TOWN OF MARION
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST
MINUTES
February 10, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ora Mae Torres, Chair
Reg Foster (by conference call)
Steve Cushing
Jon Henry
Roger Blanchette
MEMBERS ABSENT: James Grady
Dorothy Burrill
ALSO PRESENT: Jon Witten
Richard Heaton
Suzanne Peterson
Helen Westergard
Carol Sanz
Ken Steen
Jim Holding
Commencement – Mrs. Torres called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
Moved by Mr. Cushing and seconded by Mr. Blanchette to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2009 meeting as amended. VOTE: 4-0-0
Executive Session
At 7:07 p.m. the Trust voted to go into Executive Session. VOTE: A roll call vote was taken with Mrs. Torres, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Blanchette, and Mr. Henry all voting yes.
Baywatch Presentation
Mr. Steen and Mr. Holding, owners of the proposed 40B development, submitted and described a conceptual preliminary site plan. Mr. Steen explained that the modified project is going to be a mixed use development consisting of 168 units on a 33 acre site located off Front Street. 110 units will be rental and 58 units will be for sale condominiums. The condominiums will be located in four-unit buildings, with the exception of one two-unit building. 29 units will have two bedrooms and 29 will have three bedrooms. The apartment units will be located in three buildings; two buildings will have 40 units and one building will have 30 units. The apartment buildings will have 12 one-bedroom units, 90 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units. A clubhouse and pool are also proposed for
the apartment buildings; Mr. Steen said he anticipated owners of the condominiums having some level of access to those facilities. Each condominium will have a single stall garage and one parking space. The apartment side is proposed to have 191 parking spaces for the 110 units, resulting in 1.74 spaces per unit. The density of the project will be 5 units per acre. The wetland line at the site has been redelineated and will be reviewed by the Conservation Commission on February 18; the new line is shown on the current plan.
Mr. Blanchette voiced concern for discrepancies in the number of proposed units as the Town’s goal is to meet the required 10% affordable units.
The apartment buildings will have two stories and attic space. The attic space in each building will contain two three-bedroom loft units. Each loft unit will have two means of egress and two decks accessed by sliders.
Mr. Blanchette asked if the buildings will have elevators and was told no. Elevators are required in buildings containing four or more stories.
If the project is constructed containing 110 units six (5%) of the units will be handicapped accessible.
Mr. Steen explained that there are no common entrances; each apartment unit will have its own exterior entrance.
The condos will have four units in each building. The end units will have three bedrooms and the interior units will have two bedrooms. Each unit will have a garage and fireplace.
The one-bedroom apartment units will be 790 square feet, the two-bedroom units will be 914 square feet, and the three-bedroom units will be 1200 square feet. Each condo unit will be 1730 square feet.
If 58 condo units are constructed 14 (25%) will be designated affordable. Seven of the affordable units will have two bedrooms and seven will have three bedrooms. The price for the market rate units will probably be $350,000 and the affordable units will probably be $180,000.
If 120 apartment units are constructed 30 (25%) will be designated affordable.
Mr. Steen said the project will probably be going back to the ZBA for a modification to the Comprehensive Permit issued by the State. The modification is necessary to allow the mix of rental and for sale units.
Discussion – Little Neck Village Tenant Selection Plan
Mrs. Torres explained that the proposed plan incorporates the new 30% and 60% income requirements and would inform those on the waiting list of the new requirements for income and how rent will be calculated.
The proposed plan will take the place of the existing Policies and Procedures for Little Neck Village.
Moved by Mr. Cushing and seconded by Mr. Henry to adopt the Tenant Selection Plan. VOTE: 4-0-0
Certification by DHCD
The Affordable Housing Plan and SHI containing 86 units will be receiving a two year certification by DHCD. The certification letter is expected to be signed and mailed this week.
Caretaker’s Cottage RFP
Responses to the RFP are due by February 19; there have been no responses received at this time.
March meeting
The March meeting of the Trust will be Wednesday, March 11.
Payment of bills
Moved by Mr. Blanchette and seconded by Mr. Henry to approve payment of the invoice from NAHRO. VOTE: 4-0-0
FAQ’s
Mrs. Torres said she is in the process of compiling information relative to affordable housing. The information will be incorporated into fact sheets and made available to the public.
Moved by Mr. Henry and seconded by Mr. Cushing to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ora Mae Torres, Chair
| 
