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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Affordable Housing Committee - 12/03/2019December 3, 2019, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 1 Approved on January 7, 2020 AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE December 3, 2019, 10:00 a.m., City Hall, Champlain Room Members attending: Tom Bailey, Leslie Black-Plumeau (left 11:17 a.m.), Paula DeMichele, Sandy Dooley, Michael Simoneau, and John Simson Members absent: Todd Rawlings Guests: Paul Conner, SoBu Dir. of Planning & Zoning; Regina Mahony, CCRPC; Monica Ostby, PC liaison; and Patrick O’Brien & Robin Jeffers, S.D. Ireland Company, AGENDA 1. Call to order, emergency procedure, agenda review, comments from guests 2. Review and approval of minutes of 10/22/19 and 11/26/19 committee meetings 3. Chair’s Comments: 4. Review revised Inclusionary Zoning draft prepared by Regina Mahony 5. Vote on changes to draft resulting from review 6. (if time) Update on housing land priority identification project work 7. (if time) Review 2020 Work Plan to schedule Committee work 8. (if time) Reports and updates by committee members 9. Adjourn 1. Call to order, emergency procedure, agenda review, comments from guests: John called meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. John reviewed the exit procedures. John welcomed our guests. There were no public comments. 2. Review and approval of minutes of 10/22/19 and 11/26/19 committee meetings: Tom moved and Mike seconded motion to approve the minutes of the10/22/19 meeting, as corrected, and the 11/26/19 meeting, as drafted. Motion passed (6-0-0). Tom proposed that the “Bike Rack” be removed from the meeting minutes as they have not functioned as part of the meeting for some time. Members present agreed to remove the “Bike Rack” from the meeting minutes effective with the 12/3/19 meeting minutes. 3. Chair’s Comments: John encourages members and others present to attend the Planning Commission meeting December 10th, at which the Public Hearing on the proposed regulations on the expansion and modification of the City’s Inclusionary Zoning rules would take place. He also encouraged those present to reach out to other City residents and encourage them to attend and support the proposed Inclusionary Zoning regulations. John added that he expects that the Economic Development Committee or John Wilking, its chair, will submit a statement to the Planning Commission or attend the Public Hearing and convey their support for the Inclusionary Zoning rule changes. Sandy volunteered to contact residents and encourage them to attend. Leslie stressed the importance of articulating the advantages that result from these changes. John noted that the committee needs to set dates/times for its January meetings. Members scheduled the following meetings by consensus: Tuesday, January 7, 2020, 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 21, 2020, 10:00 a.m. 4. Review revised Inclusionary Zoning draft prepared by Regina Mahoney: Committee members and guests present discussed the following changes that Regina drafted based on input and discussion occurring at the November 26th meeting or subsequent communications: ● re 18.01 B. (2), members affirmed changes relating to congregate care housing units: (1) would be treated as rental residential units, (2) offset or bonus units that would otherwise apply to units contained in a congregate care facility are to be added to the residential units of a joint congregate/residential development December 3, 2019, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 2 provided the addition of the offset or density units does not result in exceeding the maximum density regulations in this section, and (3) inclusion of example of application of rule to development with both congregate care housing and residential dwelling units. ● re 18.01 C. (1)(d), affirmed language requiring 10% of lots in subdivision where developer sells lots without building houses must include deed restrictions requiring that houses built on these lots meet Inclusionary Zoning requirements. ● re 18.01 C. (2)(a) members affirmed use of same language re integration of Inclusionary Units here as appears in the current Density Bonus regulations. ● re 18.01 C. (2)(b)(iii), members affirmed changes here that relate to floor area of Inclusionary Units in relation to Market Units. ● re 18.01 C. (2)(b)(vi), members affirmed changes providing increased specificity. ● re 18.01 D. (5)(a), members affirmed language providing for a 2% per year price increase for each year of ownership to the options for maximum resale price. ● re 18.01 D. (5)(a), members affirmed language asked Regina to delete word “earning” in the second sentence and substitute in its place “having incomes.” ● re 18.01 D. (5)(a), members affirmed language that requires Inclusionary requirements to continue should dwelling unit change from ownership to rental. ● re 18.01 D. (6), members affirmed language added regarding documentation of income for household eligibility determination. ● re 18.01 E. (1)(c)&(d), members affirmed language added to clarity that “credit” inclusionary units earned under these provisions are ineligible for offset or bonus units. ● re 18.02 D. (3)(b), members affirmed language substituting “above grade living: for “gross floor” to “living space” and allowing affordable units to be no smaller than 70% of comparable market rate units in the development. ● re 18.02 D. (3)(c), members affirmed the deletion of all language in this subsection (including (i)) with the exception of “Plan for Continued Affordability. The standards for Section 18.01(D)(5) and (6) shall apply.” During this discussion Tom asked Patrick how developers are able to make a profit while complying with inclusionary zoning requirements; for example, at the Bayberry Commons development in Burlington. Patrick’s reply was that developers do not make a profit in the short run. They have to be in a financial position to wait several years (perhaps, six) before these developments make a profit. 5. Vote on changes to draft resulting from review: Mike moved and Sandy seconded that Regina’s revisions including modifications members requested today be approved. Vote was 5-0-0. (Leslie left meeting before this vote.) Regina will make needed changes right away and forward them to Paul, who will work with staff to have documents ready for distribution to the Planning Commission by the end of the week so that Commissioners can review them before the Public Hearing. Everyone, again, thanked Regina for her ongoing exemplary work. John mentioned that we have vacancies on committee that he would like to have filled. Sandy inquired of Patrick as to his interest in being appointed to the committee. His response was positive. John agreed to speak with Kevin about having the City Council advertise for applicants to serve on the committee. Should Kevin let John know that the City Council is amenable to doing this, Sandy will send Patrick the application for appointment to a City committee or board. 6. (if time) Update on housing land priority identification project work – Mike & Tom: Due to lack of time deferred to a subsequent meeting. December 3, 2019, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 3 7. Review 2020 Work Plan to schedule Committee work: John, Mike, Tom and Sandy engaged in a wide- ranging, brainstorm-type discussion of item 7. in the 2020 Work Plan which states “Develop a dedicated funding source or funding mechanism for the Housing Trust Fund to directly impact the development of affordable housing.” Copy of this Work Plan is included with these minutes. 8. Reports and updates by committee members: Due to lack of time deferred to a subsequent meeting. 9. Adjourn: At 12:02 p.m., Mike moved and Tom seconded motion to adjourn. Motion passed 5-0-0. December 3, 2019, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 4 Affordable Housing Committee FY 2020 Work Plan (August 6, 2019) 1) Present Inclusionary Zoning amendments to the Planning Commission and City Council, review new Planning Commission PUD regulations for their impact on affordable housing and participate in Planning Commission and City Council hearings and meetings 2) Study changes in the Land Development Regulations that will encourage private sector additions to the City’s housing stock: a) Study the regulation of accessory dwellings to be more favorable to their construction and study potential regulation of short-term rentals in the City b) Study LDR amendments that would allow increased residential development in commercial and industrial districts and permit more housing units in all residential districts through such changes as the definition of housing unit, upzoning for higher densities in some districts and adding some districts as receiving areas for TDRs. 3) Prepare an LDR amendment that will extend inclusionary zoning City-wide 4) Conduct a mapping and matrix project to identify priority land for additional housing 5) Work with Habitat for Humanity to support construction of affordable housing on land in the City 6) Continue to educate the City Council, Planning Commission and the general public on the positive impact of increased housing affordable for low and moderate income seniors and working people 7) Develop a dedicated funding source or funding mechanism for the Housing Trust Fund to directly impact the development of affordable housing 8) Establish a working relationship with the City Economic Development Committee 9) Work with the zoning administrator to prepare standards and instructions for private sector compliance with Inclusionary Zoning regulations. Prepare a consumers’ guide to affordable housing in South Burlington .