Lenox Affordable Housing Committee
March 7, 2011
Minutes
Members present: Dave Klausemeyer (DK), Ellen Jacobson (EJ), Debbie Burke (DB) and Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV).
Absent: Jo Anne Magee, Olga Weiss and Roscoe Sandlin.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
DK opened the meeting at 3:05 PM.
DK stated that Mary Beth Mitts of Shakespeare and Company is in attendance to discuss potential housing opportunities. Ms. Mitts thanked the committee for inviting her to attend the meeting. Ms. Mitts explained that she worked for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the State of California. She developed and administered a housing rehabilitation program and is knowledgeable of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) requirements.
Ms. Mitts hopes to identify potential funding opportunities to improve the housing at Shakespeare and Company. She understands that to qualify for housing grant programs one must serve the needs of low and moderate income residents. She believes she can demonstrate and document a housing need at Shakespeare.
The Committee and Ms. Mitts shared ideas regarding potential partnerships. DK explained that the town wants to develop units that qualify for inclusion on the town’s certified housing inventory. The state requires that 10% of the town’s housing must be certified as affordable. To qualify for inclusion the units must be available to all low and moderate income residents and cannot be reserved for people associated with Shakespeare. Ms. Mitts said she understands the requirement and is hopeful that Shakespeare could develop housing that is open to community.
Discussion ensued regarding potential projects. Ms. Mitts suggested that there are three cottage buildings that would work well for housing. She explained that the cottages are best suited as group housing and may not work for units that are available to the general population. Ms. Mitts said there at 33 full-time employees at Shakespeare. She went on to say that there are 150 employees during the high season. Because Lenox is a high value community it is difficult to find short-term rentals.
The committee and Ms. Mitts agreed there is a possible synergy. Ms. Mitts is meeting with the Shakespeare Board of Directors to discuss housing opportunities. The committee thanked Ms. Mitts for attending the meeting.
DB offered corrections to the February 7, 2011 - Minutes. DB made a motion to approve the February 7, 2011 – Minutes with corrections. Seconded by EJ and unanimously approved.
DK reported that the Legacy Foundation did not fund the $10,000 grant proposal to prepare a brochure for Lenox and Great Barrington regarding accessory dwelling units. DK said he was disappointed and contacted the Foundation for feedback. The Foundation did not feel that brochure fit their criteria for an affordable housing project. The brochure would not provide a direct affordable housing benefit. Discussion ensued regarding outreach efforts. EJ offered to take the lead on outreach efforts. DK will contact Joclyn Ayers to determine other opportunities to develop a brochure.
DK said that JM called and she drove her car into a snow bank and she is unable to attend the meeting. She emailed a copy of a letter she sent to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) regarding the Sawmill Brook land purchase project. She apologized for not being at the meeting in person to discuss her comments. Discussion ensued regarding JM’s concerns regarding the Sawmill Brook project. DK said the CPC public hearing is tonight at 7:00 and he encouraged members to attend.
The next meeting will be April 4, 2011 @ 3:00 PM
Meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 4/4/2011
| 
