Affordable Housing Trust January 9, 2018, 6:30 pm Public Safety Building Minutes Present: Adam Ameden, Michael Marcucci, Ann Thompson, Todd Trehubenko, Jim Brand, Jack Wolfe, Kristine Trierweiler Absent: Tim Bonfatti Others present: John Kelly, Candace Lowen, Brian McMillian, Bill Massaro, Kevin Stoddard, Gerald Kazanjian, Tony Centore, Lee Tredway, Brent Nelson, Nancy Hall, Scott Luczak, Denise Luczak, Laurel Scotti The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. The Committee reviewed the minutes of 11/27/2017, motion to approve and the vote was unanimous. Chairman Michael Marcucci introduced the Committee and reviewed the agenda for the evening. The Committee discussed the meeting on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. The Committee will review the policies and procedures for the AHT, and action plan for the Committee. A budget will also be developed for the Committee for the next two years. Draft budget documents will be circulated before the meeting. Committee members were asked to forward any comments to Mike Marcucci or Roberta Cameron, COG, before the meeting. Candace Lowen, Medfield Housing Authority and Brian McMillan, Newgate Brian McMillan provided an update on the Medfield Housing Authority Project. MHA and Newgate are still working on document drafts between Newgate and MHA. Although moving slowly, there has been no set back on the timeline, yet. The work being done now will be for the next DHCD funding round which should be about 12 months from now. The Plan will be to finalize documents and then go before the ZBA, so that the permitting is closest to completion by the time financing is requested. Mr. McMillan anticipates that the pre-application period will be December 2018, and then the full application will be submitted in early 2019. In the meantime, Mr. McMillan anticipates the comprehensive permit from ZBA in 2018.
Candace Lowen thanked Brian McMillan for his work on the master development agreement and coordinating with the MHA and the attorneys. MHA anticipates that once MDA is completed, the project eligibility letter will be requested from DHCD. Once letter is requested, there is a 30 day comment period for the Town. Committee asked the following: 1. Is this a 9% allocation? Mr. McMillan confirmed yes. 2. Is there a waiting list yet? Mr. McMillan responded - there has not been a list set up for this project yet. Tilden Village has a long, existing wait list with a local preference. 3. Will there be a lottery? Mr. McMillan responded - the project has to be completed with a lottery, same process that was conducted with the Parc project. 4. How long is this process? Mr. McMillan responded - could be five (5) year process from beginning to end. Committee opened the discussion to the audience: Bill Massaro, Evergreen Way - How long will this really take? If it is five years then I suggest at some point, the Selectmen or the Committee get the legislators involved. I have been asking for this for a while now. The legislators have been helpful in expediting items with DHCD. Rep. Garlick has her State of the Town address at the end of January. This may be helpful for the Committee to attend and ask for assistance. Ms. Lowen reported that Representative Garlick gets regular updates and is fully supportive of the project. MHA has met with her at the State House and she has already been putting out feelers for support for the project. Once we have the plans finalized, they we will share with the Representative so we can move forward. Kevin Stoddard, Baker Road - Are there funding rounds every year? Mr. McMillian stated, there are but they seem to be moving slower and slower with each round, averaging about 12 months. The Committee thanked Ms. Lowen and Mr. McMillan for the update and asked the MHA to keep them updated on any changes to the timeline or process. Committee discussed the budget for the AHT The Committee feels they should create a budget for the next two years. The AHT hasn t had to use any substantial amount of funding. The Committee should send thoughts to Chairman Marcucci or Roberta Cameron, COG, regarding the budget. The budget will be discussed at the Saturday morning session.
Updates on Projects Jim Brand gave a project list and dates to the Committee and discussed timing of the projects. Mr. Brand will update the project list monthly. Jim Brand spoke to Dave Connor of the Legion in December. The Legion has been working with Michael Larkin, and received a proposal to purchase the Legion from Mr. Larkin, but the proposal didn t come to terms. The Legion has no development partner right now. Dave Connor will come to the February AHT meeting to discuss the Legion and see how the AHT can help. Medfield Green: AHT Presentation John Kelly gave a brief history of the project. Currently, there are two concepts plan in place. The initial application was for 183-200 units and is now 36 units. One concept is all rental units, 100% SHI, and the other is 24 ownership units and 12 rentals units. Mr. Kelly said there will be no modern architecture. The entrances have been moved away from Dale Street and North Meadows Road. The entrances are now closer to the DPW. Mr. Kelly said 12 Sale/24 Rental seem to be the preference with cottage style homes. The buildings will be in 6 unit blocks with 4 varying units. The units will be different in elevation, color and style. These are not cookie cutter units. At the rear of the site, there will be 2 separate car parking lots. These will not be accessible to Allendale residents to come through. All entrances will be on Route 27. Mr. Kelly said the 12 Sale units will be at market rate averaging $300 per square foot. The median home price is $500,000. The units will not have garages and all parking will be centralized. The rental option of 36 rentals will also have centralized parking, Questions from Board: 1. Is there a specific ask or request of the AHT? Mr. Kelly said he would like guidance from the AHT to move forward with a concept. Chairman Marcucci said they would vote on a recommendation to the BOS to move forward with the LIP project. Then BOS can decide if we want to give support. Mr. Kelly said his is asking for no financial support from AHT, just support for the LIP project. 2. How many for sale would be affordable? Mr. Kelly said 25%; 3 for sale units and 25% of rental. 3. How will the project be financed? Mr. Kelly said privately, through land acquisition and then construction debt loans.
4. What will the style of houses be? For the for sale units, they will be 1 story with dormers, and proposing 172 feet at the highest points on site. The proposed height will be 160 feet at the lower site. Mr. Kelly noted the abutters are at 156 feet so they will reduce the grade to the Allendale elevation. Questions from other attendees: Gerald Kazanjian, 77 Granite Street: What are the different rooms? Mr. Kelly said porch, master bedroom on 1 st floor, kitchen, living room, and 2 bathrooms. Finished basements could be added but they haven t been shown on the plans yet. The middle units will have no master bedroom on first floor. There will be 9 units on ground floor. The rental units can be more flexible in size however all will be apartment style, all on one level. Tony Centore, 27 Longmeadow Road: Mr. Centore gave a compliment to Mr. Kelly and said the project is attractive however as a senior, Mr. Centore feels a second story is a no/no and no garage is a no/no. Mr. Centore feels the current plan is not working for the seniors. Mr. Centore suggests having units with only one level, and making a bigger footprint. Unidentified audience member: Where is everyone going to park? Mr. Kelly hopes to add a few spaces to get the required parking ratio similar to The Parc. They are at 1.7 spaces per unit. Lee Tredway, 14 Kenney Road: Mr. Tredway asked if any of the units will have garages. Mr. Kelly said no unit has a garage. The current plan is for centralized parking. There are no garages here in either concept discussed. Gerald Kazanjian, 77 Granite Street: Mr. Kazanjian said, as a senior, I want to go from the garage into the house. Mr. Kazanjian said he is too old to be walking around, and brushing off snow. Mr. Kazanjian said he would not sell his house and lose a garage. Mr. Kazanjian feels seniors will not benefit from this project at all. Mr. Kelly said that to add garages, the footprint becomes very large and the elevations become too high. Brent Nelson, 28 Dale Street: Mr. Nelson said his house is worth $500,000 with no parking and no garage; and it is not an issue. Mr. Nelson feels these units will sell just fine. Nancy Hall, 10 Bridlefield Lane: Ms. Hall complimented Mr. Kelly on the proposed project and appreciates how he has listened to townspeople and made changes. Ann Thompson noted she likes the units with a 2 nd floor for guests. Ms. Thompson feels the apartment style units look like army barracks.
Kevin Stoddard, 6 Baker Road: Mr. Stoddard said that he as attend most meetings regarding this project and Mr. Kelly has made changes regarding everything townspeople have asked for. Jack Wolfe asked for the rental price point. Mr. Kelly said around $250 per square foot; making the cost $2,200-$2,400 for the rental price. That is the going price on a comparable rental. Mr. Kelly noted that Medfield does not have comparable rentals. The closest comparable is Natick and they are over $300 per square foot. Tony Centore, 27 Longmeadow Road: Mr. Centore said that if abutters don t approve of a project and if it not serving the seniors in town, he doesn t see the point of the project. Chairman Marcucci said there are 12,000 people in Medfield including 3,000 seniors with a variety of interest. Some are interested in rentals and others might not be. Chairman Marcucci said the project needs to be looked at from the overall impact to the Town. Chairman Marcucci explained the town of Medfield is trying to get to the 10% safe harbor and would like to get there on our own terms. Chairman Marcucci said it is much easier to integrate and feather in affordable housing over time. Scott Luczak, 18 Charlesdale Road: Mr. Luczak is concerned about loading up a small portion of 27 with traffic. Chairman Marcucci said the ZBA will handle the traffic issue. Todd Trehubenko clarified that Mr. Kelly is asking the AHT for support. The AHT is to address the issue of a 40B to the Town. The ZBA will address the traffic issue. Laurel Scotti, Green Street: Ms. Scotti said a stoplight at North and Green is needed. If the Medfield Green development goes in, the cut through will be Dale Street to North Street. Ms. Scotti asked for a serious look at a traffic light on North and Green Street. Ms. Scotti said there are a lot of new buildings in a very small area. Ms. Scotti doesn t feel every project needs to be approved. Chairman Marcucci said the AHT appreciates smaller developments. The town is trying to stay in Safe Harbor. Every development needs to be weighed against the risk that if we do say no, we are out of Safe Harbor and lack of control to the town is a reality. Chairman Marcucci feels this project deserves a fair hearing at the ZBA. Tony Centore, 27 Longmeadow Road: Mr. Centore asked what the planned uses are for the Affordable Housing Trust money. Chairman Marcucci said the budget is being discussed. Chairman Marcucci said we are looking at possible ideas of $25,000 in support of the Tilden Village project, potential marketing assistance to LIP projects, and Group Home support in Medfield. The goal is to not have to spend all of funds and the AHT is trying to sort out the projects. Mr. Centore asked if town-owned land will be put into the Trust. Chairman Marcucci said when you put town-owned land into the Trust; it will sit there, a plan will be devised for it and then the AHT would take custody of it. Chairman Marcucci said we are doing that on Hinkely property. The land doesn t have to be in the AHT to do that.
Denise Luzak, 18 Charlesdale Road: The Legion is another development between West Street and Dale Street. This is another 40B project. What is the AHT doing over there? Mr. Brand said for the past 5 months, the Legion was talking with potential partners to develop some housing to keep the Legion open. Their plan is to maintain the legion hall and keep it open. John Kelly, Medfield Green: Mr. Kelly said thank you, again for the time with the AHT. We appreciate you going through this and working with the abutters. Mr. Kelly feels it is important to work collaboratively. Mr. Kelly asked which concept the Board prefers. Chairman Marcucci said he liked the mix better. There has been a lot of rental so far, so the mix is good. Chairman Marcucci would like the price points to be a bit lower. Mr. Brand and Mr. Trebuhenko liked the ownership/rental mix. Mr. Brand made a motion to adjourn at 8:08PM. Seconded by Ms. Thompson. The Vote: 5-0.