The Oak Bluffs select board Tuesday refrained from decisions regarding two affordable housing plans, opting to seek further information on requests made by the town’s affordable housing committee.
The board first held off on any action regarding a plan to move planned veterans’ housing from 519 County Road to 50 Bellvue avenue, citing concerns that voters would not be involved in the decision if the move is approved.
At a special town meeting last November, voters approved the transfer of about five acres at 519 County Road to the town’s affordable housing trust for development as veterans housing. But affordable housing committee chair Mark Leonard said deed restrictions on the property have complicated plans for development, and requested the site be moved to 50 Bellvue avenue, another town-owned property.
Mr. Leonard said 50 Bellvue is a bit smaller of a property at 3.4 acres, but noted the land’s title is clear.
“And it does still fit the need and the mission,” he said.
Members of the select board questioned what neighbors of the potential development thought of the plan. Mr. Leonard said in meetings with neighbors, he heard concern about size and crowding, but assured the veterans housing would have a low impact.
“We’re not going to be in their backyard,” he said.
But additional concerns led the board to forgo a decision on the change of plans in search of more information. Board members said that voters should be consulted on the plan, especially after it was approved at a special town meeting.
“It’s not a decision to be taken lightly at all,” board member Gail Barmakian said.
In another discussion with the affordable housing committee, the select board opted to push off a decision on transferring $250,000 from the affordable housing trust to the Island Housing Trust for costs related to the southern tier affordable housing project.
The plan is to build 45 units on the 7.8-acre town-owned property located off the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road near the YMCA.The money would be used for engineering, design and permitting unrelated to construction costs.
Mr. Leonard said $200,000 in community preservation funds slated for the project are only available for costs directly related to construction.
Island Housing Trust CEO Phillipe Jordi added that approval of the funds by the town would be a strong move to bolster applications for grants as the project moves forward.
“The town’s participation will be considered as part of that competitive process,” he said.
But board members expressed concern that allotting the $250,000 would nearly deplete the affordable housing trust, leaving little money for further projects. Board member Jason Balboni suggested that the town approve $140,000, leaving some funding in the trust.
“If we did [$140,000], it would leave [$300,000] in the account,” he said.
The board chose to look into options for the project and put the request on a future agenda.
The board also approved an altered premise application for The Alley on Kennebec avenue, allowing the bar to shift some indoor seating outdoors for the next month.
Owner Kelley Morris requested two picnic tables for the bar’s patio, with the understanding that 10 seats inside the bar, which has a capacity of 19, would be removed during the picnic tables’ use.
The board approved a one-month trial period for the change, and encouraged Ms. Morris to work cooperatively with her neighbors on noise concerns.
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