The Community Preservation Committee on Jan. 9 reviewed an application to replace 132 windows at the Derby Block, a downtown rehabilitation project at 8084 North Main Street, that includes a request for $548,011 in historic-preservation funds.

Ken Faiola, who identified himself as executive vice president of Bristol County Community Development Corporation and the applicant’s representative for the Durfee Trust Limited Partnership, told the committee the total project cost is roughly $8.7 million and that financing includes MassHousing and National Park Service tax credits and $1 million from MassDevelopment. He described an existing TIF arrangement for the property and outlined typical 10-year TIF terms: an 80 percent tax exemption on the new value for the first five years and 20 percent in the second five years.

Committee members questioned the absence of deed-restricted affordable units. "I just wish there were some affordable housing. Could you explain why there is none?" one member asked. Faiola said the city already has an above-average share of deed-restricted affordable rental housing and argued the city needs a balanced mix of market-rate units as well.

The applicant provided letters of support from the Historic Commission and said the project is ready to proceed with financing and incentives in place. The committee did not vote on funding during the hearing and signaled it would consider affordability and project mix during deliberations.