HomeMy Public PortalAboutHousing Partnership -- 2017-10-18 Minutes Brewster Housing Partnership Minutes 10/ 18/ 17 i
Members present : Vanessa, Diane, Ralph , Steve, Lisa , Ned ' = :1 I•:,
Guests present : Jill Scalise, Charlie Sumner, Joe Hanson , Stefanie Coxe
Meeting called to order at 6 : 02 .
1 . Approval of Minutes of prior meeting as submitted .
2 . Stefanie Coxe from Smarter Cape Cod discussed " Model Zoning Provisions" to address housing
issues in Cape Cod towns .
a . "Shape The Cape" study showed a 26% decline in Cape Cod residents aged 25-44;
availability of affordable housing is a factor,
b . Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU ' s ) were identified as " low hanging fruit" in terms of
creating housing opportunities, examples include In - law apartments, carriage houses,
basement apartments
c . Questions .
i . What encourages/discourages this model ? A . Makes permit By Right allowing
for predictability, income or family member requirements are discouraging,
owners often feel more comfortable renting to non -family acquaintances,
choosing renter from list of income qualified applicants doesn't encourage
young professionals to stay on cape .
ii . What are issues that result in community opposition ? A . Concerns about
creating duplexes; unmitigated growth .
iii . What about legal protections for renters, impact on neighborhoods ( i . e . elderly
homeowners ) ? A . Noise or nuisance by- laws may be an option .
iv . Are there concerns about no owner-occupancy requirement/absentee
landlords ? A . Can be addressed by by- laws allowing non -owner occupied
property to have only one unit occupied at a time .
v . Has this failed to pass legislative process in any towns ? A . No — Provincetown ,
Truro and Falmouth approved ; scheduled for vote in Eastham and Chatham in
the spring . If a proposal fails, it cannot be brought for a vote again for two
years .
vi . Has a town considered limiting the # of ADU units ? A . No, but a model could
consider such a limit . Data shows that occupancy density is not likely to change;
average occupancy is less than intended .
vii . Monitoring ? Town resources needed if approved ? A . Neighbors tend to
monitor neighbors and file complaints; Can be an annual inspection
requirement paid for by fee paid by homeowner .
viii . What is the way forward ? A . Assess town support, draft a model . Review by
Board of Selectman, Planning Board . CCYP can advocate .
d . Recommendation/ next steps : Jill will bring Smarter Cape Fact Sheet to Ryan Bennett,
Consider providing the info to Brewster Department Head meeting; Housing Partnership
to discuss an action plan at next meeting .
3 . Housing Production Plan — Jill provided a comprehensive summary of updates of Housing Coordinator
activities since July; Is re - designing the Buy- down program application .
Meeting adjourned at 7 : 10 . Next meeting : November 15 at 6 : 00 p . m .
Respectfully submitted ,
Lisa Forhan
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