Lenox Affordable Housing Committee
February 7, 2011
Minutes
Members present: Dave Klausemeyer (DK), Chair, Jo Anne Magee (JM), Ellen Jacobson (EJ), Debbie Burke (DB) Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV), and Olga Weiss (OW).
Absent: Roscoe Sandlin (RS).
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
DK opened the meeting at 3:05 PM.
JM made a motion to approve the January 3, 2011 Minutes. Seconded by EJ and unanimously approved.
DK said he met with Jocelyn Ayer, HousingUS – Berkshire Taconic Foundation. On behalf of the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, Ms. Ayer prepared a joint grant request to the Legacy Foundation to create an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program for Lenox and Great Barrington. Ms. Ayer attended the December 2010 Affordable Housing Committee Meeting and gave a very informative presentation on the HousingUS program and its recent success in the Town of Sheffield. The Legacy Foundation grant application was submitted for $10,000 to prepare a brochure for Lenox and Great Barrington regarding accessory dwelling units. The brochure will be very similar to the brochure prepared for Sheffield. In addition to the grant, DK hopes to work with Legacy Bark to create an ADU mortgage program similar to the
one sponsored by Salisbury Bark in Sheffield. KMV asked how many grant applications were filed with the Legacy Foundation. DK said there were 31 grant applications filed. DF thinks the Lenox/Great Barrington application should be viewed favorably because affordable housing is one of three top priorities for the Legacy Foundation. JM asked how much money the Legacy Foundation has to fund projects. DK did not know the exact amount; however, he noted that the money available is based on the value of the bank stock and recently the stock value has increased. JM asked when the decision will be made. DF said he thought it would be in February. Members thanked DK for taking the lead on this project.
DB offered an update on the status of the Sawmill Brook project. DB advised that efforts are underway to secure the funds to purchase the Bartoni property. The Southern Berkshire CDC applied for CPA funds to purchase the property. The CDC is also trying to raise private funds.
Discussion ensued regarding the Housing Production Plan and the current feasibility of affordable ownership units. JM is concerned that the current housing market does not support the development of affordable ownership units. She wants to ensure the committee looks at all affordable housing options including rental units. MA suggested that the Committee placed a priority on ownership units because the research showed that the Lenox Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) is comprised of all rental units. There are no ownership units on the inventory. She also noted that lack of units available for families. Most of the units on the SHI are for special needs and senior housing.
DB suggested that generally Berkshire County does not follow national housing trends. She observed that the Sawmill Brook is an independent project. Tim Geller is very knowledgeable and is working very hard to ensure that the Sawmill Brook project moves forward. She suggested that the committee support Sawmill Brook and continue to cultivate other affordable housing opportunities.
MA informed the members that on behalf of Shakespeare and Company, Marybeth Mitts inquired about the potential to create affordable housing units at the Shakespeare campus. MA said that Ms. Mitts was very knowledgeable regarding Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations. MA was encouraged by this meeting. Even if the units do not qualify for the SHI, new housing opportunities are good for the town. EJ offered to contact Ms. Mitts regarding the next committee meeting.
The next meeting will be March 7, 2011 @ 3:00 PM
Meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 3/7/2011
| 
