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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Affordable Housing Committee - 01/21/2020January 21, 2020, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 1 Approved on February 4, 2020 AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE January 21, 2020, 10:00 a.m., City Hall, Champlain Room Members attending: Tom Bailey, Paula DeMichele, Sandy Dooley, Michael Simoneau, and John Simson Members absent: Leslie Black-Plumeau; Others absent: Monica Ostby, PC liaison Guest: Matt Cota (SoBu resident and DRB chair) AGENDA 1. Call to order, emergency procedure, agenda review, comments from guests 2. Review and approval of minutes of 01/07/20 committee meeting 3. Chair’s Comments – status of inclusionary zoning review, new members 4. Discussion of interim zoning reports, their impact on housing, and committee response 5. Update on housing site analysis and potential rezoning districts 6. Reports and updates by committee members 7. Adjourn 1. Call to order, emergency procedure, agenda review, comments from guess: John called meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. John reviewed the exit procedures. John welcomed our guest. Matt Cota introduced himself to committee members and shared that he is currently the DRB chair, is running for City Council, attending City committee meetings to learn about their work. There were no other public comments. 2. Review and approval of minutes of 01/07/20 committee meeting: Tom moved and Mike seconded motion to approve the minutes of the 01/07/20 meeting, as drafted. Motion passed (4-0-1). 3. Chair’s Comments- status of inclusionary zoning, new members:: At the 01/07/20 Planning Commission meeting, the Commissioners asked staff to draft a change that would address the concern that in residential districts in which allowable lot coverage was low (e.g. 25%), the limit on lot coverage would prevent the developer from using the offset units the proposed policy provides for inclusionary units, in particular homeownership inclusionary units. Commissioners also asked Robin Jeffers and Sandy Dooley to work with staff on how to address the changes that she had planned to propose to the PC that evening. These turned out to be both clarifications and substantive. John, Sandy, and Paul (Conner) concluded that the best approach was to address her requests relating to the proposed inclusionary zoning regulations but delay until some future time the substantive change requested relating to the current density bonus section for affordable housing. It is anticipated that the Planning Commission, at its meeting on 01/28/20, will approve the proposed rules, including the changes described above; and forward the package to the City Council to accept them and warn the public hearing, which is a required step before their final adoption. John then reported on his outreach to City residents regarding their interest in applying to the City Council for appointment to serve on the committee. Helen Head declined due to the workload of current commitments. Vince Bolduc indicated strong interest and Matt Boulanger also indicated strong interest but cannot join until he finishes a graduate course he is taking. Members expressed enthusiasm regarding this news and are comfortable with Matt not applying until late spring or early summer. At Faith Ingulsrud’s suggestion (Ingulsrud is a planner at VT Department of Housing & Community Affairs), John had met with Keith Epstein, chair of SoBu’s Energy Committee (Keith had also contacted Ingulsrud). The Energy Committee is drafting an Energy Plan that will focus on settlement patterns in the City and their impact on energy consumption. Keith will share the draft of this plan with the Affordable Housing Committee. Both January 21, 2020, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes- APPROVED Page 2 John and Keith had inquired of Ingulsrud regarding the State’s “great neighborhoods” program and learned that the Department is focusing on municipalities outside Chittenden County. Randolph, Bethel, and Vergennes were mentioned. John will be meeting with Paul Conner on 01/22/20. He will be seeking Paul’s input regarding locations in City that are appropriate for high density housing development. Members asked him to raise the subject of expanding the City Center District to include the developed areas adjacent to Shelburne Road. The perception is that this requires a statutory change. Sandy suggested that the committee reach out to John Killacky, one of SoBu’s State Representatives and a member of the Housing committee, relative to this matter. 4. Discussion of interim zoning reports, their impact on housing, and committee response: The Open Space report was completed on 01/19/20. It is being presented to the City Council for discussion this evening (01/21/20). The Planning Commission will discuss the Transfer of Development Rights report at its 01/28/20 meeting. The studies on the cost of development are not finished. The Open Space report identifies 25 parcels that it recommends as high priority for preservation. The Housing Space work group that Mike and Tom have convened plan to review each of these 25 parcels and assess them as to their suitability for housing development. The group has not yet settled on the metrics they will use in assessing these parcels. Mike emailed Kevin (Dorn) requesting an opportunity to present group’s findings to the City Council at its 02/11/20 meeting. It is not clear if this is feasible as this meeting has a public hearing on the extension of Interim Zoning on the agenda. Mike met with Allan Strong, chair of Interim Zoning Open Space committee. Mike’s objective is to keep the need for more housing in the City front and center, along with the work of the Interim Zoning committees. On February 4th, Mike and Tom will share with AHC what they have completed. Many requests for new funding have already been put forth and more may emerge. Examples: SBLT – an additional 2¢ on property tax for open space, new Recreation facility, and Bond for new Middle & High School & Wellness Center. Members are not ready to craft response to Interim Zoning reports (Open Space & TDR). Homework is to read these reports before the 02/04 committee meeting. Matt will send committee members the OS report. 5. Update on housing site analysis and potential rezoning districts: Tom is not ready to report on Accessory Dwelling Unit research. Group discussed TDR report recommendations regarding increasing the allowable density on lots adjacent to Williston Road. What about the traffic this would generate on an already heavily traveled US highway? Same question for Kimball Avenue and Technology Parkway. A Williston Road Study is currently underway. Does it take into consideration these questions? John will follow-up with Kevin. A “windshield survey” of potential housing sites was mentioned. 6. Reports and updates by committee members: Members that attended the Senate Economic Development, Housing & General Affairs Committee meeting & roundtable discussion discussed content briefly. Large number of roundtable participants left little time for attendee participation. Concept of “sprawl repair” was mentioned for South Burlington and other Vermont municipalities having similar development patterns. Question was raised about recent proposals to build new hotels. E.g., YMCA building in BTV will be converted to hotel, hotel at airport, hotel Larkin has proposed at Shelburne Road location. 7. Adjourn: At 11:40 a.m., Mike moved and Tom seconded motion to adjourn. Motion passed 5-0-0.