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HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2020-11-23 Minutes ew . Brewster Housing Partnership Minutes of the November 23 , 2020 Meeting Members Present Remotely : Ralph Marotti , Lisa Forhan, Steve Seaver, Sarah Robinson, Vanessa Greene, Jillian Douglas Guests Present : Jill Scalise , Donna Kalinick, Cindy Bingham, Bill Marsh (Eastward Companies) , Susan Ladue (Eastward Companies) , Peter Freeman (Attorney for Eastward Companies) , Thaddeus Siemasko (Architect with SV Designs) 1 . Call to Order : Meeting called to order via Zoom at 6 : 30 pm . 2 . Approval of Minutes . The September and October minutes were approved . 3 . Housing Partnership Role in Local Projects . Donna Kalinick reviewed the Partnership ' s role in projects and comprehensive permits . She noted that substantial changes have occurred over the last 18 months since the Partnership last reviewed the Eastward Properties project including approval of a recreational marijuana facility as well as numerous other affordable housing projects . Donna stressed how important community engagement is in this process and noted that this engagement would need to be performed by the proposer . Community engagement and staff review would be highly recommended before the Select Board was engaged on this project . Lastly, she asked that the Eastward Properties presentation address the new bedroom count and any plans for an on- site wastewater treatment plant . Jill Scalise read a comment received from the public that had arrived after the packet was posted and noted that the other comments were available on the website in the materials for review . j a 4 . Presentation by Eastward Companies : Susan Ladue provided an overview of Eastward j Companies and a history of the project highlighting changes that had been made since the last presentation. The new proposal will increase the number of bedrooms , reduce the j number of parking spaces , increase the proposed green area, and reduce the number of curb cuts . Current plan is for 25 % of the units to be affordable . Thad Siemasko then presented more details on the design of the project. Peter Freeman noted that community engagement would be part of the process and that Eastward Companies would work with the Town on that process . Partnership members responded to the proposal and asked some additional questions including looking at the number of 3 bedroom units , the need for a thorough traffic study, how the reduced number of parking spaces will accommodate residents , whether the number of affordable units could be increased, what the view would be from 6A, process for the Old Kings Highway Committee , lighting strategy, the need for onsite management, and the plans for community engagement . Donna Kalinick noted her understanding that 10% of the units need to be 3 -bedroom units and that an on- site wastewater treatment plant would be required . She also recommended that an updated market rent study be done and that a traffic study be done earlier in the process . The l 3 9 3 Partnership and Bill Marsh further discussed the plans around community engagement . Representatives from Eastward Companies left the meeting . 5 . Brewster Housing Coordinator Report Jill Scalise reported that the Housing Office webpage has been updated . She asked whether the Housing Partnership would want to put its charge on the website and members agreed that this would be helpful . Jill Scalise will work with Ralph and the Town website administrator to get this done . Jill Scalise updated the Partnership that the rental assistance program is moving forward and that they have helped the first Brewster household . A COVID - 19 relief fund is also available for the residents of Brewster and applications are being received . 6 . Updates Jill Scalise and Donna Kalinick provided updates on the following initiatives . a. Brewster Woods — Contract to Phase I infrastructure work was awarded to CC Construction , Donna and POA are working with the Housing Authority making sure residents are aware of what is going on . Sent out letters to 90 abutters giving them the construction schedule . b . Millstone — The Housing Partnership should have received a letter in the middle of last week , Letter was sent to provide an update and answer questions that have been brought forward . c . Wingate — The ZBA approved a use variance for the location. The Planning Board completed the site review process . d . Red Top Road — Proposed Habitat 2 home project . They plan on going in front of the Select Board for approval as a Local Initiative Project , e . Yankee Drive — Jillian asked if there was any thought to doing a RFP for renovation or management of the unit . AHT has been working hard on 212 Yankee Drive ; first step is to gain ownership of the property . 7. Standing Committee Updates : a , Affordable Housing Trust — Sarah discussed the Millstone Rd project including communication with abutters and other community members . b . CPC — Ralph has no further updates . i 8 . Local Preference Educational Forum Update : Donna Kalinick and Jill Scalise had a meeting with MHP . They reported that this was a good discussion and MHP j will discuss to determine what they think they could provide . Training would include the Housing Partnership , Housing Trust, Select Board, and CPC . 9 . Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated by the Chair : Ralph Marotti updated the group that he has been researching the topic of the Maplewood property and would have additional information at a future meeting . t0 . Meeting adjourned : The meeting was adjourned at 8 : 02 I Respectfully submitted , Vanessa L . Greene a Brewster Housing Partnership Minutes of the February 13 , 2020 Meeting Members Present : Lisa Forhan, Diane Pansire, Sarah Robinson, Ned Chatelain, Ralph Marotti Guests Present : Jean Stanley, Director of Housing Rehab Program for The Resource Inc . , Jill Scalise , Donna Kalinick 1 . Call to Order : Meeting called to order . 2 . Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Presentation on Housing Rehabilitation Program : Jean Stanley, Director of Housing Rehab Programs for The Resource , Inc . presented information on the Community Development Block Grant . Brewster has an opportunity to join a regional CDBG application with the towns of Dennis and Wellfleet . The application process was explained . Funds are provided as a deferred forgivable loan with no interest and no monthly payments . These types of programs can be used for housing rehabilitation as well as childcare subsidies . The towns would have one year to use the funds so it is important to get word out to residents . The rehabilitation work is done by local contractors so this program would also support small businesses . Further discussion and consideration concerning the types of work eligible , income qualifications , community eligibility, outreach efforts, and timelines was held . Jill Scalise noted that a direct mailing had been done to Brewster residents that had applied through previous programs and those in the tax abatement programs and that pre- applications are currently available . Jill urged Brewster residents to contact her if they had questions on the program . 3 . CDBG for Housing Rehabilitation and Childcare, Letter of Support discussion and vote : A draft sample letter was reviewed for support . The draft was approved with one small edit noted . 4 . Approve minutes of previous meeting (February) : Minutes for February were not available and will be reviewed at the next meeting . 5 . Updates from Housing Coordinator : Jill provided an update on the Millstone project. Donna Kalinick suggested that the Partnership consider attending the Community Housing Outreach session on March 10 in place of their next regularly scheduled meeting . Jill provided an update on activity on the buy-down program . She shared that two goals coming out of the Community Housing Institute were the j development of a permanent funding source for the Housing Trust and outreach on the Accessory Dwelling Unit program . Ned shared two draft flyers created — one for homeowners and one for builders . Ralph shared outreach avenues for consideration. Donna recommended reaching out to the Brewster Community Network and possibly holding an information session including banks that are offering loan programs . Jill recommended that the Partnership consider adding ADU outreach as a standing item on their agenda for future meetings . 6 . Standing Updates a. CPC : Ralph provided an update that the Housing Institute funding and Housing Coordinator funding was approved at the last CPC meeting, i i b . Affordable Housing Trust : Jill updated the group that at the last Housing Trust meeting, the CDBG program was discussed and the Trust worked on the conceptual sketches for the Millstone project. Jill will send out general guidelines and priorities for the Housing Trust. Donna noted that under the CPC application they are asking for an increase in hours from 19 to 25 for the Housing Coordinator position and provided an update on the Brewster Woods project. 7 . Items not reasonably anticipated by the Chair : None . 8 . Meeting adjourned . Respectfully submitted, Lisa Forhan i i I 1 I 1 7 3 i `i S j 1 fi