Sharon Housing Partnership
July 8, 2008 Meeting Minutes- Approved August 12, 2008
In attendance: Jane Desberg, Mary Tobin, Susan Saunders, Alan Lury, Warren Kirshenbaum and Lou Modestino
Voted to Approve Minutes of June 10, 2008
Status of 9 Glenview Road
The Sharon Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to approve 9 Glenview as a Local Initiative Project. Jane Desberg appeared before the BOS at their earlier meeting (7/08/08) where the BOS signed the LIP for this property. Jane presented information to the BOS on the proposed marketing and lottery for this home. The property is being rented and the lease expires on September 15, 2008. The sale of this property as an affordable home requires that a complete marketing plan be submitted to MA DHCD.
To complete the marketing plan the home needs to be assessed for its present condition. Jane Desberg will contact Ben Puritz requesting that the property be made available for a viewing. Susan Saunders will visit the home and prepare an offline form. Susan Saunders also suggested that the home engineering file, available at the building department, be pulled to gather information on what updates and improvements have been done on the home.
Annual Housing Institute Conference
Susan Saunders briefly discussed the information presented at this conference. There was some discussion about the 40R statute as it relates to affordable housing. Susan Saunders will bring material she received from this conference to the next meeting.
40B Updates
-Wilber School Project
This project passed at the last ZBA hearing. Jane Desberg informed the group that the Sharon Affordable Housing Corporation (SAHC) was not suitable as a pass through for tax credits and that Beacon Properties is looking for another 501(C) 3. One of the groups being considered is the South Shore Housing Trust. Warren Kirshenbaum expressed some reservations about his experience with this organization. The group discussed the fact that the use of a 501(C) 3 was not absolutely required but that developers get a much better deal in terms of reduced taxes. Jane Desberg suggested that the SHP might consider application to the Sharon CPC for funds to resurrect the SAHC.
-Sharon Commons
Jane Desberg reported that this project has reported some trouble securing an anchor store. She will be in touch again with Attorney Shelmerdine to invite him to come before the SHP.
-Simpson Properties
Alan Lury informed the group that Simpson was no longer purchasing the land in question for development. The state is now buying this land for the construction of a major interchange for I 95 and Route 1. The Simpson development, if built, would have added approximately 144 units toward the Town’s 10% affordable housing quota. The loss of this development is a major setback.
-Avalon
The group discussed the need for an update on the status of the affordable units.
To date there has been no response to the SHP’s inquiry regarding the vacant lot on this property.
Old Business
During discussions with DHCD this agency indicated that they will not approve the Sharon Local Preference Criteria for former town residents as it does not address a “current need”.
Jane Desberg is now the Affordable Housing representative on the Community Preservation Committee.
The group discussed the need to apply to CPC for funding for reinstituting the SAHC and for other purposes. Mary Tobin volunteered to get an application for this purpose.
Jane Desberg mentioned that Paul Lauenstein recently appeared before the Finance Committee regarding a revised Inclusionary Zoning By-Law. He also sent information regarding this Bylaw that Jane will send out by e-mail to the SHP.
Lou Modestino expressed the hope that the Conservation Commission would work cooperatively with the SHP toward the goal of identifying and securing land suitable for the development of affordable housing.