Sharon Housing Partnership
Meeting Minutes
April 4, 2007
In attendance: Jane Desberg, Robert Young, Susan Saunders, Alan Lury, Mary Tobin, Warren Kirshenbaum
Also present: Melissa Mills from the Sharon Housing Trust;
Martin Spagat and John Kusmiersky from Brickstone
Voted to approve: Minutes of February 7, 2007 and March 7, 2007
Correspondence: Letter dated April 2, 2007 from Mostue & Associates regarding Winslow Road
Brickstone Presentation:
The project has been reduced in size from original. New proposal consists of 624 units in six buildings. Maximum height 8 stories. Brickstone will create a High Pressure System to serve the development and the approximately 600 existing homes in the area. The water tank will be constructed under ground. Estimated water use was stated at ~118,000 gallons a day. Brickstone representatives have been told that this would represent only about 20% of the town's excess capacity after other developments (excluding water use at the Sharon Commons Mall).
Two-hundred-fifty acres of the site will be given to the Town. Thirty-six addition acres will be restricted. Twenty-four project acres will be used as green space-par 3 golf course.
The Brickstone development will need to contribute 69 affordable units to offset overall increase in housing. To contribute 10% toward the town's affordable housing quota Brickstone has entered into an agreement with Simpson to pay for water and sewer connection with Walpole allowing another 36 units to be built on Simpson property.
Brickstone will also be contributing $1,000,000 to the town for affordable housing. Brickstone representatives suggested that from discussions with Bill Heitin and others only $600-800K of this amount will go toward affordable housing. Alan Lury suggested that 100K was slated for redevelopment of the town center.
Brickstone representatives also presented a conceptual plan showing 29 acres, of the 250 town acres, for affordable housing. This land abuts Mountain Street and emergency access road for the project. These sites would need septic and wells. Brickstone indicated they would consider providing connection to town water but not wastewater system. Perks have not been done. The unpaved road was not a problem.
Discussion- Housing Partnership expressed problem with money slated for affordable housing going to other purposes. Alan Lury suggested HP should bring this up at cross-board meeting re:Brickstone.
Town's focus on development of rental housing does not allow for affordable home ownership opportunities.
MBNA CPA Application
Robert Young presented summary of MBNA application including proposal to purchase the house at 9 Glenview Road and resell as an affordable. He also summarized CPC discussions to date, including eminent domain concept discussed by George Bailey and Bill Heitin. The idea of the town "taking" this land now under permanent injunction was found to be distasteful. Susan Saunders requested to be allowed to view the property. Jane Desberg discussed grant application recently submitted to offset cost of the home.
Motion was made by Susan Saunders "To support the MBNA application to CPC that include purchase of 9 Glenview for affordable housing."
Alan Lury seconded.
Voted: Lury, Saunders, Desberg, Young in favor. Tobin abstained.
Hunter's Ridge
Jane Desberg talked to Fred Clay. He will be in touch with Mirrione regarding lottery proposal for Hunter's Ridge.
Winslow Road
Due to groundwater conditions observed at the site, Mostue and Associates found this property unsuitable for development.
Motion was made by Susan Saunders "That the HP cease to pursue development of the Winslow Road property based on information from Mostue and Associates (4-2-07 Letter to Sharon Housing Partnership) regarding soil and groundwater conditions found at the site.
Alan Lury Seconded.
Voted: Unanimously
Sharon Affordable Housing Trust-CPA Application
The application to the CPC to provide $100,000.00 to the Sharon Housing Trust was voted affirmatively on the first round on March 22, 2007(Vote was 5-1). Second vote scheduled for April 12.
Board of Selectmen Presentation - April 10th 8:00PM
List of things to bring up to the Board of Selectmen
1. Local Preference (BOS was asked to review)
2. Home Rule Petition- Jane Desberg will get update from Rep. Kafka
3. Need for the Town to identify land for affordable housing. Two properties were mentioned as of interest- one on Maskwonicut Street and one near Sharon Fence on Route One
4. Update on unsuitability of Winslow Road site for development
5. $1,000,000.00 for affordable housing
New Business
Jane Desberg was asked to be on the Horizons for Youth Committee to represent Affordable Housing.