HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2006-03-15 Minutes
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Minutes of the Brewster Housing Partnership
March 15, 2006, 3:30 pm
Brewster Town Office Building, Room A
Present: Gisele Gauthier, Jackie Courchesne; Elbert Ulshoeffer, Jillian Douglass
Philoosphies
Ms. Douglass opened the meeting by asking that members take a moment to discuss opposing
philosophies. She said she would hope that despite disagreements, members would continue to respect
each other's opinions. Mr. Ulshoeffer said he felt it was incumbent on the members to express their
disagreements and to try to make convincing arguments to sway the opinions of their fellow members. Ms.
Courchesne said that she did not feel obligated to endure outright arguments and stated that if members
could not get along she may feel the need to step down. Mrs. Gauthier said she felt she and other members
could disagree without taking the disagreements personally. Members agreed to try to be more tolerant of
each other's opinions.
Bu~Down Program
Mrs. Courchesne had provided members with a coy of Chatham's proposed Buy-Down Program. Mr.
Ulshoeffer expressed that he felt expenditure of public funds for private ownership is wrong. He noted that
he would be more supportive of a rent subsidy program. He noted that $250,000 could provide subsidize
1,000 rent subsidies of $250 each, where as that same $250,000 aloocated to ownership buy down would
probably only support a few units. He added that he would like to see the Partnership investigate a
voluntary local option for deed-restrictions that would produce "rent controlled" units.
Ms. Courchesne said she prefers the ease of the ownership buy-down program. Mrs. Gauthier said the
problem is that the median price is too high to allow abuy-down program to go very far. She noted that the
Sandwich SHOP program had produced 7 units that will be purchased by lottery of buyers on HAC's
"Ready to Buy" list.
Discussion turned to a voucher v. unit based subsidies. It was suggested that the Partnership could solicit
citizens to donate property for a rental program. Ms. Courchesne stated that the Housing Authority could
manage a rental subsidy program if one were created.
157 So Orleans Road
Mark Zippo and the Falmouth Housing Authority presented their proposal to develop 24 2-bedroom units
in 4 buildings on 3.65 acres. They proposed to include 6 affordable units to be sold at $125,000 to income
qualified buyers (80% of median). They propose a BioClear shared septic system. They propose to re-
locate the existing house to provide another affordable unit either on site or on a piece of Town land. Mrs.
Gauthier asked if they had budgeted for the monitoring of the septic system. They had not yet. It was noted
that six units per building provided 8 end units. Mr. Ulshoeffer asked if the proposal incorporated any
"Smart Growth" features. It was noted that the site is 1.5 miles from Stop n' Shop, but that other shopping
was within'/4 mile.
Since the project would use the same design as one of the developer's other projects, Architectural Fees
should be held to a minimum. None of the units are proposed to be Handicapped Accessible. Mrs.
Gauthier suggested they investigate first floor access for "visitor accessible".
Mr. Ulshoeffer asked how they had arrived at to marketing and sales cost of $245,000. Mr. Zippo said that
figure was a flat 5% of total costs and that it represented a worst case scenario He noted that he may be
able to negotiate 4% on new construction.
Mr. Ulshoeffer stated that he felt the construction costs of $274/ SF was very hig.
Mrs. Gauthier said thought the $227,452 per unit was not high.
Mr. Ulshoeffer said he thought there was a potential for about 5% to 8% savings there and that he felt the
project could support 2 more affordable units. He noted that if the $50,000 in permit fees for the
Affordable units could be waived by the Town, that money could be donated to the Housing Fund to
support the creation of more units.
Mrs. Gauthier noted that in Bourne it was negotiated that if the profit of a certain project exceeds 15%, the
excess money is returned to the Town. Mr. Zippo stated that if his profit exceeds 15% on this project he
would give the Town another affordable unit.
Ms. Douglass asked that the proponents bring in more detail on the Architectural fees and that they
investigate moving the existing to their adjacent lot and seeking a variance for the setback. It was noted
that it would be a lot cheaper to move the unit 75' instead of off the premises. It was noted that a variance
could probably be eliminated if the lot line was expunged.
Mr. Ulshoeffer stated that he did not feel there was a need to provide extra amenities like a playground or
park on the premises. Mr. Zippo noted that if he produced 14 3-bedroom units, there would be more
likelihood for buyers to be families with children. He noted that if he did 3-bed units he would only be
required to produce 4 affordable units. He noted that 2 parking spaces are proposed for each unit and that
the units would have full basements with laundry hook-ups. He noted that HAC would do the lottery and
monitoring.
Mr. Ulshoeffer asked what the condo association fees would be. The proponents had not yet figured that.
Mr. Ulshoeffer asked that they include association membership into the deed restrictions and they provide
calculations of cost including a fee.
No action was taken. The next meeting was set for Wednesday, April 19`" at 3:30p.
The meeting was adjourned
Respectfully Submitted,
Jillian Douglass SIGNED ' ~ n APPROVED / 7 ~~
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