Cohasset officials are exploring the transformation of approximately 20 acres of town-owned land near the Music Circus and Evergreen Lane into a high-density housing district. Chair Paul Kierce reported that the Housing Trust is investigating the use of 40R zoning, a state tool designed to encourage workforce housing through increased density. Kierce described 40R as a light-handed alternative to the more rigid MBTA Communities Act requirements, noting it could allow for a mix of townhouses and smaller single-family homes that would help residents downsize while remaining in the community.

The development of the site, which includes 14 acres near the Music Circus and 6 acres abutting Evergreen Lane, is envisioned as a long-term solution to the town’s affordable housing needs. Kierce cautioned that the project would likely be a minimum of a five-year process and may involve transferring the land to the Housing Trust to streamline the request-for-proposals process. Discussion among committee members centered on the definition of affordability in the current market. Vice Chair Mary Hynes asked about the current price point for small A affordable units, noting that recent listings on Railroad Avenue reached $850,000. Kierce estimated that these new units would likely target a price range between $550,000 and $750,000.

Town Planner Cassandra Thayer provided updates on the 14-unit development at One Pleasant Street. The project is currently undergoing a procedural correction after converting its planned units from ownership to rentals. Thayer explained that the Local Action Unit agreement needed to be redone because the LAU is contingent upon what sort of units they are. This administrative step is required before the Select Board signs the agreement, allowing the town to eventually include all 14 units in its Subsidized Housing Inventory. Member Beth Tarpey sought clarification on the terminology, asking What's the LAU stand for again? Thayer confirmed it stands for Local Action Unit, a designation that ensures local units count toward state housing mandates.

Operational shifts are also underway at the Cohasset Housing Authority. Member Fred Koed announced that the town has entered into a two-year management agreement with the Scituate Housing Authority, effective January 1, 2026. We are going forward with the Scituate housing managing us, Koed said. They do the day-to-day administration and we still keep the employees we have in Cohasset. This partnership comes as the authority manages a massive waiting list of 3,500 people, though Koed noted the list is being scrubbed because many applicants mistakenly applied for one-bedroom units when the available inventory consists of studios. Koed also highlighted ongoing maintenance challenges at the Elm Street property, where ledge and clay soil have contributed to basement flooding in the authority's offices.

Looking toward future preservation, Vice Chair Mary Hynes suggested the town investigate relocating modest, older homes to town-owned lots rather than allowing them to be demolished for larger developments. I'm wondering if anybody ever thought of the possibility of having an existing structure moved to another location we might have available? Hynes asked, noting she had seen several homes recently that seemed suitable for salvage. Kierce noted that while the town has successfully moved structures in the past—specifically from the Stop and Shop site and Forest Avenue—the primary obstacle remains the lack of buildable town-owned lots, citing previous failures to develop sites on Heather Drive and Mill Lane due to environmental constraints.

Finally, the committee discussed the status of the town’s Housing Production Plan. Although a plan was adopted in 2020, Thayer revealed it was strategically withheld from state submission because the town already met Safe Harbor thresholds. By waiting to submit an update, the town can trigger a new two-year protection period against certain 40B developments when it is most needed. Thayer recommended the town begin seeking grant funding now to prepare an updated plan by the seven-year mark in 2027.

Motion Made by F. Koed to accept the minutes of the last meeting. Motion Passed (4-0).