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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - Affordable Housing Committee - 03/15/2023South Burlington Affordable Housing Committee at 6:30 Community Conversation Meeting at 7:00 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 Electronically: https://app.goto.com/meeting/493069485 Wednesday March 15, 2023 6:30 PM 1.Call to order, approve agenda, announcements, public comment 2.*** Approve minutes from February 15, 2023 Affordable Housing Committee Meeting 3.City Manager Updates 4.*** Fair Housing Month discussion regarding outreach efforts 5.Adjourn (6:55 PM) 2024 City Plan Community Conversation on Housing & Shelter will begin at 7:00 Hosted by the Affordable Housing Committee February 15, 2023, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes – DRAFT Page 1 Prepared on February 23, 2023 Future meetings: Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 7:00 p.m., City Hall or online (Please arrive early.) for Comprehensive Plan Community Conversation re Housing Wednesday, March 22, 11:00 a.m., to prepare feedback report on March 15th Community Conversation meeting AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE February 15, 2023, 6:00 p.m., meeting held online and at City Hall Members attending: Janet Bellavance, Leslie Black-Plumeau, Vince Bolduc, Sandy Dooley, , Emily Holt-Gosselin, Darrilyn Peters, John Simson, and Chris Trombly; members absent: Tom Getz and Ariel Jensen-Vargas; also present: Jessie Baker, City Manager; also absent: City Councilor Meaghan Emery (CC liaison to AHC) AGENDA 1. Call to order, approve agenda, announcements, public comment 2. Approve minutes from 1/18/23 AHC meeting 3. City Manager Update 4. Fair Housing Month discussion and possible action: Work group assignment, City Council resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month, Outreach efforts such as The Other Paper and City News, and Book discussion group 6. Adjourn 1. Call to order, approve agenda, announcements, public comment Call to order: Chris called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m Approve agenda: Vince moved and John seconded motion to approve the agenda as proposed. Approved: 8-0-0. Announcements: Sandy and Chris provided information about their 2/6/23 meeting with Paul Conner to get his input/perspective on how the City might advocate for a change in the Vermont statutes that would allow SoBu to have more than one “designated area.” (Note: “designated area” was the term used at the meeting; however, secretary has since learned that “designated center” is the correct term and will use this term in the remainder of these minutes.) The basis for seeking such a change is that, in specified circumstances, being located in a designated center simplifies the permit process for building housing and other development and provides additional advantages or incentives. Members of the AHC, over the years, have viewed having a designated center along the Shelburne Road corridor as beneficial for housing and other development. Paul shared his idea of a new designation whose purpose would be “sprawl repair.” Lots of parties would have a stake in such a change, for example, the Vermont Natural Resources Council. John recommended a well articulated plan including our vision for this area as needed to move forward. Chris will share his notes from this meeting with committee members. Link to notes: 2023-Chris-Designated Growth Center Meeting.pdf With regard to land development/redevelopment along the Shelburne Road corridor, Jessie and the SoBu Police Chief met recently with the Department of Corrections commissioner about the Chittenden Community Correctional Center (at corner of Swift and Farrell Streets), which now functions as Vermont’s prison for women. The prison is outdated and not in good condition. It needs to be rehabbed or replaced in the foreseeable future. Jessie shared that someone had determined that of Vermont’s total land area of 9,600 square miles, only 41 square miles (0.43%) are included in a designated center. Leslie indicated that several bills relating to housing are active in the Legislature. Public Comments: as no members of the public attended, there were no public comments. 2. Approve minutes from 1/18/23 AHC meeting: John moved and Vince seconded motion that 1/18/23 meeting minutes be approved as drafted with exception that the duplicate “a rental” on page 2, paragraph 5 (beginning with “Members were”), line 1 shall be deleted. Motion approved: 8-0-0. 3. City Manager Update: Jessie reported that on 2/8/23 City Council chair Riehle and Planning and Zoning Director Conner had testified at the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs on the Committee’s Omnibus Housing Bill (now being drafted) and H.68; they also submitted a letter that the Council had approved on 2/6/23. A draft of this letter is included at the end of the Council’s 2/6/23 meeting’s agenda packet. See http://sbvt-records.info/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=301458. Jessie indicated that Paul sent a follow-up memo to the committee. Sandy asked that this memo be made available on the City’s website. The February 15, 2023, SoBu Affordable Housing Committee Minutes – DRAFT Page 2 Comprehensive Plan Community Conversation meetings have been going well. Attendance is consistent with what had been anticipated. Darrilyn has attended all of them. She mentioned that the meeting focusing on Recreation and Culture (hosted by the Recreation and Parks, Public Art, & Common Areas for Dogs committees) was especially interesting and included a discussion of the architecture of city buildings containing multifamily affordable housing units. The Jobs, Business & the Economy meeting focused almost exclusively on housing. Jessie mentioned that Planning staff (Kelsey) will need the committee’s feedback on the Housing & Shelter meeting shortly after the meeting takes place. Discussion followed on ways to encourage people to attend the Housing & Shelter meeting, especially to folks who have struggled to find housing in SoBu and people who need housing. Ideas included Front Porch Forum, seeking Champlain Housing Trust’s and Cathedral Square’s assistance in reaching folks that live in their housing located in SoBu. Sandy will reach out to CHT and Cathedral Square and contact a friend who lives in Garden Street apartments... Vince will contact Jess Hyman at CVOEO to enlist her assistance in reaching folks. Emily will reach out to friends who have experienced challenges in finding housing. Chris will contact SoBu folks that are active in People-Oriented Places (based in Burlington) 4. Fair Housing Month discussion and possible action: Work group assignment, City Council resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month, Outreach efforts such as The Other Paper and City News, and Book discussion group: Jessie reported that Mira Geffner (Adult Services Librarian) and Kelsey already have plans in the works for FHM-related tabling at the library and a story-time event for small children toward the end of the month. Discussion focused first on asking the City Council to approve a resolution proclaiming April to be Fair Housing Month (FHM) in South Burlington. Sandy read excerpts from FHM proclamations adopted by Burlington, Hinesburg and Montpelier in 2022. Plan re Proclamation: (1) have action on FHM proclamation on March 20 City Council meeting agenda; (2) Sandy, Leslie and Vince will prepare FHM proclamation in consultation with Meaghan Emery; (3) Sandy and Chris will work with The Other Paper (TOP) staff to have article on Fair Housing Month and proclamation in March 23 issue of TOP. Will also submit Proclamation for inclusion in City News. Leslie moved and John seconded motion to prepare FHM proclamation for the City Council’s consideration and action at their March 20th meeting. Approved 8-0-0. Plan re collaboration with Library: Janet and Darrilyn will meet with Mira and Kelsey to collaborate with them regarding FHM-related Library programming. Leslie reminded those present that the concept of fair housing and affordable housing are not the same. Major objective of FHM is to educate people about the legal rights and responsibilities of property owners and renters/prospective renters and mortgage providers and homeowners/prospective homeowners relative to housing and its provision. These provisions (protections) are based on federal and state law and, in some cases, local law. For example, if a municipality adopts a just cause eviction requirement, the protection is based on local law. Task is to clarify for folks what is and is not a fair housing infraction and where to get help if they believe they have been discriminated against. Consensus was that we need to do more to disseminate this information among our residents, especially renters. Plan re cohosting with the Library the second book discussion group focusing on housing issues: Several titles mentioned (Dream Hoarders, Evicted, Fixer-Upper, and Race for Profit). Members appear to view Fixer-Upper as best match for this discussion group. Will publicize the book discussion group and recruit folks to participate during April, as part of FHM activities. The discussion group will meet one or two times in May. Vince will work with Jess Hyman (CVOEO) and Mira (Library) to plan and carry out book discussion group. Sandy will send committee members link Jess Hyman shared at January meeting regarding FHM activities. Other: Committee scheduled a special meeting on March 22, 11:00 a.m., to prepare feedback report on March 15th Comprehensive Plan Community Conversation meeting on housing and shelter to send to Kelsey. 5. Adjourn: (7:40 p.m.) John moved and Vince seconded motion that meeting be adjourned. Approved 8-0-0. 180 Market Street, South Burlington, Vermont 05403 | 802-846-4107 | www.southburlingtonvt.gov 2023 - X City Council Resolution Declaring April 2023 Fair Housing Month Let it be known to all persons that the City of South Burlington wishes to join with the State of Vermont and the United States of America in affirming and celebrating the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which serves as a powerful statement about who we are as a people and the values of equality, equity, and dignity that we strive to uphold. Whereas, Vermont extends these protections to people of all ages, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sources of income and people who have experienced abuse, sexual assault, and stalking as protected classes; and Whereas, Vermont took the further step to ensure fair housing by prohibiting discrimination against housing developments in land use and planning decisions based on the income of intended residents; and Whereas, inclusive, welcoming, and affordable communities promote diversity and a climate conducive to equitable and thriving communities; and Whereas, the City of South Burlington supports the efforts of fair housing organizations, concerned citizens, and the housing industry to create broader housing opportunities for households of all incomes throughout the region. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of South Burlington, Vermont, hereby proclaims the month of April to be Fair Housing month, and urges all individuals, institutions, and agencies to contribute to the observance by continuing our efforts to eliminate housing discrimination in our community and to increase housing opportunities for all. Approved this 20th day of March, 2023. SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL __________________________________ ________________________________ Helen Riehle, Chair Meaghan Emery, Vice-Chair __________________________________ ________________________________ Tim Barritt, Clerk Tyler Barnes __________________________________ Andrew Chalnick