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C H I L M A R K H O U S I N G C O M M I T T E E
Minutes
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Chilmark Town Hall,
5pm
Present: Todd Christy, Michelle Leonardi, William Randol, Jim Feiner, Sheila Muldaur, Andy Goldman
Absent: Ann Wallace
Minutes of January 17, 2013 and December 4, 2012 not reviewed.
Middle Line Road Homeowners Agreements: Marina Lent presented a draft letter to MLR homeowners, detailing the responsibilities undertaken by homeowners. Committee members pointed out that, because this is an integrated community of town-sponsored housing, it is important to maintain standards that would not necessarily apply to an isolated homestead. Bill Randol visited the site shortly before the meeting, and reported that some properties were clearly not in compliance with the agreements regarding finishing of structures, vehicles (including commercial vehicles) and debris and various equipment left visible on the premises. Members felt that it would be helpful to remind MLR homeowners of the standards agreed to in becoming part of the MLR community. Marina Lent suggested that a
binder could be prepared for each household, containing a full set of MLR-related documents. The Committee approved the draft letter as discussed, and instructed Marina to prepare the letter for Jim’s signature, and to mail out the letter with the proposed documents.
Housing Needs Assessment Study Committee Update: Housing Committee members Jim Feiner and Anne Wallace attended the briefing for the First Interim Report of the Martha’s Vineyard Housing Needs Assessment Study currently being compiled by consultant Karen Sunnarborg.
This first interim report focused on a review of the available statistics on current demographics and affordable housing needs on Martha’s Vineyard. Highlights of the interim report include:
- More than two-thirds of the new housing produced form 1990 to 2010 was for seasonal or occasional use, and the study notes that: “this off-Island demand for housing has pushed housing prices beyond the means of most year-round residents and drives the need for more affordable housing”.
- Rental housing production increased by 72.1% between 1990 and 2010; “This is a positive trend that should be reinforced, particularly for year-round occupancy”;
- The vast majority of Island housing units are single-family detached homes. “…given the high cost of land, limited economies of scale, and need to preserve open space, such housing is not the most efficient and economic way to produce affordable housing.”
- Housing costs remain extraordinarily high with huge affordability gaps. Notably, Chilmark has the highest affordability gap of all;
- Rentals too are sufficiently high that, assuming a ceiling of 30% of income paid for housing, those earning less than the median income are largely priced out of the rental market as well.
The report sums up findings of the state of housing need as follows: “The Island’s average weekly wage was 71% of the state average, the median home price was was 54% above the state’s and the median rent exceeded the state’s by 17%.”
Phase 2, Housing Needs Assessment Questions: Marina Lent requested input from the Committee on the information sought by the consultant for phase 2 of the Housing Needs Assessment process. Phase 2, “Evaluation of Programs/Projects and Organizational Capacity”, will review all past and existing affordable housing initiatives, and seek to assess their effectiveness and relevance in addressing today’s identified needs for affordable housing. Marina noted that people who had been involved in the development and implementation of these initiatives will have pertinent insights into the specific problems encountered and solutions developed to address them. The Committee suggested that Marina summarize past Annual Town Reports.
Municipal Housing Trust: Marina reported that Anne Wallace has undertaken inquiries to determine whether donors of land or money to the Housing Trust can take a tax deduction. Preliminary indications are that they can; details remain to be determined. The Committee asked Marina Lent to write a letter to the Chair of the Board of Selectmen requesting that the Board of Selectmen appoint the five trustees, convene a meeting of the Trust, and ensure that all provisions outlined in the warrant article approved by Town Meeting in 2010 are enacted, so that the Trust is fully operational and able to respond to opportunities that may present themselves.
Housing Committee Membership Jim Feiner noted that he had spoken to Roland Kluver, who looks forward to attending future meetings of the Committee when he returns to the Island.
Housing Committee Regular Meeting Time: The Committee decided to hold regularly scheduled meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 5pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 6pm.
Minutes approved 4/9/2013.
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