The Cohasset Affordable Housing Steering Committee convened on Tuesday, December 16, to discuss several key housing initiatives, including a potential new single-family home development and efforts to ensure the town receives full credit for its existing affordable units. The meeting was led by President Beth and attended by members Fred, Mary, and Paul, with support from town staff member Cassandra. A significant topic was a developer's interest in building 10 to 20 single-family homes on a large parcel off Black Rock Road. Committee member Paul noted that this proposal, which has previously faced challenges regarding sewer access and conservation, would be subject to a town bylaw requiring 10% of the new homes to be deed-restricted as affordable. "I was worried about 20 homes being added to the housing stock," Paul said, "but since there's 10% of them have to be deed restricted, we would be okay there." The committee discussed the logistics of such a project, with President Beth questioning the feasibility. "I don't know how they could on Black Rock Road... have deed restricted houses. Like, what would they have to sell for?" she asked.

The committee also focused on maximizing the town's Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) count from existing properties. A lengthy discussion centered on Old Colony Square, where the town currently receives credit for only two affordable units, despite the complex containing ten rental apartments. The discrepancy may stem from rules that were in place when the property was first permitted. Staff member Cassandra agreed to investigate the matter with the state. "It could be that when the [unit] was permitted, perhaps that portion of the law was not a thing," Cassandra stated, "but I can talk to my contact at the state and see if there's a way to address that." The goal, as member Fred explained, is an accounting correction. "We're just asking to get credit for the remaining apartments on the SHI," he said. The committee is hopeful that pending updates, such as the 14 units at One Pleasant Street reverting to apartments and three units on South Main, will soon be added to the town's official SHI count.

The committee revisited the topic of developing town-owned land near Evergreen Lane, a proposal that drew considerable resident feedback at a previous meeting. Member Mary asked for clarification on the project's status, "Are we going to abandon this Evergreen Lane because of the neighbors?" Paul assured her the site was still under consideration as part of a broader review of the entire 14-acre contiguous parcel, which extends behind the South Shore Music Circus. He suggested that if a property is deemed truly undevelopable, it should be formally protected. "If folks say you can't build there... then we should go to conservation and have them put a conservation restriction on the land forever."

During the meeting, Fred also provided an update from the Cohasset Housing Authority, reporting that they are reviewing a proposal from Scituate to manage Cohasset's properties. "On behalf of the Scituate Housing Authority, please accept this letter... as a formal response to the management agreement search," Fred read from the proposal. He also noted that grant money has been secured to refurbish vacant units. The committee also handled administrative tasks, approving a meeting schedule for 2026 and the minutes from their October session. Motion Made by Fred to accept the meeting minutes for October. Motion Passed 4-0. The committee expressed interest in attending the Housing Trust's January 14 meeting to hear from an affordable housing expert.