Sharon Housing Partnership

February 6, 2008

Meeting Minutes – Approved May 7, 2008

In attendance: Jane Desberg, Mary Tobin, Alan Lury, Susan Saunders

Voted to approve: Minutes of November 7, 2007

Voted to approve: Minutes of December 5, 2007

Voted to approve: Minutes of January 9, 2008

Upcoming Meetings

The Partnership has been invited to attend the following meetings:

Meeting at the State House (Rep Kafka's Office) February 12

Sharon ZBA on February 13

Historical Commission on February 13

Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee on February 25

State House Meeting

Jane Desberg and Susan Saunders will attend. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the House Bill that would increase the asset limit for Sharon seniors applying for affordable housing to $400,000.

ZBA Meeting

The committee discussed the upcoming ZBA meeting. The goals of the SHP presentation were agreed to be: to provide information about the mission of the SHP; to provide information regarding the needs of the community for affordable housing; and to stress to the ZBA that the SHP must be included at the outset when 40B projects are proposed. This has not been the case with recently approved developments and as a result opportunities for the best deal for the Town have been lost. Alan Lury suggested that the term “workforce housing” is now preferable to “affordable housing”. Other points raised included that affordable housing is not “low income” housing. The community needs  affordable home ownership opportunities for Town employees, first responders and elders. Home ownership provides stability and investment in the community that rental housing does not afford. Because of the SHP approved Local Preference Criteria 70% of affordable units in town will go to present or former Town residents and/or those who work for the town. First responders will have special preference. Affordable homes would remain affordable in perpetuity. Several members of the SHP will be in attendance. Mary Tobin offered to give the presentation.

Historical Commission Meeting

The Historical Commission has invited the SHP to their meeting on February 13th to discuss the home at 111 Pond Street. This property is on the Town's Historic Register and is owned by Temple Israel. Habitat for Humanity has been contacted and they are interested in rehabilitating this property into a single family affordable rental. Habitat has indicated that their involvement would require a long-term, 99- year lease. Several members of the SHP felt that it was unlikely the Temple would be willing to agree to rehabilitation and rental of this property.  Jane Desberg offered to attend this meeting.

Horizons for Youth Reuse Committee Meeting

Susan Saunders volunteered to give this presentation. Much of the material to be presented will be similar to the ZBA presentation. The goal of the SHP is to have the HFYRC consider giving the SHP a small piece of land ~ five acres for the development of affordable housing. The interest of the School Committee in retaining ~43 acres for the building of a new High School was raised. In this presentation it will be important to stress that the SHP has been actively looking for suitable parcels in Town and that acquiring land remains the major impediment to developing affordable housing. The 2 acre zoning in place would necessitate that any proposed affordable development go before Town Meeting for a special permit. Jane Desberg offered to get pictures of successful developments in other towns for the presentation.

Simpson Property

The ZBA denied this project at their last meeting. The reasons for the denial were stated to be for environmental and safety concerns. At previous ZBA meetings concerns about safe egress and the fact that this land is zoned for commercial use were raised.

Wilber School

This project is scheduled to be going before the ZBA on February 13.  Fifteen of the 79 units will be affordable. Eight will be project based Section 8 units. Because the new project  is changed from the original age-restricted with retail project,  and because of the Section 8 housing units proposed, there may be opposition.

Avalon

The application process for affordable housing is now open. Avalon is doing their own lottery. The Sharon Housing Authority is the monitoring agent. Avalon will pay the SHA $3000 per year for this service.

Hunter's Ridge

This project recently went before the Planning Board to change the age restriction. It is unknown at this time what was the final decision of the Board.

Inclusionary Housing

Paul Lauenstein recently went before the Finance Committee. Issues raised by this committee included that requiring developers of small project to build affordables is unfair. Also the question was raised regarding whether lower taxes for affordables created an unfair burden on other residents.

Town Land for Affordable Housing

Jane has been in contact with Peg Arguimbau concerning giving the Winslow Land to Conservation in return for a buildable parcel.