Cohasset’s quest to maintain its "safe harbor" status against unfriendly 40B developments received a significant boost this week as state officials signaled the formal inclusion of 14 new affordable units into the town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI). Town Planner Cassandra Thayer informed the Affordable Housing Steering Committee that the regulatory agreement for One Pleasant Street is moving through the final signature phase following state approval. Thayer anticipated the units would officially hit the town's ledger shortly after Labor Day, noting that the SHI is usually a little bit quicker than that compared to other regulatory filings.

The committee is currently racing against the clock of the 2030 census, which will reset the town’s total housing denominator and potentially threaten its standing above the state-mandated 10 percent affordable threshold. Thayer presented a memo estimating that Cohasset may add 80 new housing units by 2030 based on a five-year average of 20 new homes annually. Member Beth Tarpey questioned the feasibility of that growth rate given the town's dwindling land supply. That seemed high because I feel like we're getting pretty close to being built out, Tarpey said. I can't picture where 80 more units would be unless they developed something in the new overlay district. Thayer clarified that the estimate includes recent condo developments on Elm Street and near the harbor, which may have skewed recent averages.

To stay ahead of the census reset, Chair Paul Kierce is pursuing "quick wins" by targeting existing multi-unit properties for deed restrictions. Kierce reported that he is attempting to contact the owners of Cohasset Crossing to discuss converting additional apartments into affordable units. Under state rules, if 25 percent of a rental building is deed-restricted, the entire building can be counted toward the SHI. I also tried to get a hold of the folks that own Cohasset Crossing to see if we could talk to them about converting a few extra units so we can get credit for all of them, Kierce noted.

The committee also looked back at missed opportunities for municipal sites, including the King Street station and the Cohasset Crossing building itself, which Kierce recalled was once considered for a combined police, fire, and Town Hall facility for $16 million. While those plans have long since faded, current housing interest is pivoting toward Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Following recent changes to state law that allow ADUs "by right," Thayer reported that the building department has already seen multiple permit applications. I think it was a good idea, Tarpey said of the shift. There is a demand for it, people are interested in in-law friendly setups.

Financial planning for the town’s long-term housing strategy is also moving forward with a grant application to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The grant would fund an eight-month process to update the town’s Housing Production Plan, a document required every five years. Vice Chair Mary Hynes, who has been reviewing the town’s housing memos, pledged to provide a status report at the next meeting. I need to get with Cassandra and get some assignments because I'm happy to help with the heavy lifting, Hynes said.

At the Cohasset Housing Authority, Member Fred Koed reported that administrative cleanups are beginning to yield results for Elm Street residents. Vacancies at the site have dropped from 15 to 13 units, and a project to install ground fault interrupters in kitchens and bathrooms is currently underway. They're still working on a lot of administrative cleanup, Koed said, noting that a drainage study for the property is still seeking state funding. The committee plans to reorganize and appoint a chair for the coming year during their June 16 meeting before taking a summer recess in July and August.