Amesbury Housing Trust
OCED reported an expected ~$300,000 in in‑lieu payments tied to 130 Market St; Disposition Committee updates discussed potential reuse of 59–63 Cynthia Lane (reference 2022-087) and redevelopment options for 21 Pond View Ave; Council ordinance 2024-083 (Community Preservation Committee) was noted as having no Housing Trust seat.
The Amesbury Housing Trust met to review financial status, program updates, planning items and specific disposition sites. OCED Director Cracknell reported a Trust account balance over $150,000 and described an approved Planning Board in‑lieu payment structure for 130 Market St (negotiated at $30,000/unit), with roughly $300,000 expected as units close over the next 12 months. Director Cracknell also briefed trustees on the State Housing Inventory (SHI) gap (about 8.5%, ~118 units) and the bias in state rules that favors rental counting toward SHI over private ownership. Updates were given on CDBG/HOME funding (state response pending on a new CDBG application; HOME funds continuing rental subsidy work) and on monitoring (LDS continuing to monitor Amesbury Heights). The trustees reviewed MBTA zoning amendment implications (state estimates requiring zoning for ~789 units) and general 40R/40B zoning history in Amesbury.
The Disposition Committee provided project updates for specific parcels: 59–63 Cynthia Lane (referencing 2022-087) where the current surplus/solicitation authorization was reviewed — the record indicates a minimum of four affordable units and nonprofit development, and trustees discussed options ranging from single‑family lot sales to an 18‑unit starter‑home concept. 21 Pond View Ave (Trader Allan’s Truck Stop) was discussed with a recommendation for a feasibility/market study and possible reuse concepts including a 40R mixed‑use development, hotel/restaurant, assisted living, or DPW storage with relocation cost considerations. Trustees also discussed several future program ideas (first‑time homebuyer assistance, development assistance, senior homeowner repair assistance, cooperative housing for the homeless, and “pallet housing” on Housing Authority land) and reiterated funding strategies combining HOME, CPA, future CDBG, and developer in‑lieu payments. Chair Stanganelli noted ordinance 2024-083 (establishing a Community Preservation Committee) has been submitted to Council and as proposed would not reserve a seat for a Housing Trust trustee. No substantive public comments were recorded; two members of the public attended. Next steps included trustee review of other housing trusts to inform AHT priorities, adopting a project prioritization grid for future agendas, and research into the pallet housing proposal. The meeting schedule was set for the second Wednesday of each month Sept–Dec (no August meeting).