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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Affordable Housing Committee - 09/19/2017Approved on October 2, 2017 AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE September 19, 2017, 4:00 PM, City Hall Members attending: Leslie Black-Plumeau, Sandy Dooley, Michael Simoneau, John Simson (Chair) Members absent: Tom Bailey No one else present: Minutes by Sandy Dooley AGENDA 1. Welcome 2. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items 3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda 4. Review minutes of August 21, 2017, Committee meeting. 5. Discuss Leslie’s draft of a first section of an orientation document and what else should be included 6. Draft letter to Housing Trust Fund trustees re bylaws 7. Discuss how to proceed on expanding inclusionary zoning and developers’ incentives 8. New business 9. Adjourn 1. Welcome: John called the meeting to order at 4:08 p.m. 2. Agenda review: John requested addition of “Discuss need for acting chair during month of February 2018” to agenda after Review of minutes; committee members approved request. 3. Comments, etc.: There were no comments from the public. 4. Review and approval of minutes of August 21, 2017, committee meeting: Mike moved and Leslie seconded that the draft of the August 21, 2017, meeting minutes be approved with the correction on Page 2, 8.(c), line 4 of changing “Leslie” to “Lindsay.” Motion approved unanimously. 4a. Discuss need for acting chair during month of February 2018 John shared that he and Sandy had compared vacation plans during the coming months and learned that both will be away during the month of February 20018. Sandy moved and John seconded that Mike serve and acting chair of the committee and Leslie record the minutes for all committee meetings held during the month of February 2019. Motion approved unanimously. 5. Discuss Leslie’s draft of a first section of an orientation document and what else should be included John, Sandy, and Mike conveyed their approval of what Leslie had prepared. John asked that the Committee’s 1017 Work Plan be added. Leslie will do. It was suggested that we add a section that includes links to documents that would be helpful to committee members and interested members of the public. Sandy agreed to do research and prepare a list of suggested documents for which the committee would provide links. She will complete task by second AH meeting in October. Mike raised the question of developing bylaws for the committee. John does not see this as a priority task at this time so it is being deferred. 6. Draft letter to Housing Trust Fund (HTF) trustees re bylaws Rather than drafting a letter on this subject, the committee focused on fact that the HTF now has two vacancies and no applicants. Both members whose terms expired did not seek re-appointment. Larry Kupferman, the chair, is only current member. NOTE from later information: Larry later made us aware that the Housing Trust Fund currently has one vacancy, not two. Committee members identified three South Burlington residents who might be willing to apply to serve on the HTF; names mentioned were Bob Maynes, Ian Squirrel, and Diane Edson (Diane works at VHFA). Mike agreed to write Larry, share these names, and explore how Larry might want to pursue recruitment of folks to apply for appointment to the HTF. Should Larry concur with our suggested folks, Mike agreed to reach out to Bob and John agreed to reach out to Ian and encourage them to apply. With regard to Affordable Housing Committee’s view that the SoBu Housing Trust Fund needs to have bylaws, John agreed to invite Larry (Kupferman) to attend the October 2, 2017, committee meeting so that this subject may be explored. 7. Discuss how to proceed on expanding inclusionary zoning and developers’ incentives Committee members thanked John for preparing an outline for the committee to approach this subject. See outline at end of minutes. Suggested additions, areas needed development, etc.: ● Incorporate perpetual affordability ● Density bonuses and streamlining the permitting process are likely to be most important incentives for developers ● What about height waivers? ● What about exemptions to Act 250 review? ● Need to pay close attention to interaction of definition of affordable housing and density bonuses ● Is Planning Commission planning to propose LDRs establishing minimum densities? ● We need to revisit City zoning map to identify/specify priority districts. ● Sandy raised subject of having special LDRs for developments within one-half mile of public transit (for example not allowing payments in lieu of option in these areas) Homework: Leslie will research “Priority Housing” in VT statutes and its relationship to Act 250 and explore whether SoBu might establish a second designated downtown (or satellite downtown?) in area along Shelburne Road. Sandy will research SoBu LDRs vis-à-vis height restrictions. Sandy will invite Eric Farrell to our October 2nd meeting. John will prepare first draft of new LDRs making Inclusionary Zoning citywide. John asked everyone to review his outline, especially “The amendment should integrate with the existing density bonuses” provision and send him feedback (but not via “Reply All”). 8. New Business (a) John mentioned that the City Council appointed Todd Rawlings to the committee at its September 18, 2017, meeting. Committee still has one vacancy and Kevin indicates no one has applied. John shared that Larry Michaels is interested in joining the committee. John will contact Larry and encourage him to apply for appointment to the committee. (b) Sandy shared that, shortly before the meeting, she received an extensive email from Paul Conner on subject of interaction of proposed new definition of affordable housing and density bonus provision of LDRs. Sandy will forward Paul’s email to committee members to review before next meeting. (c) Sandy will send email to committee members summarizing what she learned from Todd LeBlanc re what Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation paid for the land on which it developed the Queensbury co-op. (Note: Champlain Housing Trust, as an organization, is the result of a merger [maybe in 2005] of Burlington Community Land Trust and Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation.) (d) John shared with committee what he has learned about the VonTurkovich development proposal for the UVM land off Spear and Swift streets (the proposal that UVM selected) Access will be from Spear and Swift streets. Housing will be targeted to “work force” population (rentals < 80% AMI; ownership < 120% AMI). Total of 176 units: 96 rental units in four buildings (24 units in each, one building for senior housing) and 80 ownership housing, perhaps, duplexes and quaplexes. They are purchasing adjacent house and lot on Swift Street so that development can be connected to East Woods natural area (owned by UVM) 10. Adjourn – Mike moved and Leslie seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Committee approved motion unanimously at 5:40 p.m. Suggested approach to Inclusionary Zoning (by John Simson, 9/18/17) I read the arcles that Leslie distributed and arrived at a way to focus our conversaon by proposing an outline of how we can proceed to prepare an amendment to the LDRs. We can discuss each point and make all the changes that emerge and are agreed to as we go. This is meant to be a way to focus discussion. Inclusionary zoning should be city wide in all districts that permit or should permit housing. It should apply to all development of 12 units or more. It should include an in lieu payment opon ($60k?) 15% of units should be affordable: rental – 80% of median, owner -120% of median The amendment should integrate with the exisng density bonus provisions Actual construcon of affordable units (no use of in lieu) will trigger incenves Permit fees reduced and permit speed increased Amendment should include priority districts where special incenves should be applied if 25% affordable units are built Density, building height, parking, fast track perming, etc.