Bristol Planning Board Minutes May 9, 2024  OF BR  TOWNI HALL 10COURT: ST. BRISTOL, RI02809 401-253-7000  BRISTOL PLANNING BOARD MAY9, 2024 MINUTES  ODE ISLP  Held: May 9,2024 in person  Present: Jessalyn Jarest Also Present: Not Present:  Charles Millard, Chairman; Anthony Murgo, Vice Chairman; Steve Katz, Secretary; Member Brian Clark (arrived at 8:22pm); Member Richard Ruggiero; Alternate Member Michael Sousa; Alternate Member  Diane Williamson, Administrative Officer/Director ofCommunity Development; Edward Tanner, Zoning  Enforcement and Principal Planner; Andrew M Teitz Esq., Assistant Town Solicitor  Chairman Millard called the meeting to order at 7:02pm and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.  A motion was made (Murgo/Katz) to accept the April meeting minutes. Ini favor: Katz, Millard, Murgo, Ruggiero, Sousa  Opposed: None  Director Williamson mentioned that there will be a public meeting on May 22nd at 7pm at Town Hall. Director Williamson also mentioned ai meeting with Secretary Prior. The State is undertaking al Housing Plan update, and inquired about Town issues. The issues that were mentioned at the meeting were off campus housing and short term rentals. Member Sousa expressed concerns with the approach proposed for RWU. There was al lot of discussion about having different tax rates on second homes. Assistant Town Solicitor Teitz mentioned that the State is using Newport as aj pilot program, but then brought the discussion back to the topics at hand. Director Williamson will keep the Board updated on what the Town C1. Update to Housing Chapter of Bristol's Comprehensive Plan Presentation, Review, and Discussion to continue the update with Jeff Davis from Horsley Witten Group & Robert O'Brien from Camoin consulting firm. Update will include strategies to achieve the goal of 10% Low- Moderate Income Housing. Also for discussion is program for affordable housing trust  Council is proposing.  fund.  Jeff Davis from Horsley Witten Group presented. Jeff explained that the recommendation is to make a universal edit to the distributed Memorandum to replace "affordable housing" with "LMI housing". He explained that LMI housing units count towards the Town's goals; affordable  housing units are. homes that are affordable to the occupant.  1    Bristol Planning Board Minutes May 9, 2024  Jeff then gave a high level overview oft the Analysis of Existing Actions and Other Potential  Actions. Actions that had comments from the Board noted below:  Analysis of Existing Actions:  H-2: Adopt a public advertising campaign to educate residents on the need for the O Chairman Millard asked how this would be done.. Jeff Davis responded that the recommendation would be to provide a standard set oftalking points for Member Sousa asked if these bullets would be included ini the Comprehensive Plan. Jeff responded that the principles can be built in, but the talking points There was a discussion about the price oft rental units in Bristol. Member Sousa suggested charging RWU: a feei for every student they can'thouse, and to use that inal LMI fund. Chairman Millard disagreed with this suggestion. A debate H-4: Work with RWU to encourage more on-campus student housing. As off-campus housing becomes surplus, the Town should consider creating opportunities for affordable housing. The Town and RWU should create an agreement offering the Town the right of ) Chairman Millard mentioned that in almost all universities, it's assumed that students live on campus the first 2 years, and off campus the second 2 years.. Jeff Davis responded that it depends if the university isi in a city where there are other H-5: Re-institute the Affordable Housing Committee to helpi identify affordable housing opportunities, advocate for/educate about affordable housing needs, and explore more creative ways to achieve affordable housing goals. Include representatives from the local Vice Chairman Murgo asked ift this would go through the Town Council. Director Williamson confirmed that the Town Council would make the Member Sousa agreed that the committee should be reinstated tol help take action There was a discussion about the history of the 'fee in lieu' calculation. H-7: Develop aj program with the Bristol Housing. Authority to recruit more landlords to participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. There are currently more Chairman Millard asked if the commitment is still 30 years. JeffI Davis responded Chairman Millard asked why we would want to invite more Section 8 housing. Jeffr responded that it's a voucher program, and that the landlords can actually make more money than on the open market. Director Williamson added that it'sa Member Ruggiero asked ift there is a cap on what you can charge. Jeff responded that yes, there isa a cap based on the region. Director Williamson stated she would Member Ruggiero added that there is a negative opinion about Section 8, and wondered how to get rid oft that opinion. Jeff Davis suggested having landlords who have had good experiences talk to try to change the negative opinion. H-12: Consider the best use or reuse oft town-owned property toi include housing and/or a portion from the sale to be applied to al housing trust or first-time homebuyer program.  creation ofa affordable housing units.  developments.  would be graphic punchlines for marketing purposes.  followed.  first refusal for these units (Almeida Apartments).  housing options or not.  housing organizations on the Committee.  appointments. and get more funding.  recipients than apartments available. that there is no time limit.  subsidy, and the government is paying the difference.  find out what the cap is for Bristol.  2    Bristol Planning Board Minutes May 9,2024  The exception to this would be the former school buildings on the Town Common which Chairman Millard asked what town owned land is available other than Guiteras school. Director Williamson listed some others, including 10 Court Street. Jeff Davis added that there may not be imminent opportunities but it is a best practice H-26: Work with service providers to create affordable child care, based on income, to O Thel Board discussed how expensive child carel has become, and that the Town is  cannot be used for housing and cannot be sold.  to include.  help people return to the workforce.  about to lose St. Michael's child care center.  Other Potential Actions:  Expanding Opportunities for Senior and Accessible Housing  Chairman Millard asked Director Williamson ifs she had any ideas for where more senior housing could go. She responded that Unity Park was on the map, but Britto has tried to work with another industrial firm. She will reach out tol him Director Williamson also mentioned Colombian Fathers as a potential future opportunity. Chairman Millard disagreed that this is aj possibility for senior o Chairman Millard mentioned that taxes are what the Town runs on, and disagreed with tax abatements in exchange for deed restrictions. This is also why he disagreed with the Colombian Fathers becoming senior housing. Director Williamson mentioned that the population needs to remain diverse in order tol keep things like the volunteer fire department. Seniors need somewhere to move to in order to free up their homes for families. Chairman Millard stated that couples without children do not put a drain on the Town like couples with children. The Town cannot support all these houses with children in the school system that are a negative drain on the taxpayers. Member Jarest disagreed with this, and mentioned that she has children in the school Member Kats asked about the land across from Rockwell school Old Orchard Farm. Director Williamson responded that the Town bought the development rights for this land and it's now preserved and will never be developed. Chairman Millard mentioned that there is a dichotomy where the Town doesn't want to develop land, but also wants to find land to develop senior housing. Member Sousa suggested approaching the Town Council when any current tax exempt property is sold, and taking a percentage of the new tax as income to fund the LMI fund. Chairman Millard disagreed with this as ifthe income goes into the general fund, it keeps taxes lowi for taxpayers. A debate followed. Member Sousa acknowledged that this is not an easy problem to solve, but it will never be Chairman Millard stated that Bristol has become such a desirable community, that some people who work in Bristol will not be able to afford to live in Bristol. Jeff Davis paused the conversation since this problem will not be solved today.  to confirm. housing.  Jeff Davis also brought up wheelchair accessibility.  Expand Resources to Rehabilitate and Deed Restrict Existing Housing  system, and spends a lot of money in town.  Member Clark arrived at 8:22pm.  solved if wel keep doing the same thing.  3    Bristol Planning Board Minutes May 9, 2024  Member Clark inquired about updated homeless stats. Director Williamson and. Jeff Davis responded that they tried, but were not successful. Member Clark still disagrees with the statistics Vice Chairman Murgo asked if there's any way to have a set number ofLMI units in Town instead ofthe 10% target. The way the Town is getting developed, he doesn'tfeel like the 10% will ever be hit. Assistant Town Solicitor Teitz and. Jeff Davis explained that because new developments have at target higher than 10%, the Town will eventually get to 10%, but slowly. Chairman Millard asked if Bristol doesn't get to 10%, what happens. Director Williamson responded that ifa community reaches 10%, it does not have to get the comprehensive permit applications. Assistant Town Solicitor Teitz added that making progress toward the 10% also counts, and that the State could also reduce funds going to Bristol if the 10% is not met. Chairman Millard and Member Clark disagreed with this approach and stated that the 10% will Director Williamson stated that wei need to show the State that Bristol is trying. Assistant Town Solicitor Teitz suggested focusing on the need for housing instead ofthe 10% target. He added that the Board should focus on what can be done, while also keeping the State requirements in mind. There is funding coming in, sO the focus should be to determine what it can be used for. Member Clark stated that the target is not realistic and iti is being forced on us. He suggested Member Sousa brought up the benefits of an LMI non-profit committee and LMI fund. Chairman The Board got up and looked at the map ofE Potential Affordable Housing Locations. They reviewed the list of potential options and discussed feasibility. There was a lot of debate and discussion. Member Clark mentioned that market volatility is not being considered. Thel LMI Director Williamson asked how important the list is.. JeffDavis responded that iti is as important as the Board decides it is, and that a list can be created/kept but not published. Member Sousa reiterated that the Board should approach Britto, RWU, etc to understand their JeffDavis will review the memo, and send notes and ideas to Director Williamson.  that were provided.  never be met.  pushing back on the State.  Millard asked where the LMI housing would go.  Committee was discussed again.  plans. Even ifthey say no, the Board can get in line.  D1. Correspondence from Director Williamson inviting the Board to the. June 4, 2024workshop on  thel Route 1141 Resilience Plan  Director Williamson mentioned that the June 4th workshop is with Barringtona and Warren, and  is to discuss coastal flooding.  D2. Correspondence from Nick Toth inviting the Board to the presentation on thel Bristol  Waterfront Historic District Re-survey report on July 10, 2024 A motion was made (Murgo) to adjourn the meeting. In favor: Katz, Millard, Murgo, Ruggiero, Sousa  4    Bristol Planning Board Draft Minutes May 9, 2024  Opposed: None Meeting adjourned at 9:04pm  Respectfully submitted by Doran Smith, Recording Secretary Date Approved: 1sje 2024 Planning Board:  5