Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Affordable Housing Committee - 12/15/2020December 15, 2020, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 1 Approved on January 5, 2021 Next meeting: Tuesday, January 19, 2020, 10:30 a.m., online, agenda and link sent separately AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE December 15, 2020, 2020, 10:30 a.m., meeting held online Members attending (online): Leslie Black-Plumeau. Vince Bolduc, Sandy Dooley, Patrick O’Brien, Mike Simoneau, John Simson, and Chris Trombly Others: Monica Ostby, PC liaison; Paul Conner, SoBu Director of Planning & Zoning; Guests: Dan Albrecht, John Burton, and April Jensen-Vargas, all SoBu residents. AGENDA 1. Call to order, agenda review, public comment, approval of minutes (12/1/20), announcements, Chair’s Comments 2. Update on Book discussion group “The Color of Law” 3. Consider and possibly issue statement regarding the Eastview presentation from O’Brien Brothers 12/1/20 presentation 4. 5. Update on ADU state law and impact to SB – Paul Conner 5. 6. Update from Southeast Quadrant Housing Subcommittee 6. 7. City Newsletter and Other Paper Columns 7. Update on changing our committee name and preamble - deleted under agenda review 8. 4. Discuss 575 Dorset Street opportunity – moved to become #4 under agenda review 9. 8. Adjourn 1, Call to order, agenda review, public comment, approval of Minutes (12/1/20), announcements, Chair’s Comments: Chris called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. During agenda review Sandy proposed that agenda item 7 be deleted as there is nothing to report (follow-up on this task will take place in 2021) and that item 8 become item 4 as it requires committee action (and, thus, best not to leave until end of meeting) and that subsequent agenda items be renumbered accordingly. Motion: Mike moved and Sandy seconded motion to modify the agenda consistent with Sandy’s proposals. Motion approved: 7-0-0. Public Comment: Chris then welcomed guests and invited them to comment. Dan’s comments referenced a recent email he had send to Paul. He asked Paul whether the social implications of changes being considered by the Planning Commission (PC) have been explored and shared with PC. Paul responded that social implications are difficult to identify and measure; still staff has had discussions on this topic. Vince asked that Dan’s email be shared with all committee members. Mike thanked Dan for staying engaged in and examining the work coming from Interim Zoning. In response to Chris’ inquiry, what is your focus: Dan stated his desire for SoBu to be a welcoming community; support for dense development were City services are present; and opposition to regulations that would allow one neighborhood to exclude future development and, as a result, push it into other neighborhoods. Minutes: Mike moved and Patrick seconded motion to approve minutes as drafted. Motion approved: 7-0-0. Announcements: Patrick O’Brien noted that S.D. Ireland will be going to the DRB for approval to construct additional housing at South Village and affordable units are included in their application. Sandy shared that staff of CVOEO’s Fair Housing Project had asked her to provide comments for an article they will publish on their Thriving Communities social media platforms. The article’s focus is the recent sale of two SEQ lots that were part of the Dorset Meadows (DM) development application and the restrictive covenants placed on these lots and the remaining lot included in the DM application. This request prompted Sandy to write a commentary on this subject titled, What is a thriving community?, which she submitted to VTDigger; she will submit a December 15, 2020, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 2 slightly modified version of the same commentary to The Other Paper (TOP), for publication in their 12/24/20 issue. Others present commented that we need to continue to find ways to communicate SoBu’s story. Folks are especially concerned about many SEQ residents’ desire to prohibit future development there, thus, continuing its status as a primarily high income neighborhood. Vince added his dismay relative to the letter to the editor in TOP from SBLT board members focusing on their efforts vis-à-vis restricting development in the SEQ. Ariel (guest) added that none of this is new, issues same are present elsewhere, many changes in housing market. Chair’s Comments: Chris took this time to recognize, honor and thank John Simson for his work as chair of the Affordable Housing Committee since its inception in 2016 and prior work related to affordable housing in SoBu. Sandy added examples of John’s leadership and what a privilege it has been to work with John on these various committees. All present affirmed Chris and Sandy’s words of praise and appreciation for John’s service. 2. Update on Book discussion group “The Color of Law”: John reported that the book discussion group will take place online on 2/2 and 2/16/21 at 6:30 p.m. Facilitator will be Jessica Hyman, director of CVOEO’s Fair Housing Project. SoBu Library has copies of books available for members to borrow. Group size is 12-15 participants. Jessica likely to use breakout groups to promote more discussion. The Fair Housing Project is likely to host a webinar on the book and related topics once discussion group is completed. Vince indicated that there are many online aids focusing on this book for folks that do not have time or inclination to read the book. Monica said it is easy to listen to audio version of book. 3. Consider and possibly issue statement regarding the Eastview presentation from O’Brien Brothers 12/1/20 presentation: Those present discussed various aspects of this project. Paul noted that staff may recommend modifications to the application that would result in constructing additional housing units and different placement of buildings on the land being developed. He reported that staff had encouraged the developer to consider additional variety in block layouts and housing types (including cottage courts), and to distribute the inclusionary units more broadly as they are were presently only in the middle units of triplexes in one block area. Committee members agreed to support developer’s application vis-à-vis compliance with Inclusionary zoning rules and concurrence with the committee’s goals and, at same time, make clear that this endorsement does not relate to other aspects of the application that may benefit from modification. Motion: Mike moved and John seconded motion that committee commend the O’Brien Brothers for their approach to incorporating inclusionary units in its permit application for the Eastview component of its Hillside Master Plan and applaud the fact that homeownership constitutes the entirety of the Eastview component; while simultaneously encouraging them to give serious consideration to Planning and Zoning staff’s input regarding additional variety in block layouts and housing types, and broader distribution of the inclusionary units. Motion approved: 6-0-1. Patrick abstained from discussion and vote as he has a financial interest in the O’Brien Brothers company. 4. Discuss 575 Dorset Street opportunity: Kevin Dorn (City Manager) requested committee input relative to his proposal to explore subdivision of the City’s parcel that includes City Hall and the Fire Department, noting that with completion of Community Center in City Center, City Hall will move and the School District will lease current City Hall space for its administrative functions. The subdivision would affect about one-half acre behind City Hall and Fire Department building; this land shares a boundary with Dorset Commons apartment complex owned by Champlain Housing Trust (CHT). The idea is that CHT might lease the subdivided parcel from the City and build affordable housing there, which would be accessed through its Dorset Commons complex. The goal would be to complete the subdivision before the School District moves in, should the land be suitable for housing. Patrick cautioned that the suitability for housing should be fully explored, noting stormwater requirements being a factor, before going to the expense of subdivision, noting a situation in Shelburne where that had not be done before subdivision. Monica asked if it would be spot zoning. Since City would continue to own the property, it is not clear if a zoning change would be needed. Motion: Leslie moved and Vince December 15, 2020, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 3 seconded motion that committee support subdivision of City Hall/Fire Department parcel to enable use of this land for development of affordable housing, should it be determined beforehand that land is suitable for housing. Motion approved: 7-0-0. 5. Update on ADU state law and impact to SB – Paul Conner: Paul summarized changes to State ADU law. There is need for clarification regarding how City has been applying the “up to five (5) feet from the property line” rule relative to ADUs (accessory dwelling units) and Accessory Structures. New law requires its provisions to apply only to ADUs that otherwise meet requirements for a primary dwelling unit. A primary dwelling unit may not be constructed up to five feet from the property line. City must choose how to apply new law to these situations. The new changes in the law provide considerable flexibility for homeowner who wants to add a second dwelling, whether as part of the primary dwelling unit or in a separate structure. These changes are supportive of more infill development with the important underlying principles that owner must own entire property and must occupy either the primary dwelling unit or the ADU. Leslie indicated SoBu can do more to promote ADUs, mentioning an initiative in Montpelier. Leslie asked Paul for advice on the how to implement the new provisions. Paul replied that he has not yet formulated a recommendation and would return to committee in January with his advice. 6. Update from Southeast Quadrant Housing Subcommittee: Vince, Patrick, and Sandy met with Paul on December 10th. The task is to propose recommendations regarding how SEQ land available for development and adjacent to preserved land should be zoned—in particular what housing types and what level of density should the regulations allow/require? Subcommittee homework is to get up to speed on draft PUD regulations the PC is working on. Paul will send subcommittee members materials to read and group will reconvene in January. Some committee members were under impression, based on prior meeting’s discussion of this assignment that work is to focus on a subsection of the SEQ and not the entire SEQ. Sandy indicated she had been under this impression, also, but scope has been clarified by Paul and Monica. Leslie indicated need to clarify how goals of Interim Zoning apply to future development in SEQ. John Burton expressed support for articulating a vision for future development in SEQ. He is a member of SoBu Economic Development committee and willing to serve as liaison between the two committees. Committee members encouraged John to discuss this with Economic Development committee. 7. City Newsletter and Other Paper Columns: Chris shared that he had a conversation with Avalon Styles- Ashley who is with TOP and is interested in attending committee meetings. Chris encouraged him to do so. Mike is reaching out to City residents about potential effects on development of new housing of draft land development regulations under consideration. He hopes that some will write a Letter to the Editor at TOP. Leslie proposed revisiting this subject at a future meeting as not enough time left for discussion and planning. 8. Adjourn: At 12:33 p.m. Leslie moved and Mike seconded motion to adjourn meeting. Motion approved: 7-0-0.