HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2018-05-16 Minutes Brewster Housing Partnership Minutes 5/ 16/ 18
Members present : Ralph, Steve, Lisa , Ned , Sarah , Jillian 1 ` _I
Guests present : Donna Kalinick, Cynthia Bingham , Ryan Bennett, Laura Harbottle, Elbert Ushoeffer
1 . Meeting called to order at 6 : 00 .
2 . Minutes of the last meeting were approved .
3 . Presentation — Ryan Bennett and Laura Harbottle
• Housing Production Plan 2017 — Strategy # 1 — Accessory Dwelling Units and Strategy # 2 ,
Housing over commercial space
• Laura Harbottle hired to provide technical assistance in drafting the proposed
Affordable Housing Bylaw amendment
• See Powerpoint presentation attached
• Discussion/questions .
o Q. ADU — attached by right vs . detached ? A . Attached would require building
permit; Detached may require special permit by ZBA
o Proposed owner occupancy — year round vs . seasonal ? A . Orleans requires
owners to provide a statement of year- long occupancy and no short-term
rentals . Consider using voter registration criteria — if voting in MA vs . another
state ( "snowbirds" ) than eligible
o What is an "accessory commercial ?" A . Up to 3 units on one lot, not including
the commercial unit
o Laura ' s research shows that about 50% of current single family homes are on
lots near 250, 000 square feet .
o For ADU ' s that would be in a basement or above a garage, inlaw apartment, etc .
( within the perimeter of the existing building ) , may consider allowing smaller
lot/unit size vs . new building .
o Public Comment — Mr . Ushoeffer participated in the original drafting of the
town ' s ADU Bylaw and offered perspective and suggestions including that
originally the town was concerned with water conservation, school populations
and the complexity of satisfying Board of Health Concerns . Adopting model
from Cape Cod Commission didn ' t have lot size restrictions and increased
density would be a concern for Planning Board . He recommends adopting
model bylaw language, while not meeting affordability concerns, still increases
housing opportunities .
4 . Housing Coordinator Updates — Donna Kalinick presented in Jill Scalise' s absence
• Noted that the educational component of the Housing Coordinator' s work is the
" building block" for housing opportunities to come; Collaborations among the town
committees have made a difference, particularly at town meeting;
• FAQ page developed
• Jillian noted that there appeared to be a misconception at Town Meeting that there is
more land and lots available in the town to develop for housing and that should be
included in educational information
• Donna acknowledged Jillian Douglass' work in the past as being essential to the passing
of the housing articles at Town Meeting
5 . Millstone Road — Article No . 8 at Town Meeting to purchase parcel approved
6 . Municipal Housing Trust — Select Board has determined that Trustees will be appointed for 2
year terms; one member will be a member of the Brewster Housing Partnership . Sarah Robinson
expressed interest in representing BHP as a trustee
7 . Council On Aging — postponed until a future meeting TBD .
Note — a moment of silence was held in memory of former Town Employee, Karen Halloran
Meeting adjourned 7 : 22 p . m . Next meeting : May 16, 2018 at 6 : 00 p . m .
Respectfully submitted ,
Lisa Forhan