Chilmark Housing Committee
Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 2, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
Approved
Present: Andy Goldman, Chairman, Zee Gamson, Jim Feiner, Roland Kluver, Tim Lasker
and Todd Christy, Administrative Assistant
Absent: William Randol
Call To Order
Mr. Goldman, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m.
Minutes:
Mr. Goldman moved to postpone approval of the January 20, 2009 upon revision.
Business:
Mr. Goldman spoke with Sheila Muldaur about joining our committee. She has accepted the offer.
Mr. Goldman had asked for a review of CHC members appointing committees, specifically the appointing committee of Mr. Kluver. That information was not readily found.
Mr. Kluver remembers sending a letter to the Board of Selectmen. Minutes of the BOS meetings should be checked for this information.
Discussion of Deed Rider:
1.~ The Chair informed the committee that Deed Riders for families with incomes in excess of 80% of median income lapse after 30 years, but may be renewed for another 30 years indefinitely.~ Consequently, the Chair recommended that the Town refile the Deed Riders every five years or so, so that they wouldn't become shrouded and lost in the mists of time.~ The Chair also reported that Ron Rappaport believes that where, as here, the Town conferred special rights upon Eligible Purchasers by waiving its otherwise applicable density requirements, the Deed Rider, according to its own terms, can be perpetual.
The better part of discretion is to continue to file.
2.~ On the language of the Deed Rider itself, Mr. Goldman called the Committee’s attention to the proposed changes which reflected input from Town Counsel and the Selectmen.
Discussion focused on the provision that descendants be required to be Eligible Purchasers.~ Those against requiring descendants to be Eligible Purchasers were prepared to defer satisfying the need for affordable housing to gain a perceived strengthening of continuity in the community by permitting multiple generations to continue to live in the affordable house, whether or not they would otherwise have qualified for such housing.
Those in favor of requiring descendants to be Eligible Purchasers saw a greater policy imperative in the maintenance of affordability.~ Concern was expressed at the possible loss of even one of the extremely modest number of Affordable Homesites that had been created and the feeling was expressed that those who, by definition, didn’t need affordable housing shouldn’t be able to benefit from such housing at the expense of those who do.
After full discussion the matter was put to a vote and the requirement that a descendant or spouse qualify as an Eligible Purchaser was passed three to two with Goldman, Lasker and Kluver voting in favor and Feiner and Gamson voting against. The Chair noted in passing that Bill Randol, who was absent, had previously expressed himself in favor of requiring descendants to be Eligible Purchasers in the interest of ongoing affordability.
There being no discussion or objection to the other proposed changes, the Committee concurred in Mr. Goldman’s intention to forward the Deed Rider as approved by the Committed to the Selectmen for their consideration and approval.
Discussion of Developer Lot
(This discussion surrounds the Implementation Guidelines amendment to create a “developer lot” and provide for designation of Eligible Purchaser by lottery for the first Homesite Lot created by subdivision--designation of additional such lot(s), if any, could be by the developer.)
Mr. Goldman opened the discussion with a brief history of the "Developer Lot" and input from the public meeting. Mr. Kluver clarified the description of the developer lot as if more than one lot is given up for affordable housing due to a subdivision, then first lot go to lottery and second go to the developer to decide from eligible purchasers.
In response to the committees discussion and the public input the amendment was modified to provide that the first developer lot be awarded by lottery but, if there were to be an additional lot or lots, it could be awarded by the developer to an Eligible Purchaser. Mr. Goldman asked if everyone on the committee had expressed their opinions and then asked if the committee wanted to move forward with proposed language. The Chair asked for a vote to be taken. Three (3) in favor, one (1) opposed, one abstained.
Mr. Kluver expressed again his desire for developers to be encouraged to provide lots for affordable housing. Ms. Gamson also noted that any private landowner can give an affordable lot to an eligible purchaser.
Discussion was closed.
Administration
Make an appointment for Debra Silliman and Jeff Wass to attend CHC meeting.
With no further business to discuss, Mr. Goldman adjourned the meeting at 5:38 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Todd Christy, Administrative Assistant.
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