Minutes
North Stonington Affordable Housing Committee
July 26, 2012
In Attendance: Mary Ann Ricker, Tim Pelland, Kristen Comstock, Michelle Brophy and James Scaramozza
Absent: Tony Rose
Guests: Marilyn Mackay, Juliet Leeming, Jason Vincent and Heidi Samokar
Location: Wheeler High School Media Center
The meeting was called to order by Co-Chairman Tim Pelland at 6:08 PM. The minutes of the prior June 28th meeting were approved.
Heidi Samokar of Planimetrics introduced herself to the Committee and its guests, as she will be handling the housing plan going forward in that Jason has left that company. Jason, nonetheless, was kind enough to attend this meeting for transitional purposes and to assist both Heidi and the Committee in the next critical steps to the preparation of the aforesaid housing plan.
Before delving into the general outline and action memo that Heidi had prepared for Committee review, Juliet Leeming gave an update concerning Meadow Court and her, with the developer and John Olsen, having met with officials of the State Department of Transportation (DOT) and State Traffic Commission (STC). It was determined that any “requirement” of raising the ground/foundation of the proposed development, upwards of ten feet, had not been required by the DOT or STC. As such, further discussions with members of the developer’s team were to take place to address this matter as well as an emergency spillway that might be part of this development.
Heidi then dove into her outline and action memo, seeking Committee and other advisors’ input. Generally speaking, the parties discussed the various possible strategies to be implemented in respect to and as part of the overall housing plan. The notion of “guiding principles” was discussed too.
Then, a fairly detailed discussion took place as to various strategies, e.g., utilization of existing housing stock, such as accessory apartments, as well as providing tax incentives to deed restrict one’s land or a particular improvement located thereupon, that could satisfy and help address the affordable housing needs of the community. Philosophically speaking and initially during this meeting, the Committee members debated what the overall focus of any housing plan should be, namely, either meeting or endeavoring to meet the 10% affordability requirements under state law or the promotion of housing choices, that may be affordable, at market and/or retail in nature (and combined with open space to continue to foster the rural nature of our Town). While no final decision was made, the parties believe that both goals
can be met, inasmuch there appears to be compatibility between the two. Ultimately, the emphasis will likely be on promoting and advocating affordable housing options and strategies that would address the 10% requirement and the overall housing needs of our community.
Further discussion next took place with respect to new developments either going on in the Town today or might be on the horizon as part of our housing plan and strategies. The model of “co-housing” was discussed, i.e., senior housing blended in with other types of housing, as well as the Wintechaug parcel and the myriad uses and improvements, along with a certain percentage committed to open space, that might be built on it.
Jason also interjected that we might consider as part of any housing plan the inclusion of a zone called a “Special Farming Preservation Zone”, whereby a certain percentage of the land in question would be for farming, with another set percentage set aside for the construction of a certain percentage and amount of affordable (rental) housing. The Committee, as with all subject matter discussed at tonight’s meeting, elected to investigate this further and see if examples or comparables existed within other communities.
Returning, briefly, to the Wintechog parcel, thoughts were given to our engaging students majoring in planning/architecture to assisting in the rendering of schematics or concept plans as to what that parcel could look like as part of an overall development with mixed uses. Such “visuals” might prove useful when discussing future development of this parcel with Town officials and others.
We concluded the night’s discussions with thoughts about Holly Green and how that might prove to be an area ripe for some additional mixed used development (by way of example, affordable rental units above commercial). And, Michelle Brophy offered to look into obtaining for our consultant and the Committee some information regarding a project in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Such project might serve as an example for the Committee to draw upon concerning the implementation of affordable housing within a rural and agrarian community.
Heidi was going to next prepare a draft housing plan and intended to have it ready for initial review at the September meeting.
The meeting was adjourned by our co-chair Tim Pelland at approximately 8:05 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
James Scaramozza
Recording Secretary
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