meeting of the community housing committee for January 12, 2026. I'm Drew Krauss, the uh vice chair sitting in for the chair, John Bar. And
there is a uh we have members attending by remotely. So, I'm going to do a roll call to establish who is here. Okay. Um, Deardra Bagen
>> here. >> Lee Hamilton >> here. >> Pamela Sonors >> here. >> Myra Saheennitz >> here. >> Greg Wheeler. >> Hello. Here. >> And Drew Krauss is here. Have I missed anyone? >> Josh.
>> Josh Tat >> here. >> Good to see you. >> Hi Josh. How you doing? >> Uh, I'm happy to be able to join again. And um you know, I had my stroke four months ago and it's been a bit of a struggle, but things are starting to get back to normal. So glad to be here.
>> Glad to hear it. Glad to have you. >> I didn't know that. Uh Josh, thanks for informing us. You sound very good. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um everything's progressing well. Uh fortunately, the type of stroke I had is uh I'm expected to have full recovery, but might still be a little
bit. >> Okay. >> Well, we missed you. >> Yes. Yes, >> we're glad you're doing so much better than you had been. >> Okay, >> thanks. >> Next agenda committee business 1A minutes.
The old We have minutes from two of our previous meetings >> or more. How many minutes do we have here? >> We have December 8th, 2025 and June 9th, 2025. >> Okay. >> So, Greg, you see a typo? >> Yeah. in the uh June minutes. You
misqued me. I'm happy about that. >> Uh actually, you just you missed a four. It it says uh 08651. It should be 408651. >> Yep. That's a big big typo. [laughter]
>> Might as well fix the year, too. >> Oh, I didn't even see that. See, focus on money. >> 2206. >> What? >> At the end of the sentence. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Got it. >> Okay. So, we're we're discussing the
minutes of June 9, 2025, right? >> Yep. >> Are there any other comments about those minutes? >> Okay. So, uh how about a motion to accept the minutes as just uh with the recommended changes
as outlined by Greg and Myra. Second. >> Second. >> Okay. Can we So, I'll do a uh I'll do a vote here. Pamela. >> Will abstain.
>> Josh. >> No. >> You weren't you weren't here, were you? Yeah. I >> Okay. >> Okay. Gotcha. >> Greg. >> Hi, >> Myra. Hi, >> Self. [clears throat] I [snorts] I >> Lee >> I >> Okay. Now the minutes of December 8th,
2025. Any comments about those minutes or suggested changes to me? >> Okay. Is [snorts] there a motion to accept them as written? >> Okay. My moves that. And who's going to second that?
>> I second. >> Okay. Um, here comes the vote. Okay. Uh, sport fans that are here remotely, Pommela Sanors, >> I. >> Very good. [snorts] Um, Joshua Trot,
>> I. >> Greg Wheeler, >> hi. >> Myraanic. >> Hi. >> Drew Krauss. I >> Deardra. >> I. >> And Lee. >> Hi. >> Okay, so we took care of the minutes.
And now we're on to the annual report. >> I have one correction. You spelled my name wrong. Uh >> oh. >> Dag nab it. >> It's a It's a very common issue. >> Is it an It's Dei. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> Deardra. >> Yes. >> My cousin is named Deerra and I know exactly how to spell it because of that. And [snorts] I think in the paragraph above the names, >> um, shouldn't that 2025 be 2026? >> Yep.
>> Okay. I think that's all I noticed. >> Wow, that's pretty good. >> You're doing good on getting the year things squared away here. >> Any other comments? Okay. So now somebody
needs to motion that we accept this report with the recommended changes included. >> I move that we accept this report with the recommended changes included. >> That's very well said, Craig. [laughter] >> Second. Anyone? >> Second.
>> Okay. All right. People on the uh remotely here. Here we go. Pamela Sonors >> I. Josh Trot. >> Hi, >> Greg Wheeler. >> Hi, >> Myra Suhenich. >> Hi, >> Drew Krauss. I
>> dear >> I >> Okay, we're done with that. >> Nice job on this report. >> Yeah, >> very nice. >> I use what Lorraine that nice lady Lorraine Doyle >> she wrote and kind of just updated.
>> Just updated. >> I remember her very well. Yes. Now we're on to old business. Okay. >> A Wood Road Habitat for Humanity neighborhood across the street at 11:21 Route 28.
Report on site visit. Go ahead. Uh, >> yep. So, we had a site visit there on January 5th at 11:00 a.m. Drew came. We had uh Rio Hayesi and Alli Sabatino from the state. They came down. Um, we had
Maryanne from Habitat and Norin Brown from Habitat. So, we know Norin. She's the one that's come to see it. And I think that once uh the project is permitted, Maryanne takes over. So, forgive me. I didn't write down your last name. Um but Bob Written
was there, Megan was there, Megan Eldridge, and I was there. So, it was good. And I think the state received the project very well. >> Yeah, there were good vibes there. >> Good vibes. Um and they Habitat fully expects that the state will issue a project eligibility letter and that
letter is called the PEL that allows Habitat to go forward to the zoning board of appeals and apply for a comprehensive permit. So onward um again again the the the system our new wastewater system is not
going to be able to accept flushes till 2028. So that's the schedule that we're on. >> Just off the top of my I'm just curious there seems how many steps are there from like
an idea to fruition? >> So the idea came to me it might be three years ago because there was a realtor that came in and it was already permitted for nine units.
three three uh three three unit three triplexes and they were going to be condominiums and nobody was really biting on the the purchase of that. So, a realtor came in and said, "Oh, you know, I want to help the owner with
getting this." And I said, "Oh, I know who will buy this land [laughter] from you and that." And so, from that little short little conversation, yeah, there's there's dozens of steps. I used to write it down >> three years to get to here. Yeah. >> And we're looking at another three years
before it's done. Well, I think Habitat is longer than most places because they have um volunteer builds, you know, that um that sweat equity. Um so that that's longer than most, but I've seen Habitat
go in front of zoning boards of appeals and get through in one meeting, you know. So there >> just because their reputation just high >> and this one got delayed. This one got bumped out at least 18 months because of
the uh sewer construction. So, this is not the best example to look at, but I used to have this list and I'll see if I can dig it up. It used to be from the start to the end what you have to do and I'd give it to developers and they'd be like, I'm out of here. [laughter]
>> How many pages is that? >> I think it's a page and a half, but it >> that's all right. I Yeah, I get it. I get it. I get it. is like and they were like I'm not doing affordable housing goodbye. So now I >> So >> it's important to have us supporting the developer. You know
>> the reason I asked is there was an article in in the Boston Globe Sunday about how a developer is suing Cambridge because he wants to topple the affordable housing uh situation across the city. Yeah. Yeah. I heard >> because of all the hoops. Yeah. So
>> so so that's inclusionary zoning, right? That's what >> um he's challenging uh the city's requirement that he is to provide affordable units because he triggered a certain density or quantity of units. So in Yarmouth,
you you create five or more units through rehab or new construction or whatever, you have to start providing affordable housing. That's called inclusionary zoning, >> right? So if you do five, you got to do one. Huh. >> Yeah. But you get a bonus one. >> You get a bonus one. I didn't that
that's >> good for me to have >> and I think at 10 you get two bonus ones but that then that's it. But >> okay. >> Um so these things they do get challenged. They do get challenged. is just, you know, these this zoning
[snorts] was uh promoted by the county and the state and our attorney general's municipal department approved all of those zoning changes and ordinances. You can't you can't go forward with your zoning until the attorney general
approves it and looks at it. So, you know, like we do all our stuff. We do all our the planning board does the public hearing and then town meeting and then it I don't you know this it all goes up to the AG for approval. So you know yeah people a lot of people have brought that article that little
tiny piece uh of u Boston has come this way but I think we'll be fine. >> What do you think? >> Yeah. No I don't think it's going anywhere either. I just thought it was curious that we're in the middle of a housing crisis and the developers are, you know, oh, I'm not making enough
money. Uh, you know, uh, >> I know it's a balance, right? >> All righty. So, now we'll go to the next section, which is the Madakis utilization product project up there on
Higgins Croll Road. An update. >> Yep. So, um I didn't go to the last muk meeting, but I did [laughter] >> looking right at Megan. So, you [clears throat] have um these five concept plans that went to the muck last
week. So, do you want to give us a a quick update? I can run through the designs. >> It's in the >> It's these. >> Oh, okay. At the bottom of all of these sheets,
they're labeled alternative alternative A, B, C1, C1, solar field, and C2. So, there's a total of five concepts that the MUK did vote to go forward to show the select
board on February 3rd. So, they'll be um with BSC group showing these five different designs. They're all slightly different. Uh, the first one has the housing on the right side or the or the south side of the property, which is
where the housing group wanted those to be. And it shows a sports complex, no school, and four full-size fields on the property. So, this one has um two
apartment buildings with 30 units each, a townhouse with six units, a community building, and a playground up at the top. And then it has two developments um habitat style developments over uh
closest to the police station. This one does have an access road that goes around the housing complex and then over to the parking lot. Um, police and fire like to have that.
So, this was alternative A. >> These are the final five. >> These are the final five that will go to the select board. These aren't the final five that will go to the public for their opinion. Um, they very well could
be, but they'll have to go to the select board first. And I'm guessing there'll be some tweaks made, some favorites, some non-favorites, and ideas given to BSC group to come up with some better designs that have more detail.
Um, easier for the general population to understand. >> You think there might be fewer than five in the end or more than five? >> We're hoping there'll be three. Um, five gives a lot of options and sometimes when there's too many options, it's hard to come to.
>> Yeah, two is ideal. [laughter] >> Not in this case. Let's see. Um, alternative B has it holds space for the school, which is one thing the muck decided on that at least one of the concept designs should have space for
the um Emmy small school whether it stays where it is or is redesigned and rebuilt where it is. Um, but this design has the school on the the left, the sports facility in the middle with the
fields um on the right side and housing options on the left. This one introduces Chickad Lane and there's five six single family home lots on that
road and then it drops in that same housing concept of the three apartment buildings. These are twostory rather than threetory. They have 20 units a piece. And then there's the sixunit townhouse with the playground.
So this has >> piece the townhouse. >> Six units in the townhouse. >> Okay. >> It's kind and I liked that they went to black lines. That helped me out. See,
it's great. >> These are these are the town houses. >> Oh, okay. >> Yeah. >> And these are all the other units. >> So these are the this is 20 unit building. 20 unit building. 20 unit building. Looks like that's a community center, a playground, and then town houses.
>> Okay. >> And then the chickity units. So, the the town planner um in had this really great idea to to introduce uh town houses, right? And that kind of
matches uh what the state does for uh funded uh properties because they put all the three bedroomedroom, you know, you have to have some three bedrooms if you want state money. They put all the three bedrooms in the townhouse building so that you don't have a threebedroom
like on a second or third floor and hear the pitterpatter all all day long. So that's >> So when it says six, the number six is on the townhouse. >> Yep. outline. So that means six threebedroom units.
>> Yeah. >> Could be. It's just a concept. But >> yeah, I mean that's that that's what that notion is on this particular piece of paper. So >> yes. >> Okay. >> So if you go back if you go back to the a there's there's that building. There's
a building that's >> and I didn't I didn't catch that those two multif family buildings that have 30 units each. Those are three story. >> Okay. >> So, thank you Megan for that. >> Two story. >> Afterwards, I'd like to get more detail
on the A because I missed that and I don't want you to go. >> Okay, we can go over it again, too. We We aren't too far away from it. So, >> okay. If >> you have some questions on it. >> So, so there were the two multif family buildings, 30 units each. They're both threetory
>> and that's on the other side now. >> That's over to the south, the southern side, >> right? All right. You got the community building, the playground, and then two mini cluster subdivisions. >> It's nice. >> Yeah, >> I know. >> That's our that was our vision in this
committee kind of, right? >> That really shows that they listened, right? >> So, yeah. >> So, that will be >> evidently that depends on no school, no elementary school building, >> right? >> Winding up on the property.
>> That's what it seems like here. that as well as the desire for immediate economic development impact. >> Okay. >> Because if we we know we have to leave the school for say five years. Yes. Anyways, um and if we want to develop
this property sooner than that with a sports complex, the only place to do that is on that right side. >> I'm getting it. You're right. that left or that right side, that south side, >> which brings us to um
>> alternative C1. >> Before we get to C1, just a quick question about the school. >> How do the how does the neighborhood feel about losing a school there? Has there been any feedback? Like, >> we don't want we want the school in the
neighborhood. We don't want to have our kids get on a bus and go to another part of town. Um um I don't know, but I I do know that the there is a feasibility study going on, which I'm sure will take that into account um how far their kids have to go to go to elementary school.
Yeah. >> But don't they get bust anyway? >> I mean, if they live right around the corner, I imagine they would Well, we just talked about this. They don't really walk anymore, but um but um >> yeah, a lot of kids get dropped off these days. Um, but we did just put in
that nice walkway that that bike lane. Um, okay. So, >> C1 >> C1 is um very similar to B, although
except it removes the school and adds more housing. So, if we choose to remove the school, everything is pretty much the same way as B, except it adds some single family
homes along Higgins Pearl Road and another circle here of of more town houses. So, these town houses that are in the center of the housing are four units each.
And there is one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. There's eight buildings. >> So there's there's no there's there's no longer the little subdivision, right, of single family detached homes.
They're they're just laid out differently, right? So remember we were talking about a a small subdivision for Habitat, small subdivision for municipal employees. So it it it would just be form set out different on the on the um
>> we never really talked about municipal um rentals and how that would work. I mean, that would be complicated because it would be rentals and they don't necessarily want to tie people. >> I think, right, I think we we could do it. We could do it. We you would have
you would have a a lease that would be very clear [snorts] >> how long that lease would be. And you know, there's other places that have done it, so we'll we'll learn from them. But I imagine that the lease is 12 months and it doesn't get renewed unless
you keep working for the town. And maybe you you know in total it's 36 months. Like you have three years to find something. >> So that's three years max. >> Okay. So, uh these uh 20 and 20 and 20
um those would be twostory >> twostory apartment buildings. And you can see there's a it looks like there's town houses of six units. That's probably the three bedrooms. And then
you have this completely like new or new new concept of you know one two three four >> seven town houses with four units each
>> that's right four units four five six seven eight [clears throat] >> eight town houses >> townhouse build 32 >> 32 that's right >> alternative C1 seems to have the most housing.
>> Yes, it does. Um, and it has all different tiers of housing. Single family, um, the town houses, the smaller town houses, the larger townhouse, and then the the apartment buildings, but they all remain under three stories,
which which is a a good thing. And what do you guys think about the little roundabout? >> You're a big fan >> fan of roundabouts, but it works there. [laughter] >> Real like I was like, how are they going to keep people from speeding through
this area? And I'm like, well, that will do it. >> Oh, there's actually two roundabouts. >> Oh, and [clears throat] this one there is there's two roundabouts. Thank you. >> I was just thinking for Josh and uh Pamela, you do do you have this on your computer, [clears throat] >> these pictures? Yeah. Yes.
>> Great. >> And the um the single family houses on the side. What are those little squares? Are those little sheds or something? >> Are not two pieces of property? >> I think there's a tree. >> I think they're they're >> driveway.
>> There's a driveway, which is more of a long rectangle. Then there's a square, which is the house. And they all have a tree or two on them. So, some of them do have a a a shaded tree and one is just a circle that I think is a non-shaded
tree. [snorts] So, no sheds on them. I don't know if that would be >> I just didn't know what those other little squares were. >> I think there's a sidewalk. [snorts] >> Oh, I'm looking at the chickity property. Never mind. >> Yeah, >> never mind. >> Oh, the the um private on the other
side. [laughter] >> Yeah, it's fine. Um, so this one they kept the fields on the right side away from the housing for lighting purposes, noise, that sort of thing.
And this is if the school is not an option. >> The next one see I keep interrupting. I apologize. So these sports fields these are it says multi-purpose. So we're looking at what? Lacrosse, soccer. Yes,
>> hockey. >> Any any of those will fit on these multi-purpose fields. They'll be um they'll have stripes for different sports. >> All of these properties show the um existing uh wreck building gone, right?
>> That's right. Yeah. So that's a new >> that that is something the the muck considered and the the financial studies show that it's just not feasible to to keep them. Yeah. >> Even even to remodel them would
>> be costly. >> We understood the school part was going to go for sure, but the other was >> still up for discussion, I thought. But okay. And this and this sports facility would have our local recreation
department would have access to some of those resources, right? >> Yes. The the goal is to have a public private partnership which would allow the town to use the sports complex, have use of the fields, uh maybe even have an office or or two inside the building.
[clears throat] >> Wow. So C1 solar is the same. It has the same amount of housing. It just pulls that housing down
and up into um off of the solar field. So there was talk about should we keep the solar field? Do we make money off of the solar field? Um all of those are still questions. So, we wanted to show that saving that solar field is an
option. It crowds things a bit um and it pushes pushes the housing down towards Higgins Croll Road and kind of squishes it together. There isn't as much space in between the units. Um and it it takes away a little bit of the the circular
flow of the traffic, but um it is a possibility. We talked about maybe not including this as an option, but in the end um there was questions on it, so we wanted to present it. >> I thought that they had said that that
solar site was outdated. >> It is. We we believe the lease is up in 2031. Um whether or not it's renewable, we're we're looking into that. >> Yeah. >> Habitat's construction usually includes
solar panels. Yes. And and we would we would want to look at solar installation on the roof of the sports facility. Um that'll be a wide open space, a good good area for it. >> So you could move the solar field to the
top of the sports. >> We wouldn't move the those units. Uh they would be out outdated. We would we would put new. We would install new Okay. All right. And then >> above the solar panel, see um 20 and 20
and six and I don't know what CB means. And what's that in between? >> 20 26 and it's a playground >> community building. Playground >> community center >> community building community. >> And you can see there's three 20 unit
buildings. and the one that's on the southernmost or the rightmost side, you can see it's dipping into like a resource >> area. So, it's just it's just something to think about. >> What does that cross-hatching mean exactly?
>> So, this the uh the long crosshatch is what is called a biomap. Um it's not a protected area. It's an area that has >> diagonal lines. It's along diagonal lines. >> Long diagonal lines and it kind of dips
into the property. >> Um it's been identified as nice to save areas. >> Um and where you see the white cross-hatching >> is where we're proposing to dip into the
biomap but restore it. So, the same amount of area that's being disturbed, >> which you'll see is that where that 20 unit apartment building is, and then over on the right where the multi-use field is, >> we're proposing to restore the area
where the Madaki school is currently. So, that's the white lines that go from >> Yes, I see. And then the words restoration area. >> That's right. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> I see. I didn't know that. This one shows 10 single family homes. Is that be that?
>> One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10. Yep. Still [clears throat] has that townhouse neighborhood. If we got a lot of, you know, this is this is very conceptual, but you you could those 20 units that are kind of in
that resource area, they could be get moved to the other two buildings and those buildings could be threetory, you know, that's the tradeoff that would >> and we were reminded over and over again that these are concept plans and it's
more of a placeholder showing this could fit here, this could fit there. So, kind of as we go, we'll mix and match as as we see it fit best. Um, and then the last concept is alternative C2,
which shows uh no school again. Um, but it puts the a fifth multi-use field up in the top of the property where the track is now.
So, this has a lot going on on it as well. Um, but it maximizes the space for the sports facility, which is one of the desires of the muck committee to show
the most amount of sports facility while still having housing on the property. So, this has the 10 single families, the three 20 units, plus a six unit
townhouse. So, it still has quite a bit of housing on it. Um, so those are the five concepts that will go on >> the town houses. >> Um, do you see the playground? >> One. Yeah. >> Okay. Just one. Okay.
something. >> But does it um does that multiffield come with big nightlights kind of a thing? >> Um it it doesn't have to. So we we were considering that as a multi-use field
for more than just soccer, maybe um a basketball court or a baseball field or something like that. Um, and again, we wouldn't want to put lights that close to the houses, but >> these houses in the chick as well.
>> Yep. Especially um with that solar field area being will most likely be very barren for quite a while um after it's removed. >> Thank you. >> So, when we started this, there was all
sorts of different things that were considered. has come down to the sports complex and housing >> with the private public partnership for the sports facility. So, it's it's recreational too, right? You know what I mean? Like everybody struggled with what
how to what words to use, you know, but I think that I think people are very interested in having our recreational department still have resources at the site. >> Yeah. I mean, let let the let the kids in town use it and then make some money off it for tournaments and stuff. I
think all five of these are fantastic. I really do. >> Great. >> Of course, the more housing the better, but there's plenty of housing on all of them. Um, [clears throat] >> well, I'll ask my questions after jump on me ask. >> No, you can ask now. >> Um,
we have Meg here. Megan, we here. We should we should ask away. >> Anything for Megan? >> An alternative. I don't see where the single family homes are. >> Over to Yeah, they're the they're the little subdivisions. >> Little culde-sacs.
>> These are the single family. >> Yep. >> And then they're the uh the 30 and the 30 and the six. >> Yep. >> And a community building. >> Is that the only one that has a community building? >> Well, they I made them put a community building on all of them.
And we're not sure if we really need a playground on all of them. It really depends on whether that sports facility has a public >> playground. You would think they would, but it just we didn't get that far. >> I mean, I'd rather I'd rather have the
playground be a centralized playground, and I'll tell you why. Um playgrounds in um affordable housing complexes sometimes get taken over by smokers. Sometimes >> sometimes [laughter] I think
>> nowadays it's more like >> so you know what I mean. So if that and plus you want people to walk >> you want people to get out get some exercise walk over to the playground ride your bike there blah blah blah blah blah. So, um, [cough and clears throat] but they they put it in all of them,
which is fine, too. >> And we want a playground that we're [clears throat] going to pay for a playground. I feel that everybody should be able to use it. No idea who that is. >> Sorry. Um, so after the select board
meeting on February 3rd, the MUK is planning on holding a community meeting on February 25th. So that'll be um bigger advertised meeting for the public to come and view the concept plans and
ask questions. We'll take comments, too. >> Yeah. And so I'll watch for those agendas and stuff like that. And it was fun. It was interesting, you know, when we went to those. So, I think we should continue to go to those because we're
up. It keeps you up to date. >> I wonder if Palm or Josh wanted to make any questions or comments. >> I'm just trying to catch up on everything, so I'm just kind of listening today. >> Very good. >> And what was the date that MUK is presenting this to the board? This is
the select board. >> February 3rd. >> February 3rd. And then we expect so February 3rd we expect it to be on the select board's agenda and then the 25th we expect a community forum on it.
>> Are they anticipating that the select board will make a decision at that meeting recommendation? >> Very comforting. >> I I think the select board is going to make comments. >> Okay. >> Just kind of like we did. >> Okay. And then I think if there's
anything that's really out of line, the plans could change because of that. >> I I think we're hoping that they will recommend three out of the five. >> Does this board have the Bible say
>> on everything? Yes. Lee. [laughter] >> In the whole world. >> In the whole world. >> You might think it's just Yarmouth. You might think it's just Yarmouth, but no. >> [laughter] >> Yeah. So, I think it's important that that just like we came to we went to the last meeting that we we go to the
February 3rd meeting. >> Remember we were in the back >> and nodding our heads. [laughter] So, yeah, that's important for them too to be to be comfortable um promoting something,
>> you know. So, it's it's going to be important for the recreation supporters to be there as well. >> You know, I'm >> thinking about uh plan A has the housing to the south or the right of the >> Yeah.
>> And that's the only plan in which the housing could be built soon, right? >> Yes. But I wouldn't worry about that too much because um when when we brought on our first new
multif family property um like in decades it was Simkins school. >> Right. >> And that about 70% of those units went to local preference. >> Right. Then we brought on something else
right away. um Yarmouth Commons with 69 units and 60% of the units went to local preference. Then the next one was Yarmouth Gardens with 40 units and about 50% of those units went to local
preference. So if you really want to, you know, um have local preference be successful, you have to meter these units out. >> I see. >> You know what I mean? like if you bring too many on all at once, >> right? So, I think we're bringing plenty
of units on [laughter] line. Um I I think that by the time we get to this, it'll be perfect timing. I'm not worried about it. >> That's very interesting. >> I think Route 28 I have something uh in
your packet. I don't know if I um but um there's a site plan review with another six units coming on and one will be affordable. So it's >> you know what I mean? Like I think we're we're steady on Route 28.
>> Um so I'm not I'm not really worried about that. I don't know how you guys feel. >> Taking a step back. So this the local preference. So once you go through the local preference, who were [snorts] the other folks? People from offcape, people from Balmouth, people >> the very first one, the very first one
we did with Simpkins, it was like 75 75% were local preference and then the next I 15% were from Cape Cod and then there were a few from off Cape >> and Simkins was 55 and older,
>> 55 plus >> and um so The other two it was 75% from Cape Cod, 25% were starting to feel like a little
off Cape, but not from any city. It's not like we had like a ton of people from the city. But I I just felt that since local preference is such a priority for the select board that I was okay with waiting until our we we kind
of switched the priority to funding uh single family developments and thus Habitat. >> Is there a reason why it's not 100% local preference? >> Um so remember affordable housing comes from the Civil Rights Act of 1967.
So, you can't you can't prohibit people from outside of your town's boundary from applying for it. >> That makes sense. >> But you can't have a local preference if you show that you are putting in local resources. >> So, what is >> staff money?
>> What's the maximum local preference? >> 70% of the units. So, so you see like Simpan School, we did really well. Um, but we hadn't brought anything on line in a long time. So,
you know, >> every time you say local preference, you mean within the political boundaries of the town of Yarm. >> So, local preference apply can apply to 70% of your new units coming online in a lottery. And so you can prioritize those
units for people who work in your town, live in your town, or have a child in your school system. >> Any of those [snorts] three things. Any any or all of those three things. >> And and you'd be surprised. I mean, I'm starting to run more and more small
lotteryies for the Ready Rent program. You'd be surprised. People get offered units and they don't take them. So the big thing is to just make sure that that everybody knows about them, right? If you have local preference, you have to make sure everybody who benefits
from local preference knows that there's local preference. And then so you have a local preference pool of people, right, for the units. And then everybody in that local preference pool also goes into the open pool with everybody else.
So it's like they get two chances. So they're on both they're in both lotteryies. >> So another question about local preference. So we all know there's a there's a a stigma against affordable housing >> sometimes. Yeah. >> A lot of people.
>> I think our town has every single opinion [laughter] >> from this is amazing to I don't want to see another unit. I've been dealing for for years and I but I wonder is some of the feedback the negative feedback of people go well wait a minute why why should we build affordable housing for
someone from Worcester >> well I think the select board was very clear that um while I never thought that the select board would ever block you know or stop the affordable housing program that I think they were very clear if we
were going to spend money on it >> that there it's it's local taxpayer money so there should be local preference and I thought that was a really good decision way way way back when >> and I've stuck to it >> and I have nothing against the people of
Worcester or anybody any other place but it's like uh um >> and and you you'd be amazed sometimes people just do not want to move they don't want to move their friends their family are there kids are in the certain school system >> you're used to a more urban areas how do
you think about relocating it. That's that's true. And the other I think most people that move from off Cape to through these lotteryies on Cape um they're um people who have a connection down here
>> or lived here for a while or maybe vacationed during their they were tourists, right? That we we encourage them to come. Um very very rarely do you have somebody that has absolutely no
contact and said, "Oh, this brochure looks great to me. You know, people wanna think about yourself like you know when you chose to move where you mo move like what were the things that happens even no matter what kind of housing?" There's many more I'll tell you there's
many more affordable housing opportunities off Cape than here. So, if it was just the affordable housing piece, that's very rare. um that that's what motivates people because um there's more affordable housing off Cape than
there is on Cape. >> That's my story. >> Thank you. >> And you're sticking to it >> and I'm forget that part. >> Shall we move on or shall we stay on this a little longer? >> Am I missing something here? No, I think
I think as long as we go, you know, to the February 3rd and if you have some opinions about it, let us know. >> Okay. >> You know, we don't don't surprise us on February 3rd with public comment. [laughter] >> Okay.
>> I've been saving this up. >> I'm saving this. I'll >> let you have it. >> This is what Mary said. [laughter] [gasps] >> Oh gosh. >> Well, then, >> okay. [clears throat] >> What? five or six o'clock. >> They've been starting at five, but I would reserve like five or non.
>> They might not have it be the first item just because they might want to spend some time on it. [cough] [clears throat] Want to go to >> 645 Route 28. >> 645. All right. So, that's moving along.
Um, and that we just had site plan review, which is when our department heads all get together and look at the property. And that [clears throat] was on January 6. >> Excuse me. Remind me, which property again is this? This is the old Chinese restaurant. >> Yes, this is the old Chinese restaurant. And right now it's being
>> Put that on the agenda from now on just so I can I can get it clearly. [laughter] Chinese restaurant. >> I know. >> OCR. So that's being used because um again um flushes can't start there until 2028, early 2028. Um
>> flushes >> that is slowly going through permitting, but construction's not going to start because they're not going to, you know, have a new building just stand empty. And it's being >> scar anybody away that >> there's no flushing for three years. >> No, no, >> actually two years. That's two years.
>> They're just they're just going to work on projects in other places. Yeah, that's what I find. Um, but you'll see it's being used for staging for the sewer install. >> I've seen that. Yes. >> Yeah. So, um, >> so that's the update.
>> Yep. And very minimum minimal comments at site plan review. It basically um was that this is the biggest one. There are actually two lots on that property on that project and the lots have to be merged
>> in order for the parking to work. The parking count won't work unless the lots are merged because then you can erase that lot line in between and it allows you more flexibility of where you're going to put the parking. So, I was very
pleased with all the staff who really carefully looked at that and came up with that comment. now >> um rather than at the end >> that will be coming to the planning board then right to make >> I think so because it's village center overlay district >> and so formal site plan review is done
by the planning board >> so but they still go to site plan review that group >> I guess in this case it's informal I don't know but they have like water is there police not police fire is there water engineering health
planning the building commissioner goes, I sometimes go, Megan sometimes goes. So, and everybody just gets to comment on the stuff all together and it's it's it's very good because sometimes the water people talk, they're in the room
with the fire inspector, so it everything kind of gets worked out and then the engineer is there for the project writing all the notes down furiously. So, but I think the property it's going to look pretty. It's I think it's going to look good
>> someday. >> Someday. >> Okay. New business. Community preservation plan and public hearing on January 28th. >> Yep. So, January 28th, community preservation is holding a public
hearing. I think it might be in this room. Put that on your calendar. >> Says right here, >> does it? Okay. >> 3 p.m. >> Oh, good. >> In this room. [cough] >> I [clears throat] don't even have to stay late. Okay. And then what I did was
I took the page on community housing and updated it. So I don't know if anybody else has any comments. It was like statistics that I updated, right? But on the second page, the firsttime home buyer program is
scratched out because um we're asking the CPC to allow us to use the money that was set aside for first-time home buyer program people and allow us to use it to redevelop underutilized property. >> Wasn't that passed as an article at the last
>> um It's the next >> It's the next one. I forgot. Yeah. So, I figured the plan should reflect that. >> That's right. >> So, to me, this looks good, but maybe I'm missing something. Yeah.
>> Yeah. How come um community housing needs Why did the number go down for the number of units? >> Oh, yeah. That's a good question. >> I think that was an error. >> Okay. So, um, and I apologize if I didn't catch that
in last year's plan. I So, that 1239 is is 10% of our year- round housing as of 2020. Okay. The 2020 census. So, you can go on to the US Census and
look up American Community Survey. >> I'm not going to. [laughter] >> And I mean that for myself, too. Oh, I asked Deedra. Anyway, that's right. >> And I think there might have been an an a hit on the internet that 10% of our
year- round housing was th was 1478. But actually, when we're talking about that 10%, >> that number is set to every 10 years and the state's housing office grabs that number and that's the number we use. So,
you're saying that the the corrected number >> is from 2020 and it wouldn't change until 2030. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Greg. >> I had noticed that, but then I forgot about it. Yeah. >> And if a number comes from the American
Community Survey, it's a statistical estimate. And so sometimes because these are such small numbers, they o the margin of error could overlap and it could show a deg a decrease when there really isn't one.
>> I see. >> Right. >> But if these are from the dennial census, it's like you say, they keep it till 2030. >> That's a good word. A denial. >> Dennial. Okay. Yeah, denial is a nice word for you.
>> I like that. Well, okay. We're done with this, I think, >> and we could we move on to reports and actions. >> You want to fill in for a chair's report, Mary? The chair is not here. I don't have a report myself. >> She's on vacation. [laughter]
>> Got anything to say in this? >> It's warm. I am not happy. [laughter] >> She will. >> Many people are in a warm place right now. >> I know. Whatever. >> You know, no. Okay. Home consortium. Is
there an update from home consortium? >> Uh let's see. November's um meeting was cancelled. December's meeting was cancelled. >> January's meeting is still on Thursday morning. >> That's an update. That is an update by
>> Zoom. >> Okay. >> I will be there. >> All right. The Yarmouth Housing Authority. I'm on the Yarmouth Housing Authority. And our next meeting will be tomorrow at 5:15
p.m. at the Long Pond uh development there where the H on Winslow Grey Road and the uh housing authority is exploring with the select board the formation of a task force or a working
group I think is the term we're using of a couple of members of a couple of members of the housing authority board combined with the town administrator and a couple experts and the engineering experts to discuss
water issues regarding that with our proposed forest road project to see if we can uh work out some some ideas and uh we are considering uh
issuing a new and changed RFP at some point in the future and we're working on that in uh being advised by the Mass Housing Partnership. That's my update for that.
The Affordable Housing Trust. >> Okay. >> So, um the Affordable Housing Trust meets January 20th um at 10:00 a.m. in the morning. And um the reason why we're well anyways
um so it's an important meeting because it's going to be um we're going to have UMass um Amherst Dartmouth uh the Donahghue Institute, sorry, UMass Amherst uh Donahghue Institute present um their next version of the short-term
rental study. So there was a soft launch of that to the trust about a month ago, maybe a month and a half ago and there was some feedback and um they trustees and other members that were there kind of asked for some clarification. So we
expect that to be presented on um the 20th. Um, and after that, if all goes well, uh, UMass Amherst will be before the select board on February 24th for a
formal presentation to the select board in the town. So, it's interesting. We >> What time does the Affordable Housing Trust meet? on the 20th we're meeting at 10:00 a.m. So, um anyways, um it it's it's a very
interesting report and the whole goal, right, is to amplify all the benefits of short-term rentals and mitigate any um negative impacts. And I think one of one thing I'm hearing from the trustees is that they're very interested in um
having these any regulations or any action that come out of this report to have a direct connection with each other. So for example, if we did a an initiative for uh bringing some of these units back into yearround rentals, see
that would be a onetoone, right? It would be a a direct connection. So, yep. So, I I expect that there's going to be some support for new a new program, another program where we're working with
people that kind of stopped renting year round and trying to get them to bring those units back online. >> That's what I was going to >> presenting their [clears throat] their next their new version. Oh, what? Oh, they're going to do the next study.
>> Nope. They're they they had a draft. Okay, >> we provided comments. Um, they they're incorporated some comments. They're going to present that to the trust on the 20th with a formal presentation to the select board on the
24th. And I think it's going to be a joint meeting with the select board and the planning board. Has have Deedra, have you heard anything about that? >> She I know Kathy said something today, but I >> Okay. Uh is it it's I think that she
said that we would be going to the select board meeting as an official thing. Is that what you mean? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Just because the select so the planning board, some of you I think have already heard this, but the planning board has
some work to do on on a bit of zoning that impacts short-term rentals. So, this fall, there's a provision in the uh zoning bylaw that expires, >> right? >> And that provision is is what was put in
there to allow short-term rentals in this town. >> So, [laughter] everybody's waiting to see what the results are for this. You know, what what is UMass's, you know, analysis of our short-term rental market? How can we
make it better? and how can we get rid of the stuff that's not good about it and that might impact that zoning bylaw. >> Right? >> So that's why the planning board is very interested in this. And the way I under
at first I thought that this the current short-term rental bylaw expires at the end of 26 at the end of 2026. And so it has to either be renewed or cancelled.
and my, you know, let it let it die. But I was thinking, well, if it dies, then we just go back to the old way. But apparently it means that short-term rentals would not be allowed, which simply couldn't happen, >> as far as I can see. So, I think
something has to be done before the year ends. So, >> was there a time that short-term rentals weren't allowed? >> So, short-term rentals was a product. >> Exactly. Right. It was a product that that came about kind of organically,
right? It was a it was a commercial product. The the the Airbnb and the Verbbo or whatever those those platforms, right, >> were different than how people used to rent out these units
>> and people some people feel it expanded and developed that market, right? So people who all of a sudden was living next to something that was being rented out by the week or by the night or
whatever, they felt uncomfortable about that and ch there were challenges um in in court. I don't I don't know what court case did it, but there like for example, I know there's one in Mashby that MASHB does not have that provision
in its zoning bylaw and it went to court and yes, the judge said, "Oh, this this short-term rental, this is not allowed because you don't have it in your zoning." >> Yeah. >> Right. >> So, it could be zoned out. >> So, Yarmouth Yarmouth put it in but with
the sunset clause, >> right? Because they wanted to study it. >> Okay. All right. >> And now it's time read the study quick. >> I have one next to me and I've not had any problems for the last three years. But I could certainly understand why
someone could be worried that you know the five beta kappa came comes down some weekend and uh you know >> right like some some some >> I don't I don't know my fraternity. Sorry I got the wrong one. >> We'll see it in the >> Delta House. There you go. Some are
like, "Okay, you can have them in this area, but not in that area. You can have a certain percentage. You can have a certain number. Like there's a cap." Um, some I think ours is you it has to be a two night stay. >> Has to be a two night stay. And um what
there's one other one other piece to it. I can't remember what. Oh, just anything under 30 days. >> Ah, yes. >> Has to be a two night stay there. Anyway, it's pretty simple. So, what I've learned is that the court uh has ruled that if there is no mention of
short-term rental regulations, then short-term rentals aren't allowed. That's correct. >> And I But if there's no mention of short-term rentals, then short-term rentals isn't even de defined. See? >> Right. So, what are you forbidding? allowed use.
>> It's not. >> Yeah. But but what if if you don't even mention it in your bylaws, then how can you forbid something that you don't even define? >> So sometimes your bylaws has this provision in it that says if we don't mention this as an allowed use, it's automatically not allowed.
>> That that could be in the bylaws. Yeah. >> Right. >> So there's some zoning bylaws that have caught on to some some towns have caught on to that and they have that provision. >> Okay. Um, >> so what what happens is that if >> if there's if you're in one of those
towns that's not an allowed use, you'd go to the building commissioner and say this isn't an allowed use. >> Kind of interesting. >> It is possible that the zoning board could say put the kaosh on on this. That
would make a lot of people very unhappy and I'm guessing a lot of people very happy as well. >> I don't know. I think it I don't think it's considered a problem in town. Is it by the >> Well, don't we also get tax benefits from >> Yes, absolutely. >> Well, I'm not saying that it when I say
that the house next to me, I've brought this up a number of times. It sits empty nine months of the year and these people that own it make enough money to pay, you know, to cover the to make a profit and that other nine months, someone could be living there, a family that
needs a place to live. You know what I mean? >> Menting seasonal and then having to be out for the summer is not >> Yeah. And and I get it. But I see you. We all see the ads. I'm looking for a place for three months until the summer because, you know, I'm going to get kicked out or whatever. It's a sad existence for these folks. I'm just I'm
it'd be nice if we could find a way and I'm just, you know, thinking out loud here to to say, "Hey, if you're going to have you're going to rent it out for the summer and it's going to sit empty, then maybe you there's another purpose for this house instead of, you know, half my
house half my street's dark all winter because there is either in Florida or there are Airbnbs." So, um, it's a shame. >> We're going to have you do some door knocking. [laughter] I I do not mind. >> The town has this brand new program.
>> But you know what? But you know what I mean? If we could find some way that you could say, "Hey, >> we do." >> Yeah. Have at your Airbnb. But >> yeah, >> you get an empty house for nine months, it's not doing anybody any good. Uh [clears throat]
>> anything I would promote after all the times I've moved constantly on Cape Cod until I bought my house 11 years ago. Mhm. >> I was very fortunate that I never end up in the seasonal housing, >> but I know people that did and there's
nothing I would ever promote. >> I've been in seasonal housing. Yeah. >> Relatives of mine have been in seasonal housing. >> Now that I think about it summer, >> yeah, >> that's it can be a nightmare. >> Yeah. People who move in with, you know,
friends or family for the three months. >> They used to camp. Remember, >> people used to camp. Yeah, >> I've camped out. Yeah. In the summer. >> Nichson. >> Yes. >> Now they have like a days limit, but then >> Well, you go from different to different
ones, you know. >> So, the uh trust is also um they also put that RFP out for rental assistance program. They've they got three responses. They've interviewed two out of the three respondents. Um, we bumped
off the third one to February just because, um, at our January meeting, we're going to be talking a lot about short-term rentals, and I didn't want to >> cram it all in. >> I've lost track of where we are on our >> um, planning board. >> Okay, planning board update.
>> Uh, we did have a meeting last week, hadn't in a long time, and everything. There wasn't much new. We talked a lot about MUK and about the short-term rentals and a few other zoning issues that might be
coming up, but really nothing nothing really major to share with you. >> Okay, fair enough. Now, we're on community preservation committee. Well, it's already been announced the public hearing [clears throat]
>> right >> on January 28th, but we're meeting this Wednesday to plan the public hearing, >> right? >> Yeah. >> So, that's where we are. And then, of course, later on, we'll be planning on the presentations at town
meeting for April. But that's >> Yeah. >> Boy, Darie does a nice job, doesn't she? >> Yeah, >> she sure does. >> Yeah. Don Marie Flet works for the department and I was noticing gee this community preservation program
[laughter] is going right along. It >> really is. >> How about the department of community development? >> Um I gave the update on the mock. Um it's kind of the the major thing we're dealing with right now. Um I'm going
before the select board tomorrow night to give them an update on the department as a whole. my first 90 days and let them know how things are going. So, >> still in one piece. >> Swimmingly. Yes. >> You look like you're in one piece. >> In one piece. I I know at least >> days. Wow.
>> Of Yes. >> Yes. It's hard to get to know everyone's names, but I'm getting there. >> What's my name? >> Greg. [laughter] >> Name tag before you. >> Everyone should have a name tag for a while. [laughter] >> It's not a bad idea. >> Yeah.
They call me by the wrong name for about three years. I say who we are, but >> and then um I just found out that uh 703 Route 28 is going to get redeveloped. >> And where is that? >> Extraordinary. It's right on uh Parker
>> River. Oh >> yeah. So if you >> It's there right this second. It's escaping me right now. >> So it's Isn't that the >> across from Captain Parker's? >> Yeah. So isn't that the building that was like a mattress place and And >> so it went to design review. It's going
to site plan review on the 20th. >> Fantastic. >> But I just I just thought that was an exciting redevelopment. And so I I shared it with you. Um there's six uh there's three duplexes, six units. I
think inclusionary zoning affordable housing is triggered. This might be one that's a good one for them to kind of make a donation to the community uh to the affordable housing trust in lie of an on-site unit, right? Um these are
this is basically waterfront property. Uh and you can see on the on the larger plan, I mean it says Parker's River right there. >> So it's a beautiful spot, >> I think. So >> sorry, what was your question? >> It reminds me of the um >> condominiums. He said
>> I think it's in Dennis or maybe which on 28 there's like a condo building right by the the river there. >> Herring River. Yeah. Right there on Herring River. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It looks similar to that. >> Who's the architect? Is the architect
Charlie? >> No. RT. >> Yeah. Eric Charlie. >> Oh. Oh, Eert. Sure. These from the floor plan, it looks like they're fourbedroom units. Holy smokes.
>> Right. So, it looks like there are six four bedroomedroom units. So, the first floor is the sun room and the garage. Second floor is the living room with one bedroom and then the upper level is three bedrooms in a family room
and each bedroom has their own bathroom. >> Okay. >> So pretty. I love it. I love I love Eric Collie's stuff. Remember the remember the um remember the redevelopment on Route 28
was it 8 07 or 811 or something like that and it was the it was the eight units right in a row. We were trying to get one to be a studio with the bedroom on the first floor. >> I do now
>> remember remember the it was it was eight eight units >> and talked about it in quite a bit of detail. >> Yeah. And that was his design, too. >> So, it'd be nice to >> see some of it. >> It's I just think it's familyowned, you
know, so they're just thinking about it. >> Okay. >> You know, but uh these are these are these beautiful. >> They are very beautiful buildings. >> Beautiful. So, um >> is it already constructed?
>> No, it's very preliminary. very preliminary but um >> and waiting for the flush >> and waiting for [laughter] I know it's well it's it's nice to see that you know uh redevelopment is it is going to
produce something like this I mean this is just beautiful so >> we're getting towards the end here >> for a lot of money yeah so four bedrooms thank you for catching that because it's such a small plan I where's the other kitchen there's just the one [laughter]
So now we have a new calculation as opposed to that what was it the the project in Yarathport had to pay like a h 100,000 or something per unit. >> So right >> yeah there's a new uh calculation in um
the zoning bylaw which links it to more to the market rather than um the median income. >> Oh okay. I thought the dairy good was going to be home ownership, but I think they were all rentals. >> They were all rentals. Those are our rentals.
>> So, uh, Yep. So, I have to calculate that. I thought I thought it was uh January that it was due was actually June. It was the beginning of the fiscal year, not the calendar year. So, somebody asked me for the calculation. Like, I'm not late. And they're like, yes, you are. [laughter] So, I got to get on it.
>> So, we'll figure that out. >> Well, they're still there. They're not occupied yet. They're still >> Yeah. constructing, >> but I have to tell them on the 20th. [laughter] >> Okay. I was surprised. I thought they were going to be home ownership. I was really surprised.
>> So, this is you're talking about 6A on Hakenon. So, that was a 10 unit development and that's already built. >> It's built, but it's not occupied yet. They're still doing landscaping. >> All right. So, those are rentals and that was done by Davenport Realy. And I
they're beautiful. They are lovely. >> They are lovely. I mean, people, you know, loved the trees that were there. And it's, you know, >> wasn't that great? [laughter] >> But they did do a cluster subdivision. So, I think they did have to dedicate
part of the parcel as open space. >> It's just that is kind of off the road. Like, so people are like, "Oh, I can see the houses there now." Um, you know, >> you can have a tree bylaw to have
vegetated buffers, but >> guys, >> shall we wrap up? >> Move. We ajourn. We have a second. >> Second. >> Okay, I'll do a roll call vote. There's [clears throat] people online. I'll start with you folks online. Uh, Pamela.
>> Motion. >> Hi, >> Josh. >> Hi, >> uh, Greg. Hi >> Myra. >> Hi >> Drew.