HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-09-25 Reading Housing Authority Minutes - Executive SessionREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING
OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2000
An Executive Session meeting of the Reading Housing Authority was held on Monday,
September 25, 2000 at 6:20 P.M. at the office of the Authority, 22 Frank D. Tanner
Drive in the town of Reading, Massachusetts. The meeting was called to order at 6:20
P.M. with the Chair, Mr. Allen, presiding. Also in attendance were Mr. Kelley, Ms.
Connors and Mr. Sweet as well as the Executive Director, Ms. Plansky. The
Authority's attorney was also in attendance.
Executive Session
At 6:20, upon a motion duly made by Mr. Sweet and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was
VOTED: To adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing real estate
matters and to return to regular session before adjourning by the following roll call vote:
Mr. Kelley — aye
Ms. Connors — aye
Mr. Sweet —aye
Mr. Allen - aye
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
82 Linden Street — Comnrehensive Permit Anneal
Mr. Greco reported on the mediation conference call on September 20, 2000 with
Housing Appeals Committee, Mr. Lohe; Town Counsel Ted Cohen; Bill Gillis
representing the abutters and Mr. Greco.
Mr. Greco reported that the 6 units was the only financially viable alternative for the
Authority. Without the income from the 6 units, this project would not work. In an effort
of all parties to compromise and with the rising costs to the Authority due to time and the
appeal, a suggestion was made to have a private developer /contractor buy the property
and convert it to 4 units with 1 -2 units being Section 8 project based. Mr. Gillis stated
that he believed this would be acceptable to the abutters.
If the 4 units are agreeable to the abutters, there are 3 possibilities:
1. The ZBA could grant a permit for the construction/rehabilitation of 4 units in this
building by agreement of the neighbors and the Town. This would be agreeable
to the Town as it would take them out of a lawsuit; the neighbors seem agreeable
because of less density in the neighborhood; RHA would get at least I unit of
Section 8 in the building. Mr. Greco believes thattl would also be agreeable to
the Seller as he would be getting his asking price' is action would effectively
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Minutes
close down the lawsuit. The only problem is that the numbers are tight with 2
project based Section 8 units, but would work with one.
2. The second option could be a Local Initiatives Program which would require that
25% of the units be set aside for 15 years. This would also be agreeable to the
Selectmen and would count for certification toward affordable housing.
3. The third option would be the issuance of a Comprehensive Permit by the
Housing Appeals Committee on our current appeal. This would have the
advantage of permitting project -based Section 8 to be used under the
Comprehensive Permit route for the first time and would assist this Authority and
other authorities in new efforts. This is a less likely scenario as the Housing
Appeals Committee would be making a landmark decision and might be reluctant
to do so.
Upon a motion duly made by Mr. Sweet and seconded by Ms. Connors, it was
unanimously
VOTED: To authorize our attorney, Mr. Greco, to negotiate a settlement at 82 Linden
Street of four (4) units which shall be acceptable to the neighbors, the Town; the
Authority and the Seller and to attempt to obtain 1 -2 units to be set aside under housing
authority programs within the 4 unit- approved building.
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
At 7:20 P.M, there being no further business before the Board, it was
VOTED: To adjourn from Executive Session and to return to regular session by the
following roll call vote:
Mr. Kelley — aye
Ms. Connors — aye
Mr. Sweet —aye
Mr. Allen - aye
The Chairman then declared said motion carried and said vote in effect.
Respectfully submitted,
Margare . Plansky, Secretary
and Executive Director