fenner, J.B. Riggs Parker, William Meegan, Edward (Tip) Kenyon, John Flender, Russell Walton, Molly Flender, Thaw Malin, Bill Randol, Steve Schwab, Jim Feiner, Josh Scott, Zelda Gamson, Deborah Cini.
Present from public: Tom Ruimerman, Clark and Pam Goff, David Flanders, Lenny Jason, Ingrid Goff-Maidoff, Carol Skydell, Perry Ambulos, Marcia Cini, Sheila Muldaur, Rachel Levin, Bill Cini, Chris Cini, Mark Lovewell, Chuck Hodgkinson,
Warren Doty called the meeting to order at 7:40p.m. The initial discussion was regarding the Housing Committee proposal and its content was directed at Molly Flender. Molly answered with the idea of going to town meeting in April with a full proposal and plan. The proposed plan is up to twelve units with six being rental units and six being owned units. Molly also stated that there is a need for the rental and the owned units. The survey that was distributed in August was a contributing factor in the decision. The proposal now would be to hire a planner to see what is feasible.
Warren Doty brought up the survey and asked if anyone would like to summarize the survey. William Meegan summarized the survey as the people who responded 75% were in favor of the land being used for affordable housing. 67% of the respondents favored a mix of rental and ownership for the lots.
Warren Doty offered the availability of the survey to the public. .
Riggs Parker offered that the written comments people made were available upon request.
Warren Doty opened the floor for questions and comments. Perry Ambulos then asked “what was the position of the selectmen”.
Warren Doty answered that his position was the proposal was a good proposal. He also mentioned the resident home site by law was in effect. The need for rentals is there but there are questions as to how to accomplish it. There were two votes in favor of affordable housing at past town meetings. Frank Fenner is concerned about the capability of the ground to support the proposed 12 units. Riggs Parker expressed that he favors rental housing and is conscious of the future. When the land is sold it is gone. He wishes rental for foresight and the town needs to look toward the future.
Pam Goff asked what the qualifications for the recipient of a homesite lot were. Molly answered that a applicant has to have lived or worked in the town for five years, make no more than 150% of median income, proof of citizenship, acceptable financing, executed purchase and sales agreement, approved mortgage and building permit within 120 days of being awarded the site.
Riggs offered the qualifications in full.
Warren Doty asked what the median income level was.
Deborah Cini provided a hand out that listed the information for the median income levels.
Warren Doty asked the public for any more questions or comments. The public asked how many acres are actually buildable. Warren Doty answered that Vineyard Land Surveying had surveyed and offered a schematic plan. A sketch and photo were introduced.
Molly Flender asked about flexable siting bylaw and asked Lenny Jason to explain it. Lenny answered that it gives the illusion of space.
Warren Doty explained about the application process for the resident home site list. He also stated that the sites would be awarded by lottery. He also explained that there is no process for rental housing as of yet.
Lenny Jason asked how long the qualification was for.
Warren Doty answered that it lasted for two years and then after that the person would have to reapply because of the passed by law now in effect.
Riggs asked why the qualification was not as of the date of the lottery for this project on town land. Molly Flender answered that she wanted equal treatment of all applicants.
Steve Schwab stated that the purpose of the meeting was to see if we all agree and to move to the stage of hiring a planner.
Warren Doty started the financial discussion of where the funds would come from. Discussion ensued.
Carol Skydell asked why hire a planner when we do not know what the town wants to do with the land. She was answered by Molly Flender stating that the purpose of the planner was to do just that. See what is feasible and come up with financial models.
Public asked have you involved the people on the list for units in the design process? Molly Flender responded by stating that the renters were harder to identify and the resident home site people were willing to accept what is planned.
Steve Schwab asked what the position of the planning board was? William Meegan answered that the Planning Board would act on what is allowable by law and the planning board would approve. He also mentioned that the character of the town is three acre zoning.
Zee Gamson mentioned a 40B project.
William Meegan asked if the housing committee questioned density.
Zee Gamson stated that density was talked about.
William Meegan stated that a study was done and that three acres “fit” the character of this town. He mentioned again to remember what is allowable and asked how we are going to divide the rental side from the housing side.
Edward (Tip) Kenyon stated that the planning board supports the proposal of the housing committee. He also stated that he supports home ownership in addition to rentals but the land would be rented on a long-term lease. He also stated that since the town would retain control of the land the town would have some say in the architecture of the home rentals and the home sites. He also stated that the housing committee has done a good job.
Warren Doty questioned is twelve the correct number of units for the land.
Pam Goff stated that she liked the original six units for a number. She asked why does it have to be so dense and that we should spread the units around town.
Sheila Muldaur responded that we are going to lose our kids. No matter how successful they are in the chosen profession they will never make enough to live in Chilmark. She stated that she thinks six rentals and six ownership homes is the right number.
Ingrid Goff-Maidoff questioned the safety of the area in reference to the increase in cars. She sighted a head on collision last year on the road.
Warren Doty responded that the road would have to be modified to sustain the cars.
Riggs Parker stated that a consultant is going to look at several models to see how the area could be sustained. He stated that he is seeking more inquiry into the land.
Russell Walton stated that he liked the idea of six rentals and six ownership homes. He also stated that there is unbuildable wetland on the property. He would like to modify the present plan without compromising too greatly. He was clarifying that there would be open space on the Middle Line Road site. He also stated that Holman Road runs through the property.
Jim Feiner stated that this is the smallest amount of affordable housing in one area on the island, there is not enough and we need to act now. Also we have lost at least four affordable rentals in the last year.
Riggs asked if the housing committee thought of the future and of what to do. There will be nothing left.
Molly mentioned that Peaked Hill could be developed.
Warren Doty mentioned that we need to do something about the problem now. Also explained about the lottery and a discussion ensued after an inquiry from Lenny Jason.
Public asked the question if there is the opportunity for the people on the list to choose not to build on Middle Line.
Molly Flender answered that they do not have to put their names into the lottery if they do not want to.
Zee Gamson and Lenny Jason discussed the need for a plan for the rental units.
Lenny Jason inquired about 40B project and Warren Doty clarified what a 40B project is.
A discussion took place between the public and the boards regarding whether the numbers of rentals and ownership homes units are correct. The board and the public discussed that it is open for discussion.
Josh Scott mentioned that the engineer would come up with the plans for the site.
Warren Doty asked what are the rules for the units regarding wells. Is there a possibility of sharing wells?
Edward(Tip) Kenyon mention that it is a board of health issue.
Riggs Parker mentioned the seminar in Framingham titled “Developing affordable housing on municipal land” and asked if anyone would want to go.
Molly Flender asked can we use the present proposal and give it to the planner/consultant along with the comments. The answer was yes we can use it.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Deborah Cini and Russell Walton respectfully submit these minutes.
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