Minutes
Board of Selectmen
September 8, 2004
Work Session
Present: Selectmen Linda Burt, Chair, Kenelm Collins, Joyce Brookshire, Peter Whitlock and Town Administrator Sheila Vanderhoef. Selectman Sandblom did not attend because he is an abutter to the property under discussion. There were fifteen others in the audience.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Burt at 2:37 p.m.
Review of 2004 Subsidized Housing Inventory Town Planner Terry Whalen reported that in 2004 we had a net loss of two units of affordable housing, going from 38 to 36 units. We added 9 units but lost 11. There has been some talk that the method of counting units will be changed. It is hoped that in the future affordable rental units will be included in the count.
Proposed Development at Brackett Road - “Brackett Landing”Representatives of McShane Construction were present to briefly outline the details of a 40B housing development they are planning for the north side of Brackett Road. Rich Delaney was present from the Horsley Witten Group. John McShane is a residential/commercial construction real estate firm that has done many 40B projects from Bourne to Wellfleet. They are looking to develop a mixed income, mixed use project on Brackett Road.
Mark Nelson, responsible for the site concept for the handling of wastewater began the presentation. Present plans are to build 20 detached and 20 duplex units on the site. There will also be some commercial development component. Preliminary thinking is to have private wells serving components of the site, maybe six wells. Wastewater treatment would be centralized in one area. They are currently looking at the Nitrex system which affords simple maintenance and treats below 5 mg per liter.
John McShane said they anticipate 50% of the 40 units will be purchased by retirees and 50% by families. There will be one and two bedrooms in the duplexes. There will be mixed income: 25% earning 80% of median income, 15% earning 120% of medium income. Bruce Whitmore from the Water Resources Advisory Board asked about lot sizes. Mr. McShane responded that they will range from 7,000 square feet to 20,000 square feet.
Howard Sandler, Chairman of the Planning Board, asked whether all the duplexes will be part of the affordable units? Mr. McShane said they are not suggesting that. They are looking for input. Mr. Sandler commented that he hopes that some of the affordable units will be adequate for families. One and two bedrooms will not. Appearance of affordable units will not differentiate them from market rate units. Mr. Sandler stressed that he would like to see some of the larger units made available to low income families.
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Mr. Sandler noted that current zoning laws do not allow adjacent panhandle lots. McShane would look for relief under 40B.
Martin McDonald, Chairman of the Critical Planning Committee, said that they have been looking at ways to develop North Eastham at Brackett Road taking into consideration traffic, housing, and character. They believe the area should be developed in stages so that the Town can “learn as you grow.”
James Taylor, Chairman of the Wastewater Management Planning Committee, noted that the Nitrex system is the best system on the market today. Because this is sort of in the center we are looking for the very best treatment system we can get, nothing less than 10 ppm.
Selectman Brookshire asked whether McShane would be willing to do some beautification of the Brackett Road area? There are safety issues, i.e. sidewalks, access trails, etc. McShane said initial plans call for both safety and appearance improvements for the area. Ms. Brookshire went on to ask how we could guarantee that maintenance will be done on the Nitrex system. A fee system would be set up, similar to a condominium fee, to ensure the approximate $3,000 per year cost would be covered. The fee would amount to $100 or less per unit per year. DEP oversees the contracted maintenance of these systems.
Chairman Burt asked what time line McShane was looking at? They hope to break ground by next spring. They expect some planning issues can run on parallel tracks.
John Townshend, Co-Chair of the Housing Task Force, thanked McShane for bringing affordable Housing to Eastham. He then asked what kind of commercial development would be included. Service type of businesses are anticipated.
In response to a question about handicapped accessibility, Mr. McShane said they have provided accessibility in every project they have done.
It is unclear at this time whether housing units can and/or will be incorporated over the commercial units. McShane believes an Executive Order has recently made provisions for it and they are looking at it.
Michael Cole, from the Critical Planning Committee, asked whether some additional excess capacity could be provided for the Nitrex system for the Town.
Mr. Delaney thanked the Selectmen for the opportunity to discuss their plans and for the input.
Cape Cod Growth Management Audit Town Planner Terry Whalen reviewed a draft of the Town’s response to the Cape Cod Growth Management Audit with the Board. There was consensus among the selectmen that it was fine and should be sent in.
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Other Business Town Administrator Vanderhoef asked the Board to authorize her to sign on Timothy Smith bill schedules in order to expedite needed payments. Selectman Collins moved, Joyce Brookshire seconded, to allow the Town Administrator to sign Timothy Smith paperwork. Voted 4 - 0
Ms. Vanderhoef introduced the new Town Accountant, Jane Wall.
Selectman Collins moved, Peter Whitlock seconded, to adjourn at 3:40 p.m.
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