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Minutes
North Stonington Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
October 19, 2010
In attendance: Michelle Brophy, Tim Pelland, Jim Scaramozza, Mary Ann Ricker
Absent: Stella Neves-Elbaum
Guests: Juliet Leeming, John Olsen and Curt Moussie III
Location: North Stonington Elementary School, Library
Tim Pelland, co chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. It was moved, seconded and carried to formally approve the minutes of the September 21, 2010 meeting.
Much of the meeting centered on the committee’s upcoming meeting with the Board of Selectmen. At this meeting, to take place on October 26, 2010, the committee intends to clarify with the Board several matters. First, the committee will ask the Board how the education brochure is to be distributed, from a logistical perspective and how will the costs for same be paid. In addition, the committee intends to discuss with the Board the issue of funding for the hiring of a consultant who will in turn develop and prepare a plan that may now (as discussed in greater detail below) encompass more than just affordable housing. Various committee members have approached local banks and businesses for funding purposes and, to date, have not been successful in procuring any
commitments for such funding. Much of t his stems from a general policy of making grants or other forms of subsidy to federally tax exempt entities, such as so-called “non-profit” organizations and not , generally speaking, municipalities. The committee wishes to broach the topic of other funding, pooled with and from other Town sources for this purpose. Lastly, some clarification will be sought as to the “duties” or work to be conducted by the committee, inasmuch there may be some misunderstanding between the committee and the Board of Selectmen as to the functions of the committee. For instance, the members of the committee were unaware that the Board may be looking for the committee to prepare design standards and craft proposed affordable zoning regulations that the committee believes is outside the scope of its duties and, candidly, expertise
Juliet Leeming and the committee discussed in great detail what the aforementioned housing plan may include beyond that which was initially contemplated. More specifically, a general consensus was reached that a “consolidated plan” that would also include sections devoted to design standards and zoning regulations geared to affordable housing may prove most beneficial and best serve the community on the whole. In addition, we may be able to pull in funds from Planning and Zoning (P & Z) and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) to secure a consultant to prepare this “consolidated plan”. However, the prevailing sentiment still exists that some financial assistance from the Board of Selectmen or from some private sources will be needed to pay for these
consultant services. Underscoring all of this remains a need for the committee to meet with P & Z and EDC (with perhaps the Board of Selectmen as well), in order to work together on getting an affordable housing plan in place and ensuring that all relevant parties are indeed on the same page as to which group should be doing what going forward to reach the common goal of affordable housing in our Town.
Mary Ann Ricker also provided us with a map showing certain Town-owned lots, in the Kingswood area, that we would like to bring to the Board’s attention since up to 22 of the approximate 35 “lots” may be buildable upon and could be used for affordable housing purposes.
The majority or great part of our meeting was devoted to discussion amongst committee members and our guest John Olsen. Topics included the Town’s putting in place a tax reduction or abatement plan for those out of work, seriously ill or injured. The concept of affording residents some tax relief could be tied to short term deed (affordable) housing restrictions. Such “term” would be for one year, potentially renewal upon provision of satisfactory documentation demonstrating that the tax relief should remain in place or otherwise terminate. Discussion took place over the Town’s potentially entering into an agreement with the State as to its, the Town’s, being reimbursed for any lost tax revenue under these circumstances and/or the Town’s being empowered to collect the deferred taxes upon any sale of the property for market price.
Accessory housing or apartments, along with “farm housing”, was spoken of at great length too by various committee members, Ms. Leeming and Mr. Olsen. Attention was paid to what constitutes an affordable accessory unit under CGS 8-30 g and it was pointed out that said statute arguably deals more with urban than rural communities. For instance, an accessory apartment is to be attached under the cited statute, albeit in our Town, as with many other communities like ours, detached units exist and would likely qualify as affordable but/for the “attached” requirement. As such, this, too, the committee wishes to explore further with the Board and perhaps P & Z too, and we may even seek an opinion from the AG’s office or some other State authority that
a detached unit may qualify as an affordable, accessory unit in spite of the language currently in the statute. Or, it was noted, the detached unit might constitute a “dwelling unit” under 8-30 g. John Olsen was kind enough to go over the “point system” geared toward one’s meeting at the very least the moratorium contemplated and permitted under this statute.
Lastly, the committee revisited the previous committee’s handbook and materials and reviewed the strategies therein discussed to meet the affordable housing requirements of the State. Deed restrictions, accessory apartments, tax abatement and others were looked at and all agreed that however the goal is to be met will require other town agencies or committees, with the Board of Selectmen, working together and communicating better with one another going forward (and being very clear as to each party’s duties and responsibilities). To that end, a work shop or workshops is viewed by most as the best means to get all the parties together and discuss how we best accomplish the foregoing goals.
There being no other matters in which to discuss, a motion was made and thereafter seconded that the committee meeting be adjourned at 7:50 pm.
The next meeting will be November 16, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Elementary School library.
Respectfully Submitted,
James M. Scaramozza, Acting Recording Secretary for Stella Neves-Elbaum
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