At the Housing Partnership Meeting on Oct. 22 Katherine Provost reported back on progress on developing 212 Cochituate Road meeting. See article on page 5.
On St. Anne’s Senior Housing Project, member Rachel Bratt relayed an update from project manager Philip Crean, who joined the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) for the Archdiocese of Boston in 2023: MassHousing has indicated they have bond capacity for the first half of 2026, and the team is tentatively targeting an April 1, 2026, construction start pending resolution of a wetlands matter with the Conservation Commission.
Bratt added that the development has secured federal and state low-income housing tax credits and explained that such credits are purchased by institutional investors rather than appropriated annually, reducing vulnerability to mid-year budget cuts. Jim Grumbach supported a diplomatic push to Conservation and other town officials to keep the project on its financing timeline.
Bratt and Kathleen Boundy reported on preparations for the Nov. 12 public forum on accessory dwelling units. Bratt said the Select Board and Board of Health voted unanimously to co-sponsor the event. Several staff invitees declined to sit on panels to avoid committing to cost estimates, but Planning Board member Robin Borgestedt is assisting with edits to handouts from the Planning and Building departments to make them accurate, consistent, and readable, including adding plain-language explanations and links to required forms. Boundy noted the drafts needed editing to avoid risking confusion for residents.
A follow-up forum focused exclusively on affordable ADUs is scheduled for Dec. 2, 7 p.m., with Dana LeWinter, chief of public and community engagement at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. She will lead a brainstorming workshop on implementing the new state ADU law. Bratt also referenced regional policy expertise available to towns, noting that Mark Draisen is currently the executive director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
Katherine Provost announced her resignation because of her relocation to Boston. Antes said the committee will determine whether to appoint a new representative to the 212 Cochituate Road Advisory Committee.
