Housing Committee
Comprehensive Plan
March 11, 2003
10 members present: Jack Shipley, Paige Farmer, Lee Shipley, Al Roberge, Ellen Breed, Sue Roberge, Dick Dionne, John Sterling, Ray Guerin, Skip Clough
CHANGE in upcoming meeting date – last meeting scheduled for April 22. Any objections to changing this to April 29?
Jeanne spoke first.
· Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast has been in operation for 3 years.
· Problem is getting past the mind set of “affordable” meaning “low income” meaning a terrible mess.
· Our area is similar to No. California when looking at % of income needed for housing, 50% is typical.
· Business community needs housing so can attract workers.
· WHC has helped support legislation ie. loan guarantees.
· WHC can work as a go between btwn Developer and a Planning Board to help develop something where all parties can agree, from quality of construction to best use of the land.
· A mix of housing is a good way to accomplish a solution.
· Median house cost in Seacoast is $242,000.00
· Supply is low, development costs are high, land values are high.
· One idea, business can subsidize housing.
· Solutions, condense building type and size in the community, look at developers costs, establish criteria for all aspects so to promote housing that fills the need of those needing homes.
Housing attracts Businesses Retain workers Increase spending in our communities Housing
WHC meets the first Friday of the month at Fleet Bank on Islington Street in Portsmouth, 8 AM – 9:30 AM.
They have a zoning and planning committee. They can help by providing information re:how to look at our current zoning criteria to help have housing that serves a broader base of home owners.
Mary Ann spoke second:
· York County is 2nd most populous, growing the fastest in ME. 13.5% growth in ???? (oops).
· Growth is in the upper income brackets which effect the costo f housing which then drives the mid income and lower incomes out of the area.
· Almost all that is being built is single family 9occupany housing.
· Almost 59% of the median income population can’t afford to purchase in York County.
· ME is in top 5 in the nation in home ownership BUT the trend is that it is harder and harder to own a home given the current income levels vs. current cost of housing.
· In our comphrensive plan the state dictates that AT A MINIMUM 10% must be earmarked as “affordable” housing. We can go higher, we can establish that 60% is for families – 20% for elderly- 20% whatever – Look at it in regards to what we want our community to look like ie; dependant on income levels represented in the town.
· We can create growth zones.
· Look at our Zoning Book as a proactive document regarding increasing opportunities for workforce housing development.
· Regionalize resources, requires the pooling of resources
· Educational component that challenges us to THINK DIFFERENTLY.
· What do you want, what do you want to preserve
Mary Ann’s group meets the 3rd Wed. of the month in the Wells Town Hall 8AM – 9AM. Meeting are suspended for the next couple of month.
Lots of materials with data for York County were distributed by Mary Ann demonstrating the need for workforce housing and the trends within the communities.
Jack passed out maps of town owned property. Ray, John, Al and Jack to go look at them.
Steering Committee want a Cultural committee to be added to the mix. Anyone want to sign on?
Next meeting, March 25 at 6:30.
Where do we want to be, how do we get there, do we establish some kind of target %’s for workforce housing in South Berwick.
Impact Fees?
Growth zones
Rural Character, what do we want to encourage.
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