Affordable Housing Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: February 28th, 2007
Present: Sarah Del Mastro, Steve McClain, Rob Garrity, Bill Crump, Bill Crane, Jeanette Wood, Dan Winslow
Absent: None
Guests: None
Others present: None
Meeting called to order: by Sarah Del Mastro at 7:35pm, in Room 214, Town Hall
Business:
1. Minutes - Approve minutes as is for Feb 7, 2007. Motion made by Steve McClain. Seconded by Bill Crump. Approved by unanimous vote.
2. Cottage Court and other Housing Authority projects - Bill Crane – There have previously been concerns about size and shape of lot, frontage, and width and condition of road. Bobby Shannon (Housing Authority) can provide the details of the previous history of this project. Development of this lot would likely be a Local Initiative Project via ZBA and could establish a process that could be used for other suitable lots. A request for proposals (RFP) would likely be required. Modular homes might be a viable, cost-effective solution. Bill will talk with Bobby Shannon and update the group at the next business meeting. DHCD may be able to provide info on establishing a routine process for these units. It would also require discussion with the Selectmen.
Chicatabut Rd may be another location for development via such a process. Bill will talk to Scott about Chicatabut.
Sarah Del Mastro stated that there may be an additional opportunity for affordable units on a separate lot under consideration by CPC, which has an existing home and possible space for new development. Sarah will stay in touch with CPC on this.
Dan Winslow suggested that the committee consider a company that specializes in putting up affordable homes on Town land.
3. Sweetlands Farm home - Bill Crump spoke with owner’s son. The house is slated for demolition by April 1. House has some significant deterioration and would need to be assessed. Members expressed concerns about the financial investment and time constraints that would be involved. This project could be viable as a historic preservation project. Sarah will ensure that CPC is aware of this opportunity . Bill will talk to Bob Bullock about conducting a walk thru of the building.
4. Inventory of Town Land – Report from Assessor’s office. Rob will check to see which parcels ConCom has control over. ConCom land and/or land swaps, may be feasible if the land has no restrictions. Smaller, undevelopable lots on the inventory might be sold to neighboring landowners with the proceeds going to the Aff Hsg Trust Fund.
5. Aff Hsg Plan – Gino Carlucci has addressed the changes requested by DHCD. His changes were reviewed by the committee.
During discussion about accessory apartments, Rob confirmed that they are allowed by right in Norfolk. Sarah stated that to be counted on the SHI it would have to conform to the eligibility requirements. Dan stated that there is considerable potential and interest in rental options, including studio, one bedroom and two bedroom.
Dan suggested the plan could include some principles/guidelines which guide development of affordable housing in Norfolk. It was discussed that this idea could be included as a vision statement or preface in a future revision, and/or could be incorporated as part of the committees ongoing activities.
Sarah will incorporate changes into the full document and send it out to the reviewers who were involved with the previous draft.
A public forum on the plan may need to happen independently of the Master Plan Subcommittee, who will not be submitting a completed Master Plan until Fall Town Meeting. Dan will check with Paul about videotaping the forum and the possibility of having a speaker phone and allowing residents to call in. Sarah will bring in a draft for a Powerpoint presentation for the March 28 meeting. Forum was proposed to be Wed 25th April. Sarah will book a location for the forum.
6. Affordable Housing Trust Fund – Sarah has a draft version of an FAQ which could provide info to the CPC and others and would later be included on the website. Sarah will share the document with the CPC to provide information and solicit feedback. If CPC are interested in placing some monies in the fund at town meeting, it could be proposed as an amendment to the relevant funding article.
7. CPC/Mass Housing Partnership (Soft Second Loan Program for first time homebuyers) - Andrea Langhauser has a contact for MHP who could come in to speak to committees and/or at a public forum. CPC is interested in having MHP provide info as they revise their DPAP information and will arrange for MHP to attend a future CPC meeting. Dan suggested we also ask Mass Housing Finance about conversion costs for accessory apartments.
8. Preparation for DHCD visit @next meeting. Subjects we might ask questions on would include funding sources, buying down units, inclusionary zoning, AHTF, but for the most part the committee expects that CHAPA/DHCD will have a standard presentation to provide for us. Other boards have been invited. The meeting will be recorded for later broadcasting. Dan will contact NCTV to arrange videorecording. If committee members know other individuals who have been involved with, and/or have demonstrated an active interest in, affordable housing and the AHC, can be notified individually at members discretion.
9. Preparation for a presentation on Affordable Housing and the AH plan, for public forum and town meeting. (Already discussed during discussion of AHP in item 5 above.)
9. Potential newspaper article was distributed to committee for review. It was decided that Matt McDonald should be invited to attend the Chapa/DHCD meeting and can have this document to provide context to accompany any article he might write. Sarah asked members to review and provide feedback. Subsequently we can advertise the April 25 forum.
Conclusion:
Next Meeting – Mar 14th, 2007, 7:00pm, Room 124.
Meeting adjourned @9:35 pm. Motion made by Rob Garrity, seconded by Dan Winslow, approved by unanimous vote.
Recorded and typed by Sarah Del Mastro
| 
