Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
Minutes July 23, 2003 PB
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TOWN OF CANTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING TOWN HALL SALAH MEETING ROOM WEDNESDAY JULY 23,2003 Members present: David Merrigan, Chairman, Peter Pineo, Vice Chairman, Jeremy Comeau, Clerk, Dean Miller and George Jenkins. 7:00 P.M. INTERIM HOUSING STRATEGY PLAN PUBLIC HEARING Upon a motion made by Mr. Comeau and seconded by Mr. Pineo, to open the Public Hearing, the Board voted unanimously 5-0 in favor. Upon a motion made by Mr. Comeau and seconded by Mr. Pineo, to waive the reading of the Public Hearing notice, the Board voted unanimously in favor, 5-0. The Public Hearing started with a presentation by the Chairman stating that the Planning Board has been asked to weigh in on the housing strategy that will be submitted to the State. The purpose is to show the State that we have been working to our goal to reach the 10% of our affordable housing. This is also a defensive mechanism so that if the Town sees us making progress towards our 10% and making commitments, then we can better be able to pick our projects that we want. The Town Planner, in his draft, has revised his study and it calls for committing for 65 units per year. The Intermit Housing study focuses on meeting our goal by having the private sector build the houses. It also talks about using the Wardwell site, Town own property, as part of that strategy. We are here to discuss that possibility. The problem would be that we have to live by the commitments and if we don't, that could be used against us. He asked if this is going to help us or hurt us if we don't meet them. Roger Nicholas spoke on his update. He has updated his housing strategy. This was distributed to the audience. He added a last chapter on page 8, called Chp. 4. It is the same strategy, but is clearer. Basically, it uses previous used sites, and avoids Greenfields. We should first look towards Brownfields and sites that could be recycled. The plan has to be updated every year. He went on to state that when a developer comes in, we hand them a list of sites we want to be recycled. Roger has talked to those in the State and they stated things change. If we say we are going to develop 65 units at Wardwell, we have a access problem. Mr. Merrigan asked if we approve a plan and nobody comes along, and no action happens. Mr. Pineo feels we should have a more realistic list of options for developers. Brownfields take longer to clean up and approve for building through State organization. George Jenkins asked if 1100 housing units is what is needed. Yes. He asked who is creating the problem. Is it the Town or the developers. Should we look at Zoning. Should we say to those before us, you will give one more than 10% in the approval. In the CCEOD there is not requirement in there for affordable housing. 10% plus one. That will get us nearer our number. Brownfields cost money to clean up. The way to affordable housing is to integrate it in all neighborhoods. At the Wardwell site, it is a big cut and fill operation. The volume of gravel is not that much. There are big holes there. He feels there should be some zoning changes. Simply put, if you want something, we want something. "Community is integration. " 1
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Jeremy Comeau spoke on mentally ill and if is allowable for our count. Dean Miller shares Peter and George's feelings. Agrees that the strategy before them tonight does not show how to do this, but that they would like to do this. He agrees that when we build new units in Town, we should ask for 10% of those units for our affordable number. He wants to see them integrated also. You would get better results. The plan does not tell us how to get there. He would not like to have the Town use the Waldwell site to satisfy our low income housing. It would mean we failed as a Town, for low income housing. Greg Pando, member of Zoning Board, spoke on the current version of 40-B regulations. He feels that the intent was to provide for people of need for affordable housing, but has turned into a tool for developers so they can by-pass local zoning and what has happened it we have these large projects that tend to destroy the fabric of the community. 40-Bs are in isolated areas, far removed from the hub. He does not think we need to do anything in our housing strategy to satisfy our 10% needs. Within the next year or two, being in the courts, and housing appeals, we will be there. He hopes that is the last large projects in this community. Housing for our citizens that work in the Town, is difficult. Starter homes our needed. Looking at our housing, the lots will be smaller. The house will smaller. If look at our zoning, the smaller area lots, are within the center of the Town. He proposes Adaptive re-use. Which is the conversion of the single home on smaller lots, to two family homes. Or take a 15,000 s.f. lot, and allow that house to be town down and have two new lots, with zero lot lines. Now you have two homes, both affordable. The developer will get a house at market, and get two homes. We need to spread out the units around Town. We could get 18 units per year. It would put these homes within walking distance of services. We have a desperate need for low income housing. He also feels that we should take a look at our zoning by-laws. Bill McDade, member of Canton Housing Authority spoke on all these plans we see, there are no units for low income housing. At one time, developers would provide rental units. One is Archstone. Mr. Marini gave seven units to low income housing. It is now sold to someone else. Low income housing is for those who have fallen on hard times by divorce, widows, loss of jobs, etc. He would like to be involved in these housing needs. On Bolivar St. (Archstone) we are losing seven units November 1, 2003. Maybe a letter sent to them from the Zoning Board or Planning Board. He proposes, that if we get the land, you can put up houses in the range of $150,000 - 200,000. It would be for a person who works for the Town. They would get a mortgage, live in and then they would have sell it back to the Town. They would like to have their input in this initiative. They have currently 264 units in Town under Canton Housing. Tony Braconi feels that the Planning Board should lead a workshop, including all agencies. He would like more housing for seniors. He likes integrated housing spoken by Mr. Pando. He would like to see the Planning Board take the lead. Frank Keefe spoke on accessory apartments being important to the elderly. He feels that the Canton Housing should set up a non-profit entity to be used for selecting candidates for their housing. He still feels that Town owned land is important in this strategy. He feels that Habitat For Humanity could build on Town land. Mr. McDade stated that we have elderly housing. Mr. Miller spoke about the Wardwell site and using it for Town employees and low income and also using it for soccer fields. In conclusion, the Chairman would like to gather comments, incorporate them into a memo, circulate it, and then pass it on to Roger, asking him to come up with a revised draft for housing strategy and then circulate that to various boards, prior to a workshop. Upon a motion made by Mr. Comeau and seconded by Mr. Miller, the Board voted to end the public hearing. Voted 5-0 in favor. 2