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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-02 Affordable Housing Trust Minutes North Andover Affordable Housing Trust Meeting Minutes December 2, 2025 Present: Richard Vaillancourt(chair), Robert Bernardin(Treasurer), Laurie Burzlaff, Peter Koesterherm, Janice Phillips,Joyce Pinkham, and Nathan Sanders. The meeting was called to order at 5:03PM in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall. Request from Centro de Apoyo Familiar(CAF)to extend grant agreement for 20 Brown Court For this agenda item only,Yicaury Melo. Walkiria Pool and Damaris Frias-Batista of CAF joined the meeting via video conference. Mr. Vaillancourt inquired about the reason and duration of the requested extension. Representatives of CAF explained that the original grant was approved in 2023 for 20 Brown Court. The merger with Bread and Roses Housing, the acquisition of 14-16 Brown Court, and the subsequent reshaping of the project to include three two-unit town houses took significant time during which the zoning for the project could not progress. The duration of 12 months was recommended by the attorney who works with CAF on this project, Mr. John Smolak. He advised that obtaining zoning approval may take up to 12 months,whatever path CAF decided to go. Mr. Vaillancourt further inquired about the approach and readiness of CAF to obtain zoning approval. CAF stated that Mr. Smolak essentially mentioned two available options: (a) obtaining the necessary variances, or(b)requesting approval as a"friendly"40B project. CAF and their attorney were aware of another, large 40B project that would result in the town satisfying the 10%Affordable Housing Unit requirement,but would try to bring this project as a 40B before the zoning board prior to approval of the large 40B project. CAF reuses building designs from another project which have been adjusted for the Brown Court location. A change in project layout and building size/structure would require significant additional cost for new design and design drawings. CAF has completed a land survey for three equal lots, in support of the new project layout. Mrs. Burzlaff mentioned that a"friendly"40 B project may not be approved, not the least because the other, large 40B project is currently already before the Zoning Board. She also estimated that a regular application for zoning with variances should last significantly less than 12 months. Mrs. Phillips asked whether CAF and their attorney have explored any path forward("Plan C")if both zoning approval with variances, and"friendly"40B should fail. Page 1 of 3 CAF stated that they would then try to restructure the project around the existing plot layouts, albeit incurring significant additional cost. Mr. Koesterherm and Mr. Vaillancourt inquired whether CAF considers the project still financially viable with fewer than the currently planned 6 units, and whether CAF would continue the project with fewer than 6 units. CAF stated their intent to maximize the number of units on the plots,but to continue with fewer units if absolutely necessary. CAF also pointed out that fewer units will drive up unit cost. Mrs. Burzlaff made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pinkham to approve the request of CAF to extend the grant agreement for 20 Brown Court by 2 years as presented. Motion was approved 7-0. Update on Critical Home Repair Program The board briefly reviewed the list of current projects under the Critical Home Repair Program. The program is currently funded with$150,000. Both projects'budget is around$20,000 each. Habitat for Humanity,who executes the program,reported that they received about 20 inquiries. The report did not include any details about these inquiries. Board members considered the adoption rate and relatively fast project initiation a success. Mrs. Pinkham pointed out that the program may likely serve another 6 to 7 applicants, and the board may need to consider additional funding. Mrs. Burzlaff informed the other board members that CPC funds of$100,000 that were explicitly approved for the program in 2024 now have been returned to the town, since it has been determined that CPC funds cannot be used for maintenance or improvement of existing properties. Mrs. Phillips stated that she already has approached the Mass Secretary for Housing and Livable Communities with the request to initiate changes allowing CPC funds being used for improvement of existing properties, but was so far not successful. She will continue discussing this issue with him. Mrs. Burzlaff will request Town Counsel to review the use of CPC funds for the Critical Home Repair Program,the Downpayment Assistance Program, and the Rental Assistance Program. She pointed out that CPC funds are not the only funding source available to the board; other funding comes through the HOME program. Other Business Mrs. Burzlaff pointed out that CPC Grant Applications are due by January 30, 2026. She expressed that the board should ask for the maximum allowable grant,with the rationale that only the AHT can quickly act to make funding available if opportunities arise. Currently, there are several buildings in town that may be available for conversion into affordable housing units. In some cases the AHT could"buy"the perpetual deed restriction from the owner making the unit an affordable unit. Mr. Sanders asked whether these opportunities are systematically identified, and Mrs. Burzlaff answered that most of these come to the attention of Town Management through word of mouth. Mr. Robert Bernardin mentioned that the North Andover Housing Authority(NAHA)currently is in the process of rezoning the Fountain Drive property. Mr. Villancourt added his expectation that NAHA will Page 2 of 3 request some funding for the project from the AHT since the board can act quickly,which would be another reason for requesting the maximum allowable grant. The chair, Mr. Vaillancourt, listed topics to be included in the agendas of the January through March 2026 meetings: • AHT Goals for 2026 • CPC Grant Application for 2026 • Fountain Drive Update • Brown Court Update by CAF and their attorney • Critical Home Repair Application Process Review Approve minutes of November 4,2025 and November 13, 2025 Mr. Bernardin made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sanders to approve the minutes of November 4, 2025 and November 13, 2025 as presented. Minutes of November 4, 2025 were approved 7-0;minutes of November 13, 2025 were approved 5-0, with Richard Vaillancourt and Nathan Sanders abstaining. Next Meeting The next meeting is planned for January 13, 2026. Adjournment Motion for adjournment was made by Mrs. Pinkham, seconded by Mr. Bernardin at 5:55PM. Motion approved 7-0. MEETING MATERIALS: • Minutes Nov 4, 2025 and Nov 13,2025 • Letter of Request by CPA for 2 year extension of the grant for 20 Brown Court • List of current projects under the Critical Home Repair Program Page 3 of 3