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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 11/05/1998CITY OF FORT COLLINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD Meeting Minutes November 5, 1998 Kay Rios, Vice Chair Ken Waido, Staff Liaison Chuck Wanner, City Council Liaison The meeting of the Affordable Housing Board was called to order by Vice Chair Kay Rios, beginning at 4:00 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Board members present included: Kay Rios, David Danforth, Isabel Garity, Joanne Greer, Stacy Overton, and Mickey Willis. Staff present: Ken Waido and Ann Watts. City Council Liaison present: Chuck Wanner. Others present: Joe Frank, Greg Byrne, Krista Moberly, Grace Harris, Lou Stitzel, and Betty Malone. Public Discussion Ms. Stitzel announced that U.S. Bank will be hosting an affordable housing forum on Wednesday, December 9, 1998, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ms. Stitzel requested that mailing lists of Council, Staff, and the Board be provided to the forum planners, particularly Richard Novaria, to ensure a successful meeting and discussion. Ms. Stitzel next spoke concerning the truck route bypass proposal for north Fort Collins. She stated that the planned route will result in demolition of existing affordable housing stock and inveighed against the proposal. She reviewed past developments in Fort Collins that had resulted in eliminating affordable housing stock and stated that the City must bear the cost of replacing those units. She noted flood insurance premiums being paid by low-income families and the impact of improving Lemay past affordable housing developments. Ms. Stitzel stated that development of quality neighborhoods should not be done on the backs of low-income neighborhoods. If improved transportation is budgeted, then a concomitant budget should be made to provide equal or better housing than that which is eliminated. Ms. Stitzel expressed pleasure at the work that was presented by Ann Watts and the Planning Staff at the work session on affordable housing. Ms. Stitzel advocated a comprehensive look at the entire continuum of housing supply, without creating competition between rental and home ownership. She stated that if long-range planning is not done, there will come a time when only monied people can own land and housing. Ms. Stitzel noted the shortage of buildable land and encouraged the exploration of land banking ideas and establishment of permanently affordable housing. She stated that Europe has been working with this concept for two centuries in order to assure the possibility of home ownership for lower -income people. Affordable Housing Board Meeting of November 5, 1998 Page 2 In response to questions by the Board, Staff can provide information on what affordable housing may be lost as a result of proposed development. Old Business Update on affordable housing program revisions: Ms. Watts has submitted the Board - approved changes for hearing by P&Z on November 19 and by Council on its first December meeting. Update on changes to the development impact fee offset program: Mr. Waido reported that the changed recommended by the Board would result in significant financial impact to the City. Staff, in working with the City Manager and Council, wants to be sure that the basis and extent of the impact is clearly set forth for Council to review. The total impact is approximately $1 million per year, based on projections of 230 units per year average, at perhaps $8,000 per unit. The program could be defined to meet as much need as possible to do so. In response to questions by the Board, Mr. Waido stated that the program carries no guarantee of funding. He reviewed the graduation of the offsets based on the AMI population served. This is to provide more incentive for builders to develop units at lower AMI levels. Staff cannot be sure that the developers will respond to this incentive. Concern was expressed over the amount of funding available to make the program practical. It was stated that the housing goal is set by Council; the Board proposed a program to address the goal; and Council can determine how far the program can be taken to try to achieve the goal. Council wants to know the long-range analysis of the program. Adjustments can be made, e.g., capping the funding, limiting applicants, or limiting offsets. Staff will meet with the City Manager in the next week; go to the Council Finance Committee on November 19; and then bring the proposal to Council in December. It is important for Council to know all the impacts to the program, how it interrelates with other City issues, and all the options that may be available to address concerns raised by the program. Mr. Wanner addressed the timing of the proposal and explained its speed of process in relation to other issues which intertwine and are facing Council. Council is attempting to develop a comprehensive housing strategy that crosses over many policy strata. However, time for this Council is limited. Many analyses and decisions must be made in that short time to ensure that all needed programs are properly in place before the end of their term Discussion was held on whether Council decisions should be expedited with this Council now in place or whether the program would have sufficient merit and and be Affordable Housing Board • Meeting of November 5, 19919 Page 3 salable for any Council. The decisions made by Council will be presented to the Board for its review and commentary. Council members whose terms will be finishing in April are Mr. Wanner, Ann Azari, Chris Kneeland, and Will Smith. Parkway Townhomes update: The project has not closed. Public Awareness Subcommittee report. Discussion was held concerning the Web site. The Web site can be accessed through the City's Web site, through community planning, and then affordable housing. The Web site could include a survey for people to enter ideas on the spectrum of issues within affordable housing. New Business Approval of minutes. Ms. Rios questioned the phrase "commercial follows rooftops." Ms. Wafts explained that phrase. Moved by Mr. Willis, seconded by Ms. Overton: To approve the minutes of the October 8, meeting. Motion approved unanimously. October 27, 1998 City Council study session. Ms. Rios expressed some dissatisfaction with her presentation to Council, particular in regards to questions of philosophy of City roles. Ms. Rios inquired of the desirability of having a solidified statement of roles. Discussion was held whether that statement was contained in other documents. Those references can be pulled for the Board's review. Ms. Watts reviewed the proposed time line for Council to adopt affordable housing goals and strategies. Originally, it was planned for the end of the year; however, mailing times, public review, and further staff review would seem to make a January time frame more likely. Ms. Wafts has targeted a set of people and groups to receive all or part of the study. Discussion was held concerning extra Board meetings to ensure comprehensive participation in the final document. November 19 and December 17 will be special meetings, devoted to document review. It was decided to review the item of "Elimination of the Offset Program" in the context of a complete review of all issues. It would be desirable to have a Board member on the Land Banking Committee. Mr. Willis was drafted for the role, and accepted, on the condition that Mr. Browning does not wish to fill the role. The Committee is reviewing the availability of grant money for various aspects. The original team will be attending a day -long seminar on relevant issues. The next meetings will probably ensue in December or January. Ms. Rios commented on Board -Staff relationships. In two meetings with Council, Board members have felt unprepared either because materials were not available to be Affordable Housing Board Meeting of November 5, 1998 Page 4 reviewed or not received in time to allow for proper review. Ms. Rios asked for a definition of the role of the Board in its advisory status. Ms. Greer noted the retreat that had been held several years before and its value in helping to define roles and facilitate relationships. Comment was made that the role of Board and Council was in question as well as the role of Board and Staff. Agreement was reached that a retreat would be worthwhile to discuss relationships, policies, and strategic planning. A retreat was tentatively discussed for January in the Greyrock Commons building. Manufactured housing discussion. Mr. Danforth reviewed the Board vote to not recommend down payment assistance for homes not placed on a permanent foundation. Discussion was held concerning investigating whether it would be appropriate to include manufactured housing not on permanent foundations for down payment assistance. Mr. Waido noted that manufactured housing is allowed wherever a single-family house is allowed; however, for a structure to be considered a single-family home, it must be on a permanent foundation.. Mr. Danforth asked for input on the viability of this particular product in general. Cost of land is a bigger deterrent than regulations or planning processes. Discussion was held concerning acquiring land within easy commuting distance of Fort Collins. Mr. Waido noted that a number of the mobile home parks now in the city were originally constructed outside of city limits. Transportation issues are a problem in that scenario. The Board discussed scheduling a visit to the manufactured housing plant. Northwood Apartments Update: Little information is available. The owners must comply with subsidy requirements until June of 1999. No sale is contemplated until at least that point. Senior Attainable Housing Committee Report County Commissioners and their staff will be producing a statement that will define the County's role. Commissioner Disney wishes to broaden the County's role and build on intergovernmental relationships such as those that exist on transportation issues. Recommendations will be sought and drafted. The Board will have an opportunity to make recommendations to the Commissioners. An overview of the housing situation over the entire county is a hoped -for result of these efforts. Mr. Frank related that regional managers meet on a regular basis to promote cooperative efforts. Ms. Watts noted an upcoming study session with the Commissioners on November 16th that Board members could attend. Mr. Danforth noted rural areas have access to affordable mortgages from USDA Rural Development and questioned whether that strategy could be pursued. Ms. Overton offered to compile information on all home ownership assistance programs that she was aware of for Larimer and Weld counties. Affordable Housing Board • Meeting of November 5, 1998 Page 5 Other Business • Ms. Garity brought up the issue of deteriorating residential areas. Mr. Waido noted participation in the Larimer Home Improvement Program. It might be desirable to have home buyers purchase properties in potentially distressed neighborhoods; a housing investor may be less motivated to spend time, energy, and money on upkeep and renovation. Mr. Willis queried whether Staff could meet with a group of developers who are attempting to promote affordable housing in Boulder. Ms. Watts would be able to meet and invited Board members to attend as well. Upon questioning concerning the Housing Authority, Mr. Waido informed the Board that Council passed an ordinance removing the board of directors; Council is now the board, and the City Manager is the interim executive director. Ms. Watts informed the Board that the Greenbriar meeting was postponed to either the 14th or 21 st. Upon motion, second, and unanimous vote, the meeting concluded at 5:55 p.m.