HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Affordable Housing Committee - 01/24/2022South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee
Room #301 at 180 Market St
South Burlington, VT 05403
AGENDA
Participation Options In Person: Room #301 – 3rd Floor – 180 Market St
Assistive Listening Service Devices Available upon request – Reach out to staff
or committee members before meeting begins
Electronically: https://www.gotomeet.me/SouthBurlingtonVT/affordable-housing-
committee01-24-2022 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (646) 749-
3122 Access Code: 216-965-397
FY23 AHC Policy Priorities and Strategies
Explore funding mechanisms to increase funding to Affordable Housing Trust Fund and make
recommendations to Council
•Work with staff to review options for buying privately owned or developing existing city-
owned land to develop additional perpetually affordable housing
•Make recommendations to Council on how best to use ARPA funding for housing
•Identify regulatory barriers and added costs of developing multi-unit buildings and propose
ways for SB to address them. Could include: waiver or reduction of city impact and permit
fees for perpetually affordable developments
•Articulate connections between dense housing development and climate change solutions
•Review zoning districts city-wide to identify additional locations for residential/mixed-use
zoning including conducting an inventory of vacant space.
•Identify regulatory barriers and added costs of redeveloping areas of SB and propose ways to
address them
•Propose an Impact Assessment Checklist for Council consideration
Monday, January 24, 2022 10:30 AM
1. ***Call to order, agenda review, approval of minutes from 01/10/2022 AHC Meeting, Announcements, Public Comment. (10:30 - 10:45 AM)
2. City Manager’s Report (10:45 - 11:00 AM)
3. Receive an update and possibly take action on Climate Action Task Force meetings and next steps. (11:00 – 11:30 AM)
4. Receive an update from Redevelopment Subcommittee and possible
action on recommendations. (11:30 – 12:00 PM)
5. ***Discuss and possible action to approve text of committee’s request Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission convene a regional
gathering “How to craft zoning regulations that promote equity and
address both the climate and housing crises.” (12:00 AM - 12:15 PM)
6. Report on Planning Commission’s response to AHC’s request that they place the policy proposal to reduce the maximum density on small SEQ
lots from 4 units per acre to 1.8 units per acres on their 1/25/22 meeting agenda (from Monica Ostby) (12:15 -12:30 PM)
Adjourn. 12:30 PM
*** Attachments Included
January 10, 2022, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes – DRAFT Page 1
Prepared on January 17, 2022 Next meeting date/time: Monday, January 24, 2022, 10:30 p.m. City Hall and online
AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE January 10, 2022, 10:30 a.m., meeting held online and at City Hall Members attending: Janet Bellavance, Leslie Black-Plumeau (in and out of meeting), Vince Bolduc, Sandy Dooley, Patrick O’Brien (left 12:13 p.m.), Darrilyn Peters, John Simson, and Chris Trombly; members absent: Ariel Jensen-Vargas and Minelle Sarfo-Ado; staff present: Kelsey Peterson, City Planner, Jessie Baker, City Manager; Paul Conner, Director of Planning and Zoning (arriving 12:00 p.m.); PC liaison, Monica Ostby. AGENDA 1. Call to order, agenda review, approval of minutes (12/13/21), announcements, public comment 2 Discuss and possibly take action on a proposal to convene a public forum with invited speakers to explore whether limiting the development of affordable Housing to town centers and areas served by transit is equitable,
consistent with regional planning, and responsive to global warming, in South Burlington and comparable municipalities that are or are adjacent to major sources of jobs. 3. Discuss and possibly take action on formulating a plan to put an item on the November ballot that would raise sufficient funds to support a self-renewing fund for affordable housing in South Burlington as described in David Mullin’s 12/8/21 email to Sandy Dooley. 4. Discuss and possibly take action on proposed Land Development Regulations that reduce density in the
SEQ NR, NRT, and NRN districts. Receive updates from Planning staff on these proposed changes to understand the impact to housing. 5. Adjourn 1, Call to order, agenda review, approval of minutes (12/13/21) announcements, public comment, Call to order: Chris called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. Agenda review: Sandy moved and Patrick seconded motion to approve proposed agenda. Motion approved: 6-0-0 (Leslie and John had not yet arrived).
Approval of minutes: John moved and Vince seconded motion to approve the minutes for the 12/13//21 meeting as drafted (with correction of word “chance” to “change”). Motion approved: 7-0-0 (Leslie had not yet arrived.) Announcements: Janet reported that the Infill and Redevelopment subcommittee met on 12/20/21, will meet
again on 1/17/22, and she has asked that a subcommittee report be included on the committee’s 1/24/22 meeting agenda. Chris explained that Paul Conner had cleared up the mystery about the item on the Planning Commission’s (PC) 1/11/22 meeting agenda that reads: “Opportunities for input from Affordable Housing
Committee.” Nothing is expected from our committee for this meeting. This is for PC to discuss how to involve AHC committee in crafting the Infill and Redevelopment PUD regulations. Kelsey added that she had proposed putting this item on the agenda. Jessie noted that on 01/06/22, the US Treasury had issued its final rules on how
ARPA funds may be used. Staff are reviewing them carefully. They are also working on developing an RFP to receive proposals on spending ARPA funds in ways that will best support the City’s priorities and goals. On January 18, Tom Getz of Summit Properties will ask the City Council to apply for a CDBG grant to support its two buildings proposed for the O’Brien Farms development. In addition, the City’s work with the School District on the lease for the 575 Dorset Street property, including the City’s use of an unused part of the lot for affordable housing, is proceeding well. Jessie clarified the situation regarding use of ARPA funds for affordable housing in South Burlington. Because South Burlington has no “qualified Census Tracts”, one source of funding presently limits use of these funds to housing for homeless individuals; this may change as a result of the recently released
federal guidance. However, the City has total discretion re use of ARPA funding received as a result of revenue lost due to the pandemic. Sandy reported that the American Institute of Architects-Vermont Chapter is sponsoring a charrette on affordable housing to be held in March. Sandy will send link to committee members. Public Comments: None. 2. Discuss and possibly take action on a proposal to convene a public forum with invited speakers to explore
whether limiting the development of affordable housing to town centers and areas served by transit is equitable, consistent with regional planning, and responsive to global warming, in South Burlington and comparable municipalities that are or are adjacent to major sources of jobs: Sandy reported that, upon reflection, she believes
January 10, 2022, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes – DRAFT Page 2
this forum should be regional and that the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) might be the best organization to sponsor such a forum. Darrilyn asked the group to explain why such a forum is needed and the outcomes sought. Responses included need for more clarity on (1) how to promote development that
addresses global warming and the housing crisis and also promotes equity and (2) the advantages of addressing these objectives from a regional as opposed to a municipal focus, (3) the need to include residents of high density housing so that their input is included in this discussion, (4) the view that this “additional” forum may be unnecessary, and (5) (not related to this topic) the need for the committee to provide input to the Planning Commission regarding requiring that every new residential unit include a private or semi-private outdoor space. Motion: Sandy moved and John seconded motion that the committee supports, in concept, having the chair send
a request to Charlie Baker, CCRPC executive director, to sponsor a forum, as discussed, but that the text of this communication would be prepared for review and possible approval at our next committee meeting. Approved: 7-0-0 (Leslie not present for vote). 3. Discuss and possibly take action on formulating a plan to put an item on the November ballot that would raise sufficient funds to support a self-renewing fund for affordable housing in South Burlington as described in David
Mullin’s 12/8/21 email to Sandy Dooley: Sandy clarified that her intent is not to transfer these funds to Habitat for Humanity. She envisions an RFP but expectation is that only Habitat would be able to meet a requirements of a self-renewing housing fund, due to Habitat’s use of volunteer labor and large donations of materials. In light of new information on flexibility of ARPA funds, committee decided to defer this proposed plan to a later date. Jessie indicated that staff with be reporting to the City Council on how to use ARPA funds at its 2/22/22 meeting. It was noted that ARPA funds must be spent or obligated by 12/31/24. Member proposed that AHC’s subcommittee on ARPA funds meet with Jessie on this subject. Since committee was ahead of schedule, Patrick reported that S.D. Ireland Company’s efforts to build affordable housing units at South Village has been delayed via Act 250 by some South Village residents’ opposition to affordable housing. Monica expressed appreciation to AHC for its support for the LDR changes included in Article 12.
4. Discuss and possibly take action on proposed Land Development Regulations that reduce density in the SEQ
NR, NRT, and NRN districts. Receive updates from Planning staff on these proposed changes to understand the impact to housing: Paul Conner joined the meeting and explained this policy change relates to SEQ lots having less than four acres abutting lots of four acres or more that are required to be Conservation PUDs. A lively discussion followed. Committee members concerned about consequences described in Sandy’s January 3, 2022, email comments to the City Council for the public hearing on the IZ-generated package of proposed LDR changes. Paul stated that PC needs to define “what is a built-up neighborhood?” Monica describes the
consequences that Sandy’s memo outlines as “unintended consequences” because the PC did not discuss them before approving the policy change. Discussion turned to what action to take in this situation. Decision was to ask Monica to convey AHC’s request that Planning Commission put this subject on its 1/25/22 meeting agenda.
Motion: Sandy moved and John seconded a motion that the committee ask Monica to convey the committee’s request that, at its January 25, 2022, meeting, the PC revisit the proposed Land Development Regulation change that, on lots between 1 – 4 acres in size in the SEQ-NR, SEQ-NRT, and SEQ-NRN sub-districts, would reduce
maximum density from R4 to R1.8, taking into consideration consequences that may not have been considered. Motion approved: 5-1-1 (Chris, Leslie, Vince, John and Sandy affirmed; Darrilyn opposed; Janet abstained; and Patrick no longer at meeting).
5. Adjourn: At 12:34 p.m. Leslie moved and Janet seconded motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved: 7-0-0.
From:Sandra Dooley
To:Jessie Baker
Cc:Chris Trombly
Subject:EXTERNAL: to be included with 1/24/22 meeting agenda
Date:Wednesday, January 19, 2022 8:16:42 PM
This message has originated from an External Source. Please use proper judgment and
caution when opening attachments, clicking links, or responding to this email.
Hi Jessie,
Below is the text of the draft email to Charlie Baker that will be reviewed
and likely acted upon at the AHC’s 1/24/22 meeting. It has been
reviewed and approved by
Darrilyn, Janet, John and Vince.
I am thinking you will want to make it a separate document and include
it with the meeting agenda.
Sandy
On Jan 17, 2022, at 11:11 AM, Sandra Dooley <dooleyvt1@comcast.net> wrote:
DRAFT email:
Dear Charlie,
I write on behalf of South Burlington’s Affordable Housing Committee
(AHC). The AHC’s mission is “to increase the availability of safe and
affordable housing in the city, particularly for households with incomes
no greater than 80% of the median for the region. To this end, it
provides guidance and policy recommendations to the Planning
Commission and City Council, educates the community about housing
needs, and collaborates with regional municipalities and housing
partners.” (from the City’s Annual Report for FY20, the latest posted)
We are mindful of our responsibility to carry out this mission holistically.
As circumstances change, we face new challenges. Recently, we
identified the need for clarity relative to integrating multiple objectives.
Believing that housing advocates in other Chittenden County
municipalities likely struggle with the same challenges, we write to
request that the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
(CCRPC) convene a regional gathering whose subject would be how to
craft zoning regulations that promote equity and address both the
climate and housing crises. The AHC would be happy to assist
CCRPC staff in organizing such a regional gathering.
Should you wish to explore this subject further, we invite you to attend a
South Burlington AHC meeting.
I look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Chris Trombly
Chair, South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee