Housing Commission Minutes
November 23, 2004
Present: Rayna Caplan, Avram Kalisky, BJ Scheff, Bryce Wolf.
Bills: Bills in the total amount of $446.00 were approved for oil burner maintenance and lawn & yard cleanup at the Tower Rd. properties. The need to develop consistent and uniform maintenance policies across all town rental properties was expressed.
DHCD: Scheff reported on a frustrating set of communications with DHCD regarding the town’s six LIP approved units. It would appear that departments within DHCD are not talking with each other.
Sunnyside Lane project: C. Coleman is in the process of negotiating a contract with the architects. A third revision to our CPC proposal has been made; most of the funds requested are to go to Sunnyside. However, if the Lincoln Foundation fundraising goes well, Town Meeting will be asked to shift funds toward buy-downs.
It was agreed that there is a need for some sort of affordable housing fund, beyond the current rent and maintenance fund we have now. Scheff will consult with Tim Higgins about the possibilities.
The Lincoln Foundation has committed to raising $120,000 before Town Meeting. Scheff has prepared a pro forma to be used in the fundraising effort. Major donors will be contacted first, grants will be applied for, and a mailing will eventually be sent out.
Minuteman Commons: A draft Special Permit is under preparation. The project will be discussed at the Planning Board’s meeting on Dec. 1, at which time the public hearing process will likely be closed.
Smaller Home Deed Restrictions: Mark Whitehead provided a copy of the Stow bylaw which provides for the purchase of development rights under a deed restriction on smaller homes. These are purchased under CPC funds and limit future resale prices under an “affordability restriction.” Future owners are limited to 80% median income of Stow (not greater Boston). Such restrictions would lower assessed property tax valuations. It was observed that in Lincoln even small home prices are much higher than in Stow, making it expensive to purchase such restrictions.
Updates: The Planning Board continues to work on a proposal for inclusionary zoning. It is expected that something will be ready for Town Meeting. The Accessory Apartment task force is continuing to work on a mechanism to create an affordable accessory apartment program. Several property owners have expressed interest. One question arises regarding enforceability, as the state requires a 15-year commitment unless the property is sold.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.
The next meetings are scheduled for Dec. 14, 2004, Jan. 11 and Jan. 25, 2005 at 7:30 a.m.
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