BOA memo re blended projects 205287 — File 205676

To: Ald. Ben Ewan-Campen, Housing and Community Development Committee Chair Members of the Board of Aldermen From: Kristen Stelljes, CPA Manager and Michael Feloney, Housing Director Re: Designation of small open spaces in CPA programs Date: March 21, 2018 We appreciate the Board of Aldermen’s unwavering support for the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in Somerville. Your commitment to this program and the projects it supports is a key part of what has made CPA so successful in Somerville. On March 8, 2018, Alderman Hirsch requested information regarding the feasibility and current practice relating to whether or not small open spaces could be designated as publically accessible open space in combination with an affordable housing or historic preservation funding allocation (agenda item 205287). We appreciate this inquiry and opportunity to share our practices around encouraging blended projects. The Community Preservation Committee strongly encourages applicants to propose projects that address two or more of the CPA focus areas: affordable housing, historic resources, and open space/recreation land. This has been a priority in the annual Community Preservation Plan since the first iteration in FY15. Applicants who propose blended projects are considered more favorably for funding than projects that only address one focus area. The Committee also has a policy to require perpetual preservation restrictions on all historic resources projects and has included public access requirements where appropriate. We have received one blended historic resources/recreation land application to date- the restoration of Prospect Hill Park, which is one of Somerville’s most beloved passive parks and is also a local historic district. Affordable housing applications go directly to the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The Trust is currently working with Preservation of Affordable Housing and the Somerville Community Corporation to finalize plans for the Clarendon Hill Apartments redevelopment, which will include park uses and open space that will be publically accessible. JOSEPH A. CURTATONE MAYOR CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE