Sharon Housing Partnership Meeting –Approved 3/15/2011

January 11, 2011 Sharon Community Center, 219 Massapoag Ave, Sharon     7:15pm

Present:  Susan Saunders, Jane Desberg, Lou Modestino, Warren Kirshenbaum, Alan Lury

Absent: Mary Tobin

Announcements

Open Meeting Law training presented by the town will be held on Jan. 27, 2011, 6:30-8:00pm at the Sharon Adult Center, 219 Massapoag Ave, Sharon, MA 02067.

The Community Preservation Coalition is sponsoring a Southeastern Massachusetts Conference on the Community Preservation Act on April 2, 2011 at The Moakley Center, Bridgewater State University from 8:30am-3:00pm.

26 Oak Hill Drive

J. Desberg updated the SHP on recent developments regarding this site.  The adjacent homes were built under the guidelines of Section 4330 “Basic Flexible Development” and Section 4334 of the Sharon zoning by-laws.  This provision requires that the open space which is set aside remain undeveloped and primarily in its natural condition.  The requirements to build on the site would be going back to the ZBA, having a two thirds vote at town meeting and then overcoming the 97^th Amendment of the State Constitution as it relates to the disposition process.  Based on this information the SHP will not pursue the site for affordable housing.  J. Desberg will inform Mr. Jim Gray of this decision.

The committee will go back to the list of town owned land and review other sites including Route 1.  J. Desberg to contact Peter O’Cain for assistance in identifying other locations.

623 Massapoag Avenue

Mr. Stan Sreda, owner of 623 Massapoag Ave contacted J. Desberg.  Mr. Sreda is interested in selling this 40,000 sq. ft parcel for $125,000.00.   In anticipation of a discussion at a meeting, J. Desberg contacted Conservation Agent, Greg Meister for information regarding the site.  Conservation restrictions, wet lands and the set back from the street make this lot unbuildable.  J. Desberg will inform Mr. Sreda that the SHP is not interested in pursuing this site.

CPA Application

This item was tabled since the SHP is not pursuing the Oak Hill Drive site.

B’nai B’rith Housing New England

Several SHP members attended the Jan. 5, 2011 meeting of the Sacred Heart Reuse Committee (SHRC).  Ms. Susan Gittleman and Ms. Holly Grace from B’nai B’rith Housing were in attendance and addressed the committee about their vision for the site.  B’nai B’rith did not submit a RFP, but did send a letter of interest.  Ms. Gittleman said B’nai B’rith would like to build affordable senior housing at this location and would like to work with the town to accomplish their goal of building a town swimming pool.   The SHRC will be asking the Board of Selectmen for direction on how to proceed.

Next meeting will be held on February 8, 2011

Meeting adjourned at 8:10pm

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Desberg, SHP Member