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HomeArchiveVol. IV No. 5 3/1/2023Notes from the Planning Board (PB), February 21, Hybrid meeting
Vol. IV No. 5 3/1/2023

Notes from the Planning Board (PB), February 21, Hybrid meeting

Present:

  • Kate Fletcher, Chair
  • Carl Sprague
  • Lis Wheeler
  • Marie Raftery
  • Nancy Socha
  • Gary Pitney
  • Wayne Slosek
  • Patrick White
  • Patty Caya and Peter Ungaro via Zoom
  1. Minutes approved as written.
  2. Lis Wheeler reported on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHT) as follows:
    1. Those eligible for affordable housing earn 80% or less of the median income. In Berkshire median is $63,159 (different median incomes in different parts of county)
    2. 25% of school children live in Pine Woods (affordable housing)
    3. No housing that our police, fire, or Town workers can afford.
    4. No stock for first home buyers.
    5. Stockbridge meets the State requirement for affordable housing. The combined housing at Pine Woods, Heaton Court, and Riverbrook reaches the percent required.
    6. Pine Woods may need $3-5 million in repairs.
    7. Wheeler said, "we have lots to learn" therefore AHT doing needs and resource assessment.
  3. Fletcher said short-term rentals are crowding out what otherwise might be lower cost housing stock. We should close the loophole and allow short-term rentals to be owner-occupied only to slow the process of short-term rentals by investors/businesses.
  4. Chair introduced discussion of two new bylaws proposed by SB Chair Patrick White: Residential Inclusionary Development Bylaw (RID) and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)
    1. RID requires developers of 10 units or more to build 1 affordable housing unit for every 10 units built (3 for 30, 4 for 40 etc.) or developer can pay into the AHT.
    2. ADUs by right if inside a house; by permit if a separate structure, limit 900 sq ft, primary residents only, owner/occupied.
    3. The PB considered the two as they prepared for the public meeting. There were questions and clarifications as they prepared to make their recommendations. After the public meeting PB will put their recommendations to the SB in a report. The SB will place the two bylaws (as is or as amended) on the warrant for TM.
  5. Public Comment — Patty Caya said the proposed ADU Bylaw makes second homeowners second class citizens. Her husband, Peter Ungaro, asked what if a house with an ADU is sold to second homeowner? He was also concerned if domicile and primary home were synonymous?
  6. In response, members pointed out that allowing absentee renters opens Stockbridge housing stock to investors which drives up prices and diminishes housing stock; both further exacerbates the problem of providing workforce and affordable housing, and houses for first-time homebuyers.

Meeting adjourned.

Editor's note: AHT has $50,000 from American Rescue Plan (ARPA) for needs and resource assessment plus $225,000 from the Community Preservation Committee (CPC).

 

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Photo: Joan Gallos