Housing Commission Minutes
February 14, 2006
Present: Rayna Caplan, George Georges, Avram Kalisky,BJ Scheff, and Bryce Wolf.
Chairman’s Report: Scheff stated that she has invited representatives of Waltham Alliance to Create Housing (WATCH) to discuss housing creation issues, contracting strategies, to an upcoming meeting. A town committee is being formed to consider issues and concerns relating to the proposed NE Deaconess life care facility on the BIIC property. And the current owners of the Ridge Rd. apartments have apparently declined the Town’s offer and are preparing to improve and market the units privately. We have been invited to attend the HATS meeting on March 2, which will focus discussion on affordable housing issues.
Affordable Housing Trust Fund: A Town Meeting warrant article will seek to establish a housing trust fund, as well as a separate committee to manage it. This committee will be appointed by the Selectmen. CPA funds could be allocated to this fund, as well as funds in excess of $40,000 that might accumulate in the Housing Commission’s revolving fund. The CPA will hold a public hearing on Feb. 16 regarding this year’s applications for funding. Although the Ridge Rd. proposal will not be proceeding, CPA funds will be requested to serve other housing proposals that may arise, such as buydowns.
Because it is not entirely clear how a Housing Commission and a Housing Trust Fund Committee would work together, what are their relative strengths and weakness, etc. Scheff will attempt to invite counsel to an upcoming meeting to go over the issues. Selectmen, Lincoln Foundation, CPA, and others will be invited to join us.
Sunnyside: Mark Whitehead and Sam Rappaport joined the meeting. Regarding the status of the Sunnyside construction RFP, Whitehead stated that the architect has been told to take out “the fluff” – construction trailer, site supervisor, etc., from the RFP, but to leave the design elements alone. Scheff stated that she is trying to find out how to get contractors certified to meet State bidding requirements. She noted that the upcoming meeting with WATCH may help us on this project. The Lincoln Foundation is willing to take on the building of these two units if we can figure out how to handle it legally. Caplan reported that in consulting with Lexington, she learned that the Rotary has been able to building affordable housing on town land, eventually turning it over to
LexHab.
Rappaport reviewed the plans for the accessory apartment. It was agreed that parking for this unit will be shown on the adjacent lot. This results in better sidewalk access to the unit, and avoids designating parking in the front yard of the existing house or requesting a second curb cut on the lot. Scheff will run the breakout amounts for the parts of the project not to be done by Minuteman by Anita Scheipers to make sure they conform to standards for contract quotes. Wolf will begin preparation of the ZBA application. The meeting with the Planning Board will be scheduled for March 15. A neighborhood meeting will be scheduled for the evening of March 1; Scheff will follow-up.
Kalisky Senior Center Proposal: Kalisky noted that he had distributed copies of a proposal for a new senior center at Lincoln Woods to members of the Commission, the Selectmen, and others. In addition to the senior center, the plan would add 20-22 additional housing units to the complex by building a third floor. The plan has many attractive features, such a better senior center, more affordable housing units, and improved aesthetics to the Lincoln Woods buildings. However, it does require a reworking of the Lincoln Homes Corporation and its obligations, as well a several million dollars in funding. Certainly something to think about.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.
The next meetings are scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 14, at 7:30 a.m.
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