March 12, 2206 By Carol Britton Meyer
The Hingham Affordable Housing Trust (HAHT) is proposing a warrant article for the April 27 Town Meeting that would authorize but not require the select board to dispose of the town-owned Lincoln School Apartments (LSA) property — which provides 60 affordable rental apartments for seniors and individuals with disabilities – through a sale, lease, or other conveyance.
A key priority is the requirement of a deed restriction or other assurances related to continued affordability and non-displacement of current residents.
The apartment complex, located at 86 Central St., is in need for significant, costly improvements that the town can’t afford, as well as lacking the expertise to manage the LSA long-term, according to HAHT Chair Jack Falvey.
The select board considered this proposed warrant article again this week and will vote on whether to support including it in the April 27 Town Meeting warrant at next week’s board meeting.
“I have concerns as we all do about ensuring that the seniors and individuals with disabilities living there now [can continue to do so],” Select Board Chair William Ramsey said. “I want to learn more about what the future would hold [if the property is sold or leased]. I had a conversation with town counsel, which [resulted in] more questions.”
Such a decision would be made after engaging in a Request for Proposals process if the warrant article passes.
Meeting with neighbors
The HAHT met with a group of neighbors the day before Tuesday night’s select board meeting, with some returning to reiterate their concerns about the potential sale of the property.
Key considerations if the property is sold to a private developer include additional traffic, potential increases to the size of the current footprint, how such a development would fit in with the surrounding neighborhood, and assurances that the current residents could continue to live there.
Some neighbors are also asking for the financials for the property related to once the current LSA debt is paid off – which will occur in the near future – rental income, the costs involved with making necessary repairs, and other considerations.
Falvey mentioned the meeting that was held the night before to the select board while giving a presentation about the proposed warrant article, noting that many of the concerns heard at Monday’s meeting would be addressed when the advisory committee reviews it. (Check the town website “calendar” page for details. Letters may also be sent to the committee regarding the article.)
‘There will be continued dialogue’
“This is a very important conversation, and we’re trying to be thoughtful of everything the residents and neighbors [have talked about],” he said. “There will be continued dialogue leading up to and after the Town Meeting vote.”
Monica Cunningham, who lives across the street from the LSA, said she has enjoyed getting to know some of the residents. Her concerns center in part around potential traffic issues and ensuring seniors and those with disabilities could continue to live there. “This is a great place for senior housing, with four churches close-by and a [short] walk to CVS, the movie theater, and coffee shop,” she said. Currently, many of the LSA residents don’t have vehicles.
Cunningham suggested an amendment be made to the proposed article to ensure continued residency by seniors and disabled individuals, to which Falvey replied that the advisory committee would be the place to suggest a warrant article amendment.
Select board member Julie Strehle noted that the RFP process includes project parameters, such as how many units. “We get to make those decisions as a town, not the developers,” she said.
Elm Street resident Betsy Hernberg said the process “feels a bit rushed.” She also noted that the LSA are located adjacent to an historic district.
Her concerns relate to limited parking within the existing footprint, potential loss of greenspace and some trees, traffic, and a request for further financial information, among other considerations.
Quality of life issue
Select board member Liz Klein said her biggest concern is”quality of life for the [current] residents,” noting that the long LSA waiting list shows that there’s “a critical need for affordable housing for seniors” in town.
Falvey noted the importance of the town continuing to meet the state’s 10 percent affordable housing threshold to avoid 40B comprehensive permit developments that allow developers to bypass certain local regulations in exchange for an affordable housing component, usually 25 percent or more.
Zoning Administrator Jennifer Oram was at the meeting and explained that the town is now in the 10.37 percent range, “and going down.”
Central Street resident Amy Farrell, a former HAHT member, shared her thoughts about the proposed warrant article – which she said would allow the process to begin “so we can start to solicit meaningful and robust RFPs that [the town will] shape and guide. Time is of the essence,” she said.
Long process
If the warrant article is approved by voters, this would be the first step in a long process.
Next steps at this time include a review of the proposed warrant article, a vote, and a recommendation in the town meeting warrant by the advisory committee, continued dialogue with LSA residents and neighbors, and the Town Meeting vote.
The advisory committee meeting (s) will provide residents and neighbors with further opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns and to ask questions.