Community Preservation Act

[dancerjodi]

It passed by 9 votes in Waltham: http://www.dailynewstribune.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=64938

Thoughts? Does your city have something like this in place (I'm curious what people's experiences have been). Its seemed to have worked well in nearby Newton since it was passed a few years ago.

Given Waltham's obscenely low tax rate, I figured that a 2% increase wouldn't kill me. Low income and Senior residents are exempt from it, and $ is matched by the state. Given the (imo) overdevelopment happening in some parts of the city and the plethora of property coming up for potential public use (old schools, closing hospitals) I think that community development is going to be especially important.

I'm curious if this passed in Watertown (my browser keeps crashing each time I try and get anywhere on the News Tribune site), also.

Comments

[developer.livejournal.com]

I think it depends on how it is used -- my first though was that it was a good idea -- managing growth is important, and while I think the growth in Waltham can keep happening, making sure it doesn't get overrun with idiot developers is in the town's best interest.

Reading the first page of the article however, I realized that it could mean that privately held undeveloped land could be siezed by the city, and then they could do what they want with it, which raises the specter of the New London incident. If I've held on to a parcel of land for 15 years, do I have the right to develop it as I want to, or to sell it for whatever price I want to?

Eminent domain

[dancer.livejournal.com]

But, the city can take property via eminent domain for public purposes now as it is. All the CPA does is take some extra $ from taxpayers to help fund these projects (and then secures state matching) . . .

Re: Eminent domain

[developer.livejournal.com]

Certainly, but as the land owner pointed out, this increases the city coffers for eminent domain. Right now they can only buy what they can afford.

Which in some cases might not be a bad thing -- buying a run down building and turning it into affordable housing would be a great use of eminent domain. Rehabbing an old school as a community center is another good use.

I think that I like you would vote for it because in the end the potential good outweighs the potential bad, but when one gives the city more power or resources, the city bear watching. Which I suspect you will continue to do -- in that if they decided to tear down woods for a pfizer plant, you would object, while building something that benefits the community, or holding the land undeveloped in trust for the community would be good.

Re: Eminent domain

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"Which in some cases might not be a bad thing -- buying a run down building and turning it into affordable housing would be a great use of eminent domain. Rehabbing an old school as a community center is another good use."

A good deal of the property being eyed for development of large scale projects right now is either owned by the city (old schools) or state (Fernald, Metropolitan State Hospital). I think that's why this has had little public outcry against the CPA in Waltham - there isn't any kind of official organized group (only this 1 guy that owns woody property in North Waltham).

I am curious if changing demographics in the city (i.e. increase in yuppies) has anything to do with this passing (it didn't the last time around, 2001 iirc).

[wench33.livejournal.com]

agreed on the overdevelopment. Trapelo Rd REALLY needs the amount of traffic new condo's and a freaking golf course are going to bring.

blech!

[fes42.livejournal.com]

It didn't pass in Watertown. (check the town site for results)

I voted no yesterday. Mostly becuase it was a tax increase on projects that would be NICE not that we needed. People who were supporting it had good agruements, new playing fields and buying some land and helping those who work in the town to live here. But the land they are looking to buy (the Gore Estate) is worth 25 million the CPA would have only give Watertwon 1.6 million for the first two years not nearly enough to buy that land. And the idea of our town workers living in town is great (I live and work here myself) but it seems to be a can of worms that is going to lead to nepitisim and well we've seen enough of that on the federal level these past few months that made me think it's not a good idea.

And while it's only a cup of coffee a day thing, and those who can't pay need not, the paperwork and problems you would have to go through to get an exemption you have to A. go to town hall (that's hard for the elderly) and B. do it every year. I am not a fan of making it hard for people to prove they can't pay - it's just another hoop to jump through that many would rather not do and end up with (alittle) less money in their pockets.

It just didn't seem to be the right time nor the right idea for Watertown.

CPA

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"But the land they are looking to buy (the Gore Estate) is worth 25 million"

Interesting. The Gore Estate (the house) is actually in Waltham (the excess land in Watertown). The house is a registered historic landmark and I'm sure there are different laws that govern the development of that area as a result. I'm sure there would be quite a battle between Watertown + Waltham or Watertown and the Feds (if there is desire to build a massive affordable housing complex, or something of that like there). Its happening over in North Waltham with Waltham, Belmont and Lexington that all own land on the old Metropolitan State and Middlesex Hospital grounds.

Administrative hassles aside, I think that the city giving up free state money in exchange for a teensy bit smaller tax rate wasn't worth it (which was why I voted to support it). I know that there are organizations available in the city that could get Seniors to City Hall (or go for them) and/or educate others about the issues impacting housing (I'm thinking of http://www.watchcdc.org/, who I'm sure would support this bill because they want more affordable housing but they also do a lot of supportive activity for renters)). I'd like to try and control the amount of these moving into my neighborhood where old Victorians used to be http://www.diabolis.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=200&pos=30

Re: CPA

[fes42.livejournal.com]

Excatly why I voted against it! I think Watertown buying a lawn or two at the Gore Estate is pie in the sky.

I shall have to check out this watchcdc you speak of....

Plus I didn't think it was going to pass in Watertwon, the Tab these past weeks had a lot of people against it.

It is passing up free money. But that money came at a price.