RFP-Just-Big-Enough_Burts-Bog-Limited-Development-Affordable-Housing-Lots_WF10-8-2017
Request for Proposals for Affordable Housing Development
Three Dwelling Units at Burts Pit Road, Northampton
Burts Bog Limited Development
Released October 9, 2017
Proposals due: Tuesday November 21, 2017, 1:00 PM by email to WFeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov
Questions: Wayne Feiden, Northampton Office of Planning & Sustainability, at email above
Summary: Three building lots, with funding for architectural fees, to be developed for three
affordable single family homes (with or without accessory dwelling units)
Location: Burts Pit Road, Northampton
Eligible Bidder: Nonprofit affordable housing developers
Property Description
Three lots, each with frontage on Burts Pit Road using a single shared driveway for vehicle access. The
property is adjacent to the Burts Bog Greenway, a 121 acre conservation area.
The three lots will be created by dividing up Lots 5 and 7 on the attached site plans into three lots.
Project Details
1. The City has received development Special Permit/Site Plan Approval and Stormwater Permits for the
property. The City intends to apply for new permit to replat Lots 5 and 7 into three lots and convert
Lot 9 into open space.
2. The successful bidder will purchase the referenced property for $1:
a. The bidder will grant the City an affordable housing restriction for three units, one one‐bedroom,
one two‐bedroom, and one three‐bedroom, affordable and sold to families earning no more than
80% of Area Median Income (80% AMI), for a minimum term of 99 years.
b. The bidder must be ready for a February 2018 closing, or whenever all the revised permitting is
complete, whichever is later.
3. The successful bidder will need to comply with all requirements of the Massachusetts Department of
Housing and Community Development’s Local Initiative Program to ensure that the units will be
counted on DHCD’s Subsidized Housing Inventory for Northampton. The bidder should do their due
diligence on DHCD requirements on design, size, sales price, marketing, and tenant selection lottery.
4. The successful bidder will develop a minimum of three single family homes:
a. For sale for individuals or families earning no more than 80% AMI.
b. The bidder may or may not choose to include accessory units in each home, which are not
required to have any affordable housing restrictions.
5. The homes must meet the following performance and program standards:
a. The homes must be net zero energy homes, with the addition of not more than 4kw of photo‐
voltaic panels on site or off site (although the development of those panels is not required).
b. There shall be insulation with a minimum of R30 walls, R60 attic, and R‐20 foundation walls/slap,
or under lowest floor.
c. The house must meet the energy star, building code, energy stretch code, health code in effect
when the house is built.
d. The house must meet the following programmatic requirement
Units Bedrooms Min. Size Max. Size Bathrooms Zero Lot
Line
Heat Extras
One One 500 sq. ft. 800 sq. ft. One full Yes Does not require fossil fuel.
Electricity allowed because
it can be renewable (e.g., air
source heat pump)
No basement
and no
garage One Two 650 sq. ft. 900 sq. ft. One full Yes
One Three 800 sq. ft. 1,000 sq. ft. One & ½ No
6. The City is sponsoring a Just Big Enough‐Green Housing for ALL Design Competition,
www.northamptonma.gov/1834/Just‐Big‐Enough‐competition. Assuming that the City receives at
least ten competition entries:
a. The successful bidder must use an architect (not necessarily the competition winner) from the
design competition to design the homes and for key inspection points
b. The City will provide $45,000 in funding to fund the selected architect once the city sells Lot 4, 6,
and 8 (which is also owns)
c. There is no requirement to use any of the designs from the design competition
7. The successful bidder must be a nonprofit agency whose mission and experience includes affordable
housing development.
Disclosures and conditions
1. The special permit and site plan approval and the stormwater permit designs and conditions must be
followed at the successful bidders cost. This includes, but is not limited to, replacement of significant
trees and drainage improvements.
2. The affordable housing restriction shall be the standard MassDocs affordable housing agreement or
the DHCD “Local Initiative Program Affordable Housing Deed Rider for Projects in Which Affordability
Restrictions Survive Foreclosure,” modified to meet any requirements of the DHCD site eligibility
letter and any DHCD funding. The city will not be subordinate to any other mortgagee or entity
except for DHCD.
3. The successful bidder shall execute the attached contract within 30 days of the City’s award.
4. There are no prohibitions on the bidder requesting other City funds (CDBG or CPA) or any other
outside grants, but there is no commitment or suggestion of any kind that such funds will be made
available.
5. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
Bidder submittal to include, at a minimum, the completed Proposal Submittal Information (below)
1. With a narrative description providing an overview of the proposed project.
2. Rough estimated time schedule for developing the site.
3. Any affordable housing restrictions above the City’s minimum standard.
4. Developer experience with a list of completed same or similar projects.
5. Description of development team.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated by Northampton’s Director of Planning & Sustainability, with final approval
by its Chief Procurement Officer. In order of importance, proposals will be evaluated based on the
following:
1. Consistency with Proposed Program. Proposals will be evaluated based on the length of the
affordability term, creativity in allowing owner empowerment (while avoiding windfall profit), and
consistency with DHCD’s Local Initiative Program. The proposal addresses these goals in the most
creative manner, the greatest level of affordability, and the lowest net energy useage will receive
priority.
2. Past Development Experience and Track Record. Proposals will be evaluated based on the
experience with site development, residential construction, and affordable housing. The proposal
with a proven track record of successful projects similar to this one will receive priority.
3. Thoughtfulness of project implementation. Time‐table presented for site preparation, house
construction and site improvements will be evaluated. The proposal that presents a comprehensive
work plan with clear milestones and a completion strategy, not the shortest amount of time, will
receive priority.
Proposal Submittal Information
Include with Proposal
Three Dwelling Units at Burts Pit Road, Northampton
Burts Bog Limited Development
We ___________________________________________________________ (name of non‐profit entity)
Price Selection Criteria
We propose to purchase the three lots for (check one and complete):
_______ One Dollar ($1.00) OR
_______ _________ Dollars ($_____)
Request for Proposals
We have reviewed the Request for Proposals on the following pages and acknowledge that we will sign
this Purchase and Sale Agreement, with any blank sections completed, if our proposal is selected.
Attach additional page(s) to describe how your program, project, and agency meet the below
selection criteria:
1. Consistency with Proposed Program.
a. Include a narrative description of the proposed project and explain how does your program
address the program requirements described in the above RFP.
b. Explain if your affordable housing restrictions will exceed the City’s minimum standard (e.g.,
aim for a lower level of affordability than 80% AMI).
c. Explain if your energy performance exceeds the City’s minimum standard (e.g., include solar
PV with the house development to achieve net zero energy.
2. Past Development Experience and Track Record.
a. Include developer experience with a list of completed similar projects and explain how your
agency meets this criteria.
b. Include a description of your development team and their expertise and experience
3. Thoughtfulness of project implementation. Include a rough estimated timetable for developing the
site, including a comprehensive work plan with milestones and a completion strategy and describe
how your project meets this criteria.
Submitted:
Print name Sign name Organization Date
Purchase and Sale Agreement
Three Affordable Housing Lots, Burts Pit Road, Florence section, Northampton, MA
Section 1 – Information and Definitions
1.2.1 DATE of this Agreement: November _____, 2017
1.2 PREMISES: A parcel of land in Northampton, Massachusetts on Burts Pit Road,
containing 0.46 acres, comprised of the land described as “Lot 5,” and “Lot 7” as
shown on a survey prepared by Berkshire Design Heritage Surveys last updated
May 24, 2017 and entitled “Approval Not Required Plan of Land Located in
Northampton, Massachusetts, Prepared for The City of Northampton” and attached
hereto, as the survey may be revised to create three lots out of what is currently
Lots 5 and 7
1.3 SELLER: City of Northampton, attn.: Wayne Feiden
through its Office of Planning & Sustainability
Address: 210 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (413) 587-1265
Email: WFeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov
Seller's Attorney: Robert Spencer, Jankowski & Spencer
Address: 6 University Drive, #201, Amherst, MA 01002
1.4 BUYER:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Buyer's Attorney:
1.5 CLOSING DATE: February 28, 2018 or anytime date mutually agreed upon.
1.6 PLACE: Hampshire County Registry of Deeds, unless some other place
should be mutually agreed upon by the parties.
1.7 PURCHASE PRICE: The total purchase price for the Premises is One Dollar ($1.00).
1.8 TITLE: Quitclaim Deed(s).
1.9 BROKER: City: None
Buyer: None
1.10 WARRANTIES
Except as set forth otherwise in this Agreement, the following representations and
warranties are made by Seller as of the date of this Agreement and also as of the time of
the delivery of the deed: None
1.11 REPRESENATIONS (these are the ASSUMPTIONS of sale and deposits will be
refunded if assumptions prove to be incorrect):
A. The City can provide clear title to the land.
B. The City of Northampton obtained the required zoning special permit, site plan
approval, wetlands Determination of Applicability, and stormwater permits for two
building lots and is going to apply to revise these permits to create a total of three
lots.
C. The City has completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment that did not
identify any evidence of hazardous releases.
1.12 BUYER’S ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
A. The buyer will be responsible for removing any soil and limited asphalt piles on the
property.
B. The purchaser will be required to retain stormwater on-site in accordance with the
above referenced stormwater permit, as that permit may be revised to create an
additional lot
C. The purchaser will be required to comply with any other permit conditions, including
replacing and specimen trees cut either on site and/or off site.
D. Developing the common driveways (shown on the plans) and common driveway
covenant, as the driveways may be revised to create an additional lot.
E. The buyer hereby covenants not to appeal any permit for single family homes on the
other adjacent lots and for a multiuse trail on the adjacent conservation land.
SECTION 2 -- GENERAL PROVISIONS
2.1 Covenant. Seller agrees to sell and Buyer agrees to buy the Premises upon the terms
hereinafter set forth.
2.2 Buildings, Structures, Improvements, Fixtures. There are no improvements on the property.
Buyer acknowledges that the Premises is being sold in “as is” condition.
2.3 Title Deed. Said Premises are to be conveyed by a good and sufficient quitclaim deed
running to Buyer, or to a nominee designated by Buyer by written notice to Seller at least seven
calendar days before the deed is to be delivered as herein provided, and said deed shall convey a
good and clear record and marketable title thereto, free from encumbrances, except
(a) Provisions of existing building and zoning laws;
(b) Existing rights and obligations in party walls which are not the subject of written
agreement;
(c) Such taxes for the then current year as are not due and payable on the date of the delivery
of such deed;
(d) Any liens for municipal betterments assessed after the date of this Agreement; and
(e) Easements, restrictions and reservations of record, if any, provided the same do not
interfere with use of and access to the Premises.
2.4 Deed and Plans; Seller shall be responsible for drafting the deed.
2.5 Registered Title. The title to this property is not Registered.
2.6 Possession and Control of Premises. Full possession of said Premises free of all tenants and
occupants, except as herein provided, is to be delivered at the time of the delivery of the deed,
said Premises to be then (a) in the same condition as they now are, reasonable use and wear
thereof excepted, and (b) in compliance with provisions of any instrument referred to in clause
2.3 hereof. Buyer shall be entitled personally to inspect said Premises prior to the delivery of the
deed in order to determine whether the condition thereof complies with the terms of this clause.
2.7 Extension to Perfect Title or Make Premises Conform. If Seller shall be unable to give title
or to make conveyance, or to deliver possession of the Premises, all as herein stipulated, or if at
the time of the delivery of the deed the Premises do not conform with the provisions hereof, then
Seller shall use reasonable efforts to remove any defects in title, or to deliver possession as
provided herein, or to make the said Premises conform to the provisions hereof, as the case may
be, and thereupon the time for performance hereof shall be extended for a period of thirty
calendar days.
2.8 Failure to Perfect Title or Make Premises Conform. If at the expiration of the extended time
Seller shall have failed so to remove any defects in title, deliver possession, or make the
Premises conform, as the case may be, all as herein agreed, or if at any time during the period of
this Agreement or any extension thereof, the holder of a mortgage on said Premises shall refuse
to permit the insurance proceeds, if any, to be used for such purposes, then all obligations of the
parties shall cease and this Agreement shall be void without recourse to the parties hereto,
provided however that all deposits made by Buyer under this Agreement shall be refunded to
Buyer, which obligation shall survive the termination of this Agreement. The Buyer
acknowledges that the city may use eminent domain to clean any defective title and waives any
objections to such actions.
2.9 Buyer’s Election to Accept Title. Buyer shall have the election, at either the original or any
extended time for performance, to accept such title as Seller can deliver to the said Premises in
their then condition and to pay therefore the purchase price, without deduction, in which case
Seller shall convey such title, except that in the event of such conveyance in accord with the
provisions of this clause, if the said Premises shall have been damaged by fire or casualty insured
against, then Seller shall, unless Seller has previously restored the Premises to their former
condition, either
(a) pay over or assign to Buyer, on delivery of the deed, all amounts recovered or
recoverable on account of such insurance, less any amounts reasonably expended by
Seller for any partial restoration, or
(b) if a holder of a mortgage on said Premises shall not permit the insurance proceeds or a
part thereof to be used to restore the said Premises to their former condition or to be so
paid over or assigned, give to Buyer a credit against the purchase price, on delivery of
the deed, equal to said amounts so recovered or recoverable and retained by the holder
of the said mortgage less any amount reasonably expended by Seller for any partial
restoration.
2.10 Acceptance of Deed. The acceptance of a deed by Buyer, or its assignee or nominee as
the case may be, shall be deemed to be a full performance and discharge of every agreement and
obligation herein contained or expressed, except such as are, by the terms hereof, to be
performed after the delivery of said deed.
2.11 Use of Money to Clear Title. To enable Seller to make conveyance as herein provided,
Seller may, at the time of delivery of this deed, use the purchase money or any portion thereof to
clear the title of any or all encumbrances or interests, provided that all instruments so procured
are recorded simultaneously with the deed or, for institutional mortgages, are recorded in
accordance with customary conveyancing practices.
2.12 Adjustments. Taxes for the then current fiscal year shall be adjusted in accordance with
G.L. c. 59, § 72A. If the amount of said taxes is not known at the time of the delivery of the
deed, they shall be apportioned on the basis of the taxes assessed for the preceding fiscal year.
2.13 Brokers. No brokers are being used for this transaction.
2.14 Inspection Rights. The parties agree that Buyer shall have the right to obtain, at Buyer's
expense, an inspection of the premises by a consultant of Buyer's during the bid period. In
consideration of right of inspection and rescission, Seller is hereby released from liability
relating to defects in the premises actually disclosed or about which Seller had no actual
knowledge.
2.15 Water/Sewer, ledge, permitting. Seller makes no representations.
2.16 Hazardous Materials, Lead, Asbestos, and Oil. Seller represents and warrants to Buyer
that, to the best of Seller’s knowledge, information and belief, (i) there has been no release of
any hazardous materials or oil on, from or near the Premises, except as noted above, (as used in
this Agreement, the terms "release," "hazardous materials" and "oil" shall have the meaning
given to them in M.G.L.c.21E), (ii) there are no underground storage tanks or other subsurface
facilities holding petroleum or oil products currently in use or previously abandoned on the
Premises and (iii) chlordane has not been used as a pesticide on the Premises. These
representations and warranties shall survive the closing.
2.17 Financing Contingency. Seller’s obligation to purchase is contingent upon the Seller
being able to close on the property under the terms of its Option prior to closing. Seller shall use
reasonable efforts to obtain firm commitment of such closing and shall notify the Seller’s
attorney if Seller is unable close.
2.18 Title to Premises. Notwithstanding anything herein contained, the Premises shall not be
considered to be in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement with respect to title unless:
(a) No building, structure, or right of way, easement or improvement, including any
driveway(s), garages, septic systems and wells or property of any kind encroaches
upon or under the Premises from other premises;
(b) Title to the Premises is insurable, for the benefit of Buyer, by a title insurance
company acceptable to Buyer, in a fee owner's policy of title insurance at normal
premium rates, in the American Land Title Association form currently in use;
(c) All structures and improvements on the Premises, including any driveway(s)
garage(s), septic systems and wells and all means of access to the Premises shall not
encroach upon or under any property not within the lot lines of the Premises;
(d) The Premises abut a public way, or have the benefit of an access and utility
easement over a private way leading to a public way, duly laid out or accepted as
such by the municipality in which the Premises are located.
2.19 Affidavits, etc. Simultaneously with the delivery of the deed, Seller shall execute and
deliver: (a) affidavits and indemnities under oath with respect to parties in possession and
mechanic's liens to induce Buyer’s title insurance company to issue lender's and owner's policies
of title insurance without exception for those matters, and Seller shall indemnify and hold
harmless the title insurance company for any losses, costs, or damages sustained as a result of
issuing a policy without exceptions covered by such representations; (b) an affidavit, satisfying
the requirements of Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations issued
thereunder, which states, under penalty of perjury, Seller’s United States taxpayer identification
number, that Seller is not a foreign person, and Seller’s address (the "1445 Affidavit"); (c)
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or Form W-9, as applicable, with Seller’s tax identification
number, and an affidavit furnishing the information required for the filing of Form 1099S with
the Internal Revenue Services and stating Seller is not subject to back-up withholding; and (d)
such additional and further instruments and documents as may be consistent with this Agreement
and customarily and reasonably required by Buyer and/or the Buyer’s title insurance company to
complete the transactions described in this Agreement.
2.20 Title Standards. Any matter or practice arising under or relating to this Agreement which
is the subject of a title standard or a practice standard of the Real Estate Bar Association at the
time for delivery of the deed shall be covered by said title standard or practice standard to the
extent applicable.
2.21 Deposit. A ten percent deposit shall be made by the Buyer as part of its bid submittal and
an additional 10% deposit within 30 days of the City’s acceptance of the Buyer’s bid. The
Deposit shall be held by the City or its attorney. The Deposit shall be duly accounted for at the
time of performance of this agreement or otherwise by the agreement of the parties or by order of
a court of competent jurisdiction.
2.22 Buyer’s Breach. If Buyer shall unjustifiably fail to fulfill Buyer’s part of this Agreement,
all deposits made hereunder, if any, shall be forfeited and become the property of Seller as
liquidated damages, which shall constitute Seller’s sole and exclusive remedy at law or in equity
for Buyer’s default under this Agreement.
2.23 Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in
writing and signed by the party or the party's attorney or agent and shall be deemed to have been
given: (a) when delivered by hand, or (b) when sent by Federal Express or other similar courier
service, or (c) when mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or (d) upon electronically
confirmed receipt of facsimile delivery (provided that such facsimile delivery is promptly
followed by one of the other permitted forms of notice contained herein), to the party with a copy
to the party’s attorney at the addresses set forth in Section 1.
2.24 Closing. The deed and other documents required by this Agreement are to be delivered
and the Purchase Price paid at the Date and Time of Closing and at the Place of Closing. All
documents and funds are to be delivered in escrow subject to prompt rundown of title and
recording, which term shall include registration in the case of registered land. Seller’s proceeds
may be in the form of an IOLTA check, and the check shall be held in escrow by Seller’s
attorney who shall release the check to Seller only following the recording of the deed.
2.25 Condition of Premises at Closing. Seller agrees to deliver the Premises at the time of
delivery of Seller’s deed in a condition substantially similar to its condition at the time of the
signing of this Agreement.
2.26 Casualty. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of damage to or
destruction of the Premises by fire, vandalism or other casualty, then at Buyer’s sole option, this
Agreement may be terminated, whereupon all deposits paid by Buyer hereunder shall be
promptly returned to Buyer.
2.27 Liability of Trustee, Shareholder, Fiduciary, etc. If Seller or Buyer executes this
Agreement in a representative or fiduciary capacity, only the principal or the estate represented
shall be bound, and neither Seller or Buyer so executing, nor any shareholder or beneficiary of
any trust, shall be personally liable for any obligation, express or implied, hereunder.
2.28 Extensions. Buyer and Seller hereby authorize their respective attorneys (as the case may
be) to execute on their behalf any extensions to the time for performance and any change of
location and/or time for delivery of the deed. Buyer and Seller shall be able to rely upon the
signature of said attorneys as binding unless they have actual knowledge before the execution or
other consent to such extensions, that either party has disclaimed the authority granted herein to
bind them. For purposes of this Agreement, facsimile signatures shall be construed as original.
2.29 Construction of Agreement. This instrument, executed in multiple counterparts, is to be
construed as a Massachusetts contract, is to take effect as a sealed instrument, sets forth the
entire contract between the parties, is binding upon and inures to the benefit of the parties hereto
and their respective heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and may
be canceled, modified or amended only by a written instrument executed by both Seller and
Buyer. If two or more persons are named herein as Buyer their obligations hereunder shall be
joint and several.
2.30 Incorporation; Conflict. All terms of the Request for Proposals and the Buyer’s Proposal
are hereby made a part of this Agreement and are incorporated herein by reference. In the event
of conflicting or inconsistent provisions, the terms of the Request for Proposals and the Buyer’s
Proposal shall control.
2.31 Captions. The captions and headings throughout this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and the words contained therein shall in no way be held or deemed to define,
limit, explain, modify, amplify or add to the interpretation, construction or meaning of any
provisions of, or the scope or intent of this Agreement, nor in any way affect this Agreement, and
shall have no legal effect.
In Witness whereof, the parties hereto sign this Agreement under seal as of this ___th day of
_______________, 2017.
Buyer:
Attached evidence that the signatory is authorized to sign for the corporation
Seller:
Mayor David J. Narkiewicz
Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning & Sustainability
Joseph M. Cook, Chief Procurement Officer
Joyce Karpinski, Auditor