DUXBURY LOCAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
COMMITTEE
Minutes of 3/6/08
Senior Center
Members Present: Diane Bartlett Barbara Kelley
Denece Clinton Brian Murphy
Jack Griffin Charlie Rourke
Bruce Bygate (arrives at 8:05PM)
Also Present: Christine Stickney, Planning Director
Meeting convened at 7:30PM
Affordable Housing Bylaw:
Jim Lampert, former Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, met with members to discuss concerns he had with the proposed bylaw. He noted to begin with under Section 570.1- Purpose the reference of non-conforming lots should be deleted. He said that his read of the bylaw indicated that is was a combination of non-conforming and non-compliant lots and that referring to only non-conforming would be confusing. Jim explained the protections afford non-conforming lots under the state statute and how they can be built upon. Jim also noted the required 30’ setbacks is excessive, his feeling was that they should be the same as all lots in a residential zone. Christine noted that this was an item that the Planning Board felt should be there particularly for small lots. Charlie Rourke pointed out
that the final Stantec report recommended 30’on building setbacks. Christine noted that of the 48 lots identified the majority of the lots were well in excess of 10,000 SF and should not be a problem. Jim also noted that he had an issue with the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and why was there a cap on the size of the dwelling. Diane Bartlett noted that the Planning Board was concerned that a large house could be built on a small lot. Charlie Rourke added his speculation of what size houses we would see and that economics would also play into the size of the house.
Christine noted that the LHP had been working on this bylaw for some time and had brought it to the Planning Board to seek their support. After the last time a zoning article came forward and the LHP hadn’t worked with the Planning Board it was not successful. Jack Griffin commented that he felt we should leave the setback and the FAR alone – the Planning Board was pretty definite on those and in an effort to avoid any debate on Town Meeting floor that could jeopardize the whole article.
Jack Griffin MOTION to recommend striking the word “nonconforming” from the first sentence of Section 570.1 - Purpose, seconded by Charlie Rourke – unanimously voted.
Members thanked Jim Lampert for his input and he left the meeting.
Member Bruce Bygate arrived at meeting (8:05 PM)
Town Meeting:
Diane Bartlett went over the plans for the upcoming meeting on Saturday – she asked if there would be a member willing to be a back up for Brendan. She explained Brendan may need to be absent for the Town Meeting. Charlie Rourke agreed to be the back-up. Christine noted to members that she has heard CPA and Zoning articles may not even come up until Monday night or later. She urged members to ask people to come in support of the articles.
Diane also informed members of some last minutes concerns that came up with the Affordable Housing Trust – particularly after her conversation with Jon Witten. Christine informed the members that the article has had the amendment submitted as voted by the LHP last week to Alan Bornheimer and it will be a handout.
Diane also informed the members of a question posed to her by Melissa Donahoe of Fiscal Advisory as to the Homeownership Program and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Melissa had reviewed the applicable chapters relative to the creation of the trust and found a provision under section 3 that state funds from CPA have to go into the Trust. Town Counsel was called late today because the article for the Homeownership Program as it appears in the warrant states it goes through Town Manager. Attorney Troy said this was not a problem, since the Finance Director is the custodian of both the Trust account and the CPA funds – it just adds another level of bureaucracy. Attorney Troy said to just relay his verbal remarks of no problem to the Fiscal Advisory when we meet with them tonight. Diane
expressed her concern with the LHP’s credibility since we had been saying all along that the 500,000.00 was not going into the account. Christine pointed out that the article is in the warrant that is not going into the account but through Town Manager. Attorney Troy said that when a loan is ready to be issued – Johan Madden cuts a check moves it through the Trust fund and it is issued to the recipient – not a problem. Barbara Kelley noted the “buy down” is similar to concept of a conservation restriction – it stays with the property.
Charlie Rourke MOTION to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jack Griffin – unanimously voted
Meeting adjourned at 8:35PM
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Stickney, Planning Director
APPROVED BY THE LHP ON 04/03/08
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