Lincoln Housing Commission Minutes
May 11, 2004
Present: Rayna Caplan, Avram Kalisky, BJ Scheff, Bryce Wolf
Minutes: The Minutes of April 27th were approved.
Bills: A bill for $1497 was paid for lot surveying at Sunnyside Line.
Minuteman Commons: Patrick Morganelli, builder and developer, met with the Commission to discuss his plans for the Minuteman Commons project in North Lincoln. He noted that there had been several meetings with town representatives since Town Meeting and that an improved design is coming about. They have heard the need for at least one covered parking space per unit and have devised a way to locate these under the condominium buildings.
They are working to obtain the appropriate financing, and will meet with the bank today. They are not looking to develop a rental property, as they feel it would require heavy subsidies and would not fit with their financial plans. Condos would be rented only as a short-term option should sales proceed slower than anticipated. However, they are optimistic about sales, noting that without any marketing they have already received inquiries. They hope to proceed quickly with the permitting process and to break ground in the fall.
Regarding the affordable units, Scheff explained that a lottery system was used to allocate units at Battle Farm. State regulations have changed over time, so efforts must be made to conform. This will need to be worked out with the Lincoln Foundation. She also commented that this process will apply to any potential new units at the Lincoln Mall. Morganelli stated that when a marketing plan is drafted, he will send it to the Commission.
GreenRidge: Scheff reported that she and Mark Whitehead have been working on the HOME funding. It is anticipated that the CHODA funds will be switched to Lincoln, resulting in a total of about $9000 for the year. Scheff is also working on completing the LIP application, and will use information from the comprehensive housing plan. The Lincoln Foundation does not yet have a final version of the deed restriction prepared; this will need to accompany the application.
Sunnyside Lane: Brooks Mostue has agreed to provide architectural assistance. Another meeting of the town subcommittee (Georges, Whitehead, Chris Coleman, Scheff) is coming up; Scheff will contact Mostue. The wetland flagging has been done on the lots. The septic system designed for 30 Sunnyside will be sufficient to include the apartment if there are no garbage disposals. Although there will be two separate septic systems, one for each lot, there will be one single mounded area in the rear to accommodate them. The wetland delineations need to be added to the lot plans and building envelopes determined.
Hanscom Field: Selectman Sara Mattes has asked that Hanscom Air Force Base personnel be designated “Lincoln connected” on affordable housing priority lists.
Changes to 40B: There was a brief discussion regarding proposed changes to the current 40B law under consideration in the State legislature. One scenario would allow many current units to be counted twice, pushing Lincoln over the 10% threshold. It was agreed that we should study possible outcomes, beginning with the state build-out plans and adding in various possible scenarios for the Hanscom Base housing. Perhaps Diadiuk would be interested in taking this on.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 a.m.
The next meeting will be May 25th at 7:30 a.m.
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