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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAffordable Housing Board - Minutes - 09/04/1997CITY OF FORT COLLINS AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD Meeting Minutes September 4, 1997 Bob Browning, Chair Joanne Greer, Vice Chair The meeting of the Affordable Housing Board began at 4:00 p.m., at 281 North College Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. Board members present included: Chairman Bob Browning, Bruce Croissant, Sylvie Glass, Joanne Greer, Mike Nicely, Stacy Overton, Kay Rios, Sue Wagner and Terry Wahl. Staff members present: Ken Waido and Timothy Wilder. Mr. Browning opened up the meeting to public discussion. The first speaker was Douglas Cran, representative of CARE Housing. He thanked Timothy Wilder for all the information they had received regarding density issues related to affordable housing development in LMN zones, and indicated CARE supports Option 3. CARE wishes to see the density in the LMN zones increase to 13 or 14 units to the acre. CARE feels the flexibility of that would make more sites available to develop and therefore provide the needed housing. Mr. Browning questioned how many sites Mr. Cran thought were available to pull off the 13 or 14 units. Since Mr. Cran had not had a chance to do an inventory, he was unable to provide an answer. There were no other public comments. Approval of the Minutes Ms. Rios made a correction to the minutes. She noted she had abstained from voting. Moved by Mr. Croissant, seconded by Ms. Overton: To approve the minutes of the August 7, 1997, Affordable Housing Board meeting. Motion approved unanimously. Election of Vice Chair Nominations or volunteers for Vice Chair were entertained. Ms. Greer volunteered to fill the position of Vice Chair. Moved by Mr. Browning, seconded by Ms. Glass: Ms. Greer was elected Vice Chair for the next term. Comments to City Council on Preliminary Budget Three different drafts were prepared. Mr. Waido and Mr. Browning will work off Mr. Affordable Housing Board meeting September 4, 1997 Page 2 Waido's draft and create a final version to go to Council. Comments to City Council of 1997-99 Policy Agenda The Board agreed to keep this item open for another meeting. Status Report on New Housing Planner Mr. Waido reported eight or nine phone interviews have been conducted by Joe Frank and Jackie Davis. Four or five applicants will be invited for a personal interview in an approximate two week time frame. By early October, they hope to have a replacement for Dickson Robin. If none of these candidates work out, they will go further down the list or readvertise. Ms. Rios questioned how the interviewing procedure was conducted, and who was actually involved. Mr. Waido explained the process. Ms. Overton and Ms. Rios both volunteered to be involved in the interviewing procedure. Impact Fee Rebate Program - Change to Rebate Schedule Mr. Waido noted that these changes would probably not take place until a new planner is hired. He explained that in the spring, staff did bring proposed changes to the rebate schedule, changing it from a fixed dollar amount to a percentage of fees paid. It has not yet gone to Council. Impact Fee Program - How to Assure that the Rebate Affects the Rents/Purchase Prices Mr. Waido stated there is no method of determining that the Rebate Program actually affects the rents or purchase price of units. Another issue is that the Rebate Program is based on the assumption that somebody pulling the permit pays all the fees to the City. The policy issue is: Are they still eligible for the full amount of rebate, or should there be some sort of reduction of their fees? These numbers have not been crunched; however, Mr. Waido will get this information to Mr. Browning to review. Larimer Home Improvement Program (LHIP) Two representatives of LHIP were in attendance and a presentation was made to the Board accompanied by handouts. They explained the criteria for LHIP and relayed their request for $22,500. Mr. Browning noted the Board has supported this program for the past three years and the $22,500 would come out of the affordable housing fund. Moved by Mr. Croissant, seconded by Ms. Glass: To grant the request to LHIP for $22,500. Motion approved unanimously. City Plan Items - LUCAC Affordable Housing Board meeting September 4, 1997 Page 3 Mr. Vosburg of the Land Use Code Advisory Committee was unable to attend. Mr. Waido provided further explanation of Mr. Vosburg's August 28th memorandum showing the various key dates and topics that are going to be covered, making adjustments to the Land Use Code that was developed in March for the City Plan. The next major revision is scheduled to go to Council in November. Most of the work will be done in October. City Plan Items - Density Bonuses for Affordable Housing Projects in LMN Zone Mr. Wilder gave an overview of his August 28th memorandum. He has had several meetings with CARE and the Fort Collins Housing Authority to discuss this density issue. Their thoughts are essentially that the LMN district, which is a mixed use/low density district created with the Land Use Code, would not allow the type of projects that these affordable housing developers would like to see. The main reason is the limitation in LMN districts is eight units per acre. He also discussed the smaller parcels of land infill areas and the parcels outside the Infill Development Area. He explained the various options that were recommended by Staff. Ms. Wagner and Ms. Rios both expressed concern in that increasing the density and taking away the parking was self-defeating. Mr. Waido described what the parking standards are based on. Both Mr. Waido and Mr. Wilder agreed parking would be increased with the density increase, and that particular proposal does not affect the parking either way. It maintains the parking ratio. A public hearing will take place, and it was suggested the Board send a representative. November 6 will be the first public hearing on all the changes, and the hearing will continue on the 18th. Mr. Browning asked the Board if they would like more time to study this density issue, and the Board agreed. This will be put on the Board's agenda for October. It was also noted it would be a good idea to draft a letter to Council stating the Board's issues and concerns; however, it will also be essential to have a representative present. TRAC Update Mr. Waido gave a brief rundown on the TRAC project, commonly known as the Parkway Townhomes project. The project is built and has been occupied since February or March. It is not closed in terms of ownership. People are living there without making payments. Mr. Waido introduced John Barnett, new Executive Director of TRAC, who continued the discussion of the TRAC update. He explained part of the problem was that necessary documents had not been prepared, and that deadlines were also missed, but that TRAC is working hard to get things straightened out. Affordable Housing Board meeting September 4, 1997 Page 4 TRAC is starting to collect some back rents on several of the units. They also brought in Fort Collins Mortgage to help prepare the loan documents. He noted two people have elected to move out. Discussion ensued involving who would move into the unoccupied units. Mr. Barnett also discussed the price of the units. Further discussion took place on why those people were not making payments and Mr. Barnett confirmed the problems TRAC encountered with this project would never happen again. The Board further discussed percentage of income to housing fees. Mr. Waido confirmed that home ownership projects are 38 percent, a decision that the Affordable Housing Board made several years ago, and that 30 percent is for rentals. Mr. Browning reiterated the importance of the Board needing at least a concensus on the density issue. The meeting concluded at 5:00 p.m.