Perhaps it is bureaucracy ?
Google search turned up the excerpt from Wayland meeting minutes, but didn't find anything more recent.
WAYLAND HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Joint meeting with:
Wayland Housing Authority
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
Planning Board
Minutes – October 23, 2019
Launcher Way: This 5.6 acre property in north Wayland is close to the former Nike site. Consisting of 12 single family units, the Town would like to acquire the parcel for affordable rental housing. The units are owned by the federal government and, based on a relatively new law, they are apparently obligated to sell the property to the highest bidder, which could yield bids as high as $2-5 million. At the low end, the estimate is based on a calculation that, by right, a developer could build 4-5 units @ $500,000/lot. At the higher end, the developer could use chapter 40B or seek another type of zoning variance. However, a zoning change voted on at the Special Town Meeting in 2018 could reduce the maximum bids received, since it severely restricts future uses of certain rental parcels (see Note below). Many participants felt that the Town should start discussions with possible development partners, particularly nonprofit organizations working in Metrowest. The Government’s environmental review of the property is in the public comments phase. Following this period, Sarkis expects that the property will be ready to be marketed. Depending on the government’s schedule, it is possible that we could bring the issue to Town Meeting in the spring and, perhaps, borrow against future MAHT allocations. Although not mentioned at the meeting, Rachel would like to add a special note of thanks to Sarkis for his work on Launcher Way and his efforts to retain the land for affordable housing.
Launcher Way: This 5.6 acre property in north Wayland is close to the former Nike site. Consisting of 12 single family units, the Town would like to acquire the parcel for affordable rental housing. The units are owned by the federal government and, based on a relatively new law, they are apparently obligated to sell the property to the highest bidder, which could yield bids as high as $2-5 million. At the low end, the estimate is based on a calculation that, by right, a developer could build 4-5 units @ $500,000/lot. At the higher end, the developer could use chapter 40B or seek another type of zoning variance. However, a zoning change voted on at the Special Town Meeting in 2018 could reduce the maximum bids received, since it severely restricts future uses of certain rental parcels (see Note below). Many participants felt that the Town should start discussions with possible development partners, particularly nonprofit organizations working in Metrowest. The Government’s environmental review of the property is in the public comments phase. Following this period, Sarkis expects that the property will be ready to be marketed. Depending on the government’s schedule, it is possible that we could bring the issue to Town Meeting in the spring and, perhaps, borrow against future MAHT allocations. Although not mentioned at the meeting, Rachel would like to add a special note of thanks to Sarkis for his work on Launcher Way and his efforts to retain the land for affordable housing.
---------- Original message ----------
From: [email protected]
Date: Fri Jan 28 11:35:04 EST 2022
Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Housing
To: [email protected];
On the subject of affordable housing, could someone educate me about the 11 vacant, seemingly abandoned-in-the-middle-of-the-night, single-family, ranch-style houses on Launcher Way and Oxbow? I’ve driven by this deserted neighborhood for six years now on my way to LSRHS, and wondered how such waste of would-be affordable housing stock is possible. Why isn’t it being used?
Heather Anderson
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 28, 2022, at 9:47 AM, Victoria Benalfew wrote:
Hi Patrick,--You raised many good points that I agree with. I do want to point out though that having a full time "good-paying" job isn't enough anymore (or maybe the wages of what one can consider a "good paying" job has changed considerably).Take the job that pays $20. At 40 hours per week, that is $800. Monthly pay before taxes will be $3200. Now assume this person is a single parent of one child or the caretaker of elderly parents with meager Social Security incomes.A 2 bedroom apartment costs roughly $2000. Already over 50 percent of their pre-tax income has been taken for rent. Utilities are additional, as are food, childcare, et cetera.This is why in addition to the need for physical housing in accessible areas, there is a need for truly affordable housing, which I would consider as income-driven rents, where families can afford to live and make ends meet.Thank you for reading,Victoria BenalfewOn Fri, Jan 28, 2022, 9:05 AM Patrick B <[email protected]> wrote:Hi Lincoln,To understand the housing situation, we must understand what is happening in Boston and the region:I hope this helps.
- When housing costs go up in Boston, it goes up everywhere.
- Affordability of housing is not just about cost, it's about access to public transportation and jobs.
- Builders have been building fewer houses since 2008. They are building houses and apartments mainly in high income areas (along 128).
- Another factor is that people who used to retire and move south are now staying because of the quality of our healthcare system here in Mass.
- I think the solution is real full time jobs that pay well (at least $20).
- Another positive thing that I see happening in the next 5 years is conversion of many office and commercial spaces into apartments.
Thank you,P--On Fri, Jan 28, 2022 at 7:04 AM Christine Damon <[email protected]> wrote:I am so happy Housing is being discussed here!
I love the proposal for more units close to the train station and I love the proposals for more accessory apartments as residents recognize that they can comfortably live in much smaller spaces and help reduce their ecological footprint.
Like Susan, I have looked in vain for affordable units in eastern Ma when I was the director of a migrant educational program and my students faced eviction during the pandemic.
Now I teach at HAB and hear students talking about how their parents plan to retire from the military but struggle to find housing in the region.
A small group of us here in Lincoln have been looking for two years for an affordable apartment in town for a single mother of 3 who is a social worker in her country of origin but who works as a cleaning person at an elder care facility while she learns English. Her monthly income is less than the cost of a 2-bedroom rental.
I feel hopeful both that environmental awareness is speeding up downsizing and that awareness is growing about the damage of systemic racism in housing realities and about how that works to maintain America’s caste system.
I love this town but struggled to sustain the love, especially during the large house building boom of the 1990s. Currently my love is strengthening as I see the pendulum shifting in a healthier direction on so many fronts and on so many issues.
Thank you all for all you do and for choosing to live in this special place.
Chris Damon
Sent from my iPhone
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