Lenox Affordable Housing Committee
April 4, 2011
Minutes
Members present: Dave Klausemeyer (DK), Ellen Jacobson (EJ), Debbie Burke (DB), Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV), Jo Anne Magee (JM) and Olga Weiss (OW).
Absent: Roscoe Sandlin.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
DK opened the meeting at 3:04 PM.
JM offered corrections to the March 7, 2011 - Minutes. EJ made a motion to approve the March 7, 2011 – Minutes with corrections. Seconded by JM and unanimously approved.
TRIAD Presentation
EJ offered an update on the presentation to the TRIAD on April 11, 2011 @ 10:00 AM. She said there is a very informative power-point presentation on state website listed under the Smart Growth Toolkit. She suggested using this power-point presentation for the TRIAD meeting. EJ said she talked to Jocelyn Ayer from HousingUS. Jocelyn told EJ that there are no proprietary restrictions on the housing brochures. EJ will prepare a brochure. EJ will make arrangements with the school department for the presentation equipment.
Members agreed that TRIAD is an opportunity to get the word out regarding the benefits of ADU’s. In addition to EJ, OW, DK, DB and KMV will attend the TRIAD meeting. EJ will offer an introduction. KMV will be prepared to answer zoning questions. MA will make handouts for KMV. DB will answer questions regarding the Sawmill Brook project and DK will answer questions regarding the Affordable Housing Trust. DB offered to work with EJ to edit the power-point presentation.
The committee thanked EJ for her work on the TRIAD presentation.
Other Business
DB offered an update on the Sawmill Brook project. She said she talked to some of the property owners on Stoneledge Drive. Discussion ensued regarding the CPC recommendation to fund the purchase of the Bartoni property (Sawmill Brook). OW is concerned that the multi-year commitment to the Sawmill Brook project will limit opportunities for the Affordable Housing Trust. She noted that Sawmill is a long-term project and there are immediate needs that will go unfulfilled because of the financial commitment to the Sawmill project. JM said she shares OW’s concern. JM is concerned about the length of time it will take to realize an ownership project. She believes a rental project can be developed in a timely manner and this will provide immediate housing opportunities for
those in need. OW and JM are concerned about the lack of state support for ownership projects.
KMV said that Tim Geller, Director of the Southern Berkshire Community Development Corporation (CDC) is optimistic that an ownership project can commence in two to three years. DB noted that Frederick Keator, Chair of the Community Preservation Committee, supports the land purchase concept because it gives the town control and the numbers work in the town’s favor. The developer will be required to repay the $600,000 and the long-term benefit to the tax-base is more advantageous with an ownership project.
The committee debated the pros and cons of the Sawmill project. JM is concerned that KMV and DB might be influence by the proximity of their homes to the Sawmill project. MA said that the Town Manager has cautioned that some citizens still believe that the Bartoni property should be developed for commercial use. KMV said that she conducted copious research regarding the history of the zoning classification of the property. She believes that commercial zoning is inappropriate. She also noted that she headed the efforts to create an Affordable Housing Committee. She has been a long-time advocate for affordable housing in Lenox.
JM noted that she had to leave the meeting because of another commitment. DK suggested that the committee schedule a follow-up meeting next week to continue the discussion. The committee agreed to meet on April 11, 2011 @ 3:00 PM.
DB noted that she has been asked why the committee has not pursued purchasing units at Rolling Hills, Lenox Heights or Morgan Manor. The committee agreed that this is a valid question and the committee should investigate these opportunities. DK said he would contact a local realtor to get the current listings under $180,000.
OW made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:20 PM. DB seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 4/11/2011
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