Provincetown

Local Housing Partnership

 

March 25, 2005

10:00 a.m.

 

 

Members attending:          Arturo Alon,  Scott Campbell, Tim

Hazel, and Teri Nezbeth.

 

Members absent:                  Cindy Bowes and Eileen Kennedy (both excused)

 

Others:                           Maxine Notaro and Doug Taylor                           

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m.

 

AGENDA:

 

Conversation with Ken Weiss, pending project

Ken Weiss said he came to discuss the additional one-bedroom property which was approved in January.  Right now the unit is deed-restricted as an affordable unit and he wanted to know if the Board preferred a rental or a purchase property.  He also continued saying, “We need to have these deed restrictions on properties finalized and standardized.”  He went on to say that the Town counsel needs to state just what is needed in an agreement.  Ken feels that this request adds cost to the Town, and it’s not fair to the people who are trying to develop affordable housing. 

 

Ken has tried maintaining a dialogue with Lauren Goldberg and it goes nowhere.  He envisions having a standard form that you can pull off the internet.  Then everyone would know all the rules governing deed restrictions.

 

Tim Hazel turned to Doug Taylor and said that they had raised these same issues in January and the Partnership also wonders if they are any closer to a standard?  Doug agreed that he would like that but it hasn’t happened yet and he also hopes that we see a lot more community housing this year but no standard yet.

 

Ken continued that every time there’s a new project, the attorneys come up with a boiler plate form with a few changes and then charge the Town for each project.  Returning to Ken’s original question. “Is there a preference for that new unit on Race Point Road - rental or sale?”  He thinks he’s heard a Board preference for rentals.  He proposed using it for the lottery.

 

Ken next skipped to community housing and wants to know how these permits get issued?  “There are no incentives.  Is there any thinking that the Board would advocate a financial incentive?”

 

Tim Hazel responded that we’ve had discussions – but there has been no definitive idea.  Ken Weiss thinks the partnership has been given a whole lot of power i.e., if they approve of a project then they can cause the permit to be issued.  “There is nothing defined in gallonage or anything.”

 

Ken continued saying he has 4 lots on Cemetery Road and each one would support 3 apartment units.  Wondered if he were to do 4 units on one lot – wonders if he were to double the number of units – then would the LHP support him?  He just wants to begin a discussion on it.  It would mean 8 community housing units and Ken wants to go to the head of the queue.  “So will this allow it?”  Ken only wants a dialogue and sponsorship.

 

Tim Hazel wants to think about it and not make a rash judgement.  Public perception means a lot and no one understood the Harry Kemp Way development that Ken did.  No one sees community covenants and deed restrictions – just units and how many.

 

Ken said he didn’t like the negative comment. 

 

At this point the discussion became cyclical.

 

Ken said, “you guys are the gate-keepers of the permits!”

 

Tim Hazel said, “Until we can read the directions before opening the toy, I don’t think we can make decisions.”

 

Doug Taylor promised to do the research for this.

 

AJ would like more discussion but until we have more guidance, community housing is on hold.

 

Discussion on Lottery Selection Process

AJ’s concern is how one person can qualify for a 2 bedroom unit?  Doug Taylor doesn’t know.  AJ wondered, “Who does know?”  Tim then asked Doug if we are we getting any closer to regionalization for record keeping, i.e., qualifying eligibility, income verification, etc.?   Tim said that when we get the answers that will take a big load off us. 

 

It was thought that the ‘advertised for’ Assistant Town Manager will also become an Affordable Housing Specialist.

 

A woman in the audience said that the guidelines are very vague.  Doug said that  everything needs to be fine tuned. 

 

At this point the discussion was tabled.

 

Any other business that shall properly come before the board

AJ told the group that he had been contacted by Clem Silva who proposed to make the entire 2nd floor of his building into affordable housing units.  It was stated that a lot of amendments have to be done to original plan.    AJ will contact Clem again for clarification and perhaps ask him to come in for a discussion and a request.

 

Warrant Articles:

Special Town Meeting

Article 1.  Conveyance of 2.2-acre Care Campus Site to New England Deaconess Association

Motion:  Teri Nezbeth made a motion to approve STM Article 1., Scott Campbell seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.

 

Article 2.  Care Campus:  $1.9-million in Community Preservation Funds for Community Housing Restriction.

Motion:  Teri Nezbeth made a motion to approve STM Article 2, Tim Hazel seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.

 

Annual Town Meeting

Article 6.  Community Preservation Budget for FY 2006.

Motion:  Teri Nezbeth made a motion to approve ATM Article 6, Scott Campbell seconded the motion and it passed 4-0-0.

 

Article 12.  Zoning By-law Amendments:  Affordable and Community Housing Units – Provincetown Local Housing Partnership.

Motion:  Tim Hazel made a motion to approve ATM Article 12, Teri Nezbeth seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.

 

Article 13.  Zoning By-law Amendment:  Extend Amnesty for Affordable Accessory Apartments.

Motion:  Teri Nezbeth made a motion to approve ATM Article 13, Scott Campbell seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.

 

Article 17.  Accept MGL C.40,, Chapter 15A; Transfer Tax Title property at 951R Commercial Street to Housing Authority.

Motion:  Teri Nezbeth made a motion to approve ATM Article 17, Tim Hazel seconded the motion and it was approved 4-0-0.

 

Approval of Minutes

There were none to approve.

 

Adjournment

It happened at 11:04 a.m.

 

The next meeting will be held on April 15, 2005 at 9:00 a.m.  NOTE START TIME!

 

Respectfully submitted,

Evelyn Gaudiano

Evelyn Rogers Gaudiano

 

Approved by ____________________________on ______________, 2005.

                             Arturo Alon, Chairman