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Planning Board pursues housing directory and partners for housing-needs assessment
Summary
Board members agreed to expand a Housing Resource/Contractor Directory and explore a formal housing needs assessment with regional partners. Chair Andy Flewelling and Planning Assistant Penny Anderson reported outreach to the Chamber, the Northern Maine Development Commission and others; board members recommended contacting PIHA and ACAP and forming a subcommittee.
The Presque Isle Planning Board on June 18 followed up on work to build a Housing Resource/Contractor Directory and discussed next steps for a housing-needs assessment.
Chair Andy Flewelling said he would scan the Chamber of Commerce business directory into the project; Planning Assistant Penny Anderson told the board she had already placed the Chamber listings into the spreadsheet discussed at the prior meeting. Flewelling said he had spoken with representatives from the Aroostook Partnership and the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC), who indicated that housing conversations have occurred over the years but little action has followed.
Member Bruce Roope said the board should obtain an actual needs assessment for lower- and middle-income housing and suggested reaching out to the Presque Isle Housing Authority (PIHA) to see whether assessments exist. Ward Gerow agreed and identified PIHA and the Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) as potential partners. Tim Vernon said the assessment should cover not only low- and moderate-income households but also employees that local employers — including VALT, engineering firms, the hospital and MMG — are recruiting and who need affordable housing.
Flewelling proposed forming a subcommittee to meet with the agencies mentioned. Bruce Roope suggested investigating prefabricated housing and its price ranges for building or rental options. Alternate Sean Nordenhold noted a 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 7.25 percent as part of the local housing-cost context.
Board members also requested an update on hiring for the Planner position; Tim Vernon said he would prefer waiting until a replacement Planner is on staff before advancing the survey work. Flewelling said he would contact Jay Kamm at NMDC about any existing housing assessments.
Next steps recorded in the minutes: form a subcommittee to coordinate with PIHA, ACAP and NMDC (no meeting date specified) and defer broader survey work until the Planner position is filled or staff direction is provided.
