Lenox Community Preservation Committee
February 9, 2009
Minutes
Members present: Roscoe Sandlin (RS), Chairman, Joseph Kellogg (JK), Vice-Chairman, Midge Sandlin (MS), Joe G. Strauch (JGS), James Jurney, Jr. (JJ), Jim Sorrentino (JS), Fred Keator (FK) and Olga Weiss. Joseph Kellogg (JK)
Scott Pignatelli (SP) absent.
Also in attendance: Mary Albertson (MA), Town Planner.
RS opened the meeting at 8:00 PM.
Town of Lenox – Baczek Property Purchase
RS recused himself from the Baczek Property Purchase presentation. JK served as Chairman.
Greg Federspiel, Town Manager, gave an overview of the project. The Baczek property is located on East Street and is approximately 140 acres. The property is currently for sale. The property has significant wetland areas and abuts the confluence of Yokun Brook and the Housatonic River. The Lenox portion of the multi-use recreation path would pass through this property.
Mr. Federspiel said that the CPC application is the first step in purchasing the property. The property abuts the Lenox Sportsman Club as well as land owned by the State’s Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. There is potential to partner with each of these organizations to purchase the property. He noted that the property is a priority acquisition identified by the Lenox Land Trust. Finally, there is potential to created one or two building lots that could be sold or that could be used to construct affordable housing units.
Mr. Federspiel concluded by saying that he will be looking for funds from the Housantic River Restoration Fund Program. He also noted that GE might be interested in donating money to help purchase the property. He is willing to stipulate that CPC funds be contingent on securing other funding sources.
Members asked Mr. Federspiel the asking price for the property. Mr. Federspiel responded that the parcel was listed for $565,000. He is hopeful the property could be purchased for less given the current economy. FK asked why GE would donate money. Mr. Federspiel responded it is a good will effort. JK noted that in recent years, GE has purchased a number of parcels located on the river.
Members discussed who would own the parcel. Mr. Federspiel said the town would own the land. The town might sell a small parcel to the Sportsman Club.
FK asked if this is open space or open space and recreation. Mr. Federspiel replied it is both, and it could also be affordable housing if the building lots were used to construct affordable housing units. Discussion ensued regarding the fact that town sewer is not available and the lots would need to have a perc test.
JGS asked the overall value of the purchasing the parcel given the large wetland areas. He asked who would negotiate the purchase price. Mr. Federspiel said the town would negotiate the purchase price. It was noted that town meeting would need to approve the land purchase. Mr. Federspiel said he would welcome a member of the CPC to participate in the negotiations.
Upon conclusion of the discussion of the Baczek application, RS returned and resumed his position as Chairman
Ventfort Hall – Arboretum and Education Program
Tjasa Sprague, Christine Sprague and Jeffrey Folmer presented the application on behalf of the Ventfort Hall Association.
Mr. Folmer gave on overview of the project. He offered a brief history of the property. It was noted that the building and grounds suffered from years of neglect. The Ventfort Hall Association purchased the property in 1997 and a great deal of building restoration work has been completed.
Mr. Folmer explained that education is a key mission of Ventfort Hall Association. They have a very successful American Girl program. They hope to have an equally successful summer camp for the Arboretum project. They view the Arboretum project so an opportunity to involve boys and teenagers in learning more about Ventfort Hall and the history of the Gilded Age. The grounds are very special and include spruces from the Civil War period. Mr. Morgan had a great interest in trees instead of formal gardens. The grounds were very important to Mr. Morgan.
RS stated that it is a very worthy project but questioned how it meets the guidelines for CPC funding. The project must be historic restoration. There was also discussion of the need for the Historical Commission to declare the arboretum as an asset that is important to the history of Lenox.
Tjasa Sprague explained they are looking for guidance and any assistance the town can provide. They have matching grant money and would appreciate any assistance. She said that there is a great deal of work to be completed and the CPC funds could be restricted to restoration work on the original historic brick wall.
Members discussed the location and scale of the brick wall. Members agreed the project needs to be historic restoration to qualify for CPA funding. RS asked Ventfort Hall to revise its application to reflect the work to be completed on the restoration of the wall. RS asked that the application be filed in the Land Use office as soon as possible so the CPC can review the revised application at its February 17th meeting. Mr. Folmer will prepare the application and file it by February 13th.
Sawmill Brook Housing – CDC of South Berkshire
Tim Geller introduced Jeffrey Kittross and Nancy Stroll of the Lenox Affordable Housing Corporation. He also introduced the project architect, Chris Farley. He thanked the CPC for the money it awarded last year. He gave a brief overview of the work completed and the status of the project. He is confident that Lenox is still a good market and the project will come to fruition.
Mr. Geller said that that the current schedule has the first units come online for sale in 2011. The project will be built in three phases. He is comfortable that the twenty affordable units will sell quickly and the thirty market rate units will sell over time. He noted that he hopes to capture one-third of the new housing unit market in the Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge area over a three year period.
Members asked the price for a market rate unit. Mr. Geller said between $300,000 and $450,000. The affordable units will be sold to individuals or families who are at eighty percent of median income or lower. This works out to approximately $170,000 for the affordable units.
Mr. Geller noted that to make this project feasible it needs significant funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Currently, DHCD is not taking on new projects. Their priority is completing struggling projects in other areas of the state. DHCD realizes Lenox is a unique project. DHCD welcomes projects that have community support. Mr. Geller believes Sawmill Brook is well positioned for DHCD funding once they start distributing money for new projects. He is still hopeful that the project might qualify for the work force housing pilot program. This would allow the town to get credit for all the ownership units – even the market rate units – if the town contributes at least $200,000 to the project.
Mr. Geller noted that the project will be a “green project”. The will participate in the LEED program and hope to be Gold LEED certified. OW asked the architect to discuss the units built on slabs vs. the units built with basements. Mr. Farley explained there will be a mix of units given the significant amount of ledge on the property. The affordable and market rate units will be distributed equally. He also noted that there would be a mix of one, two and three bedroom units. Town sewer is available for this project.
Mr. Geller concluded by stating he is willing to stipulate that CPC funds be contingent on securing DHCD funding for the project.
Members discussed the January 26, 2009 minutes. MS offered a correction regarding the Housing Authority budget. JGS made a motion to approve the January 26, 2009 minutes with the correction offered by MS, seconded by JS and approved unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted
Mary Albertson, Town Planner
Approved: 2/17/2009
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