MANCHESTER HOUSING TASK FORCE
May 10, 2023
Manchester Town Hall – Kilburn Meeting Room
_______________________________________
Minutes
In attendance: Ed Morrow, Judd Hoffman, John Burnham, Gordon Black, Victoria Silsby
Absent: Seth Bongartz, Kathleen James, Melanie Johnson, Cat Bryars
Kevin Nielsen resigned from the Task Force
President, Judd Hoffman, called meeting to order: 5:29pm
Minutes of April 12, 2023 meeting
John Burnham made motion to accept the minutes as circulated from the meeting on
April 12, 2023
5 in favor/0 opposed motion carries
Presentation from Shires Housing – Madison Kremer, Housing Development Director
also in attendance from Shires was Curan Vanderwielen and Evernorth (online attendance)
Questions and discussions included:
1. Are there a number of units to make the project financially feasible? Between high teens and less than 40 units for Evernorth
Note: Proposed Bill in VT legislature for a project with less than 25 units to avoid Act 250
2. County Market Rate: Not Manchester specific
a. Studio: $933.
b. 1 bedroom: $974
c. 2 bedroom: $1232
3. What about Missing Middle: 20% of units are market rate or above affordability cutoff
60% of median inc: people holding up businesses and institutions of the area-
Benn County: 2022 1 person household $36k, 100% $60K/yr by household
4. How does Evernorth fund projects? Private investment/funding and regional and local banks. Banks purchase the tax credits.
5. NOTE: Shires needs to hear from town in June-based on funding cycle. Ed Morrow and Gordon Black suggest moving Shires project out of committee to the town with Judd Hoffman advocating use of architect from other proposal. Victoria Silsby advocated incorporating the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) process.
Housing Task Force recommending proposal to selectboard and entering option and
allowing them to move forward and enter with option
Judd Hoffman will contact the selectboard.
Subcommittee reports
Communication and Private Owners: Private Owners with consideration of sewer and water hook up and how to reach the general public. How to connect with and engage in discussion with private landowners.
Town Owned (longer term): identify the next large parcels
Infill development (ADU-Short Term): Manch zoning and administrator are mistaken. 30% or 900sq ft. Planning is updating information. Shaftsbury has 50%. Woodstock: restrictions and funding. They are very aggressive with short term rentals.
Public Comments/Questions
Ron Mancini: following up on # of units. advocates 2 projects that bring 50-60 units
Bill Drunsic: cautions reaching for the sky with number of units. How does the floodplain come into play-part of the feasibility study. Is there an opportunity to un-label the floodplain. ADU’s: what prevents them from being short term rentals-funding from the state to make them long term. Should only be in zoned area where B&B’s are.
Bill Drunsic asked to be on agenda to speak about income levels/housing for teachers-town staff
Other Business-None
Ed Morrow made motion to adjourn and seconded by John to adjourn at 703
John Burnham seconded motion to adjourn
5 in favor/0 opposed, Motion Carries
Meeting adjourned at 7:03pm