HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-16, Pertzborn2, Cottage Housing Public Comment
-----Original Message----- From: Chris Mehl
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 3:02 PM
To: Chris Saunders <csaunders@BOZEMAN.NET>; Wendy Thomas <WThomas@BOZEMAN.NET> Cc: Cyndy Andrus <CAndrus@BOZEMAN.NET>; Robin Crough <RCrough@BOZEMAN.NET> Subject: FW: Cottage Housing w/ required "affordability" component
public comment
Chris Mehl
Bozeman City Commission cmehl@bozeman.net
406.581.4992
________________________________________ From: Rob Pertzborn [rpertzborn@intrinsikarchitecture.com] Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 2:43 PM
To: Chris Mehl; Cyndy Andrus
Subject: FW: Cottage Housing w/ required "affordability" component
Greetings –
Below is the response we received when inquiring about adding an affordable housing component to Cottage Housing with Ross Chapin’s office. They are
considered some of the top (if not the top) experts in the field of cottage
housing/pocket neighborhoods. http://www.pocket-neighborhoods.net/
Response below.
Thanks for your careful considerations,
RJP
Robert J. Pertzborn, AIA
Principal I Architect intrinsik architecture, inc.
111 north tracy avenue
bozeman, montana 59715 t. 406.582.8988 m. 406.580.0422
www.intrinsikarchitecture.com<http://www.intrinsikarchitecture.com/>
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From: Heather Davis
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 1:42 PM
To: Rob Pertzborn <rpertzborn@intrinsikarchitecture.com>
Subject: FW: Cottage Housing w/ required "affordability" component
Response from Ross Chapin Architects below.
From: Karen DeLucas [mailto:Karen@rosschapin.com]
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2016 1:27 PM To: Heather Davis <Hdavis@intrinsikarchitecture.com<mailto:Hdavis@intrinsikarchitecture.com>>
Subject: Re: Cottage Housing w/ required "affordability" component
Hi Heather,
We do not know of a particular Cottage Housing code that requires an affordability component, but we were required on one of our projects to have one unit. Conover Commons has 12 cottages and 12 unrestricted sized homes and 1
“affordable” unit. This was part of a general housing requirement, not specifically to cottages. I have put more detail about the requirements below, but I couldn’t find the actual code….this was a 2004 project.
Both Ross and I feel that it would not be a good idea to require an affordability component on top of the cottage code. The costs per square foot are already
higher than typical developments because they are smaller homes, but still need
the expensive items (kitchen, bath, foundation, etc>) without the benefit of lower cost square footage like hallways, extra bedrooms, extra space. There are also more common amenities that make these projects excel, but their added costs
are sometimes difficult to appraise into the value of the house. There is
usually a level of education/marketing that needs to take place with the buyers, real estate agents, and appraisers.
What we have found is that while they may not be “Affordable”, they bring an option to the market place that may be more affordable in comparison to other market housing because of the size and long term maintenance and lower utilities
that come with a smaller home. Not sure if you saw this on our website, but the Municipal Research and Services
Center in Washington State has compiled links to several cities that have adopted
cottage courtyard codes, as well as a synopsis of ‘cottage housing’ and related articles. MRSC - Cottage Housing<http://mrsc.org/Home/Explore-
Topics/Planning/Specific-Planning-Subjects,-Plan-Elements/Cottage-Housing.aspx>
I hope that answers your question. Please feel free to call me on cell if you
have more or need clarification.
All the best, Karen DeLucas
c:206-799-8748
Ross Chapin Architects • PO Box 230 • Langley, WA 98260-0230
(360) 221 2373 • email: karen@rosschapin.com • web:
www.rosschapin.com<http://www.rosschapin.com/>
“At our Conniver Commons community the City of Redmond required us to build a two
bedroom low-income home. The home must be purchased by a minimum household of
two with verifiable annual income of not more than $35,000 (which is 50% of the current median income for a household of 3). The home will have resale
restrictions requiring any resale be to a household that meets the 50% income
maximum at the time of resale. It looks like the sales price will be about $111,000 – less than it cost us to build it. The monthly home payments including taxes, association fee, insurance and loan will be about $890 – most of which
remains fixed over time because of the fixed interest 30 year loan.
The buyer must:
1. be a minimum household of 2 2. have an annual income not exceeding $35,055 3. have good credit
4. have about $12,000 saved for 10% down payment plus closing costs.
From: Heather Davis <Hdavis@intrinsikarchitecture.com<mailto:Hdavis@intrinsikarchitecture.com>>
Date: Friday, June 24, 2016 at 8:46 AM
To: Karen DeLucas <Karen@rosschapin.com<mailto:Karen@rosschapin.com>> Subject: Cottage Housing w/ required "affordability" component
Hi Karen,
I work for an architect/land planning firm in Bozeman, MT. I’m conducting some background research into cottage housing zoning allowance for the City of
Bozeman. We are in the middle of reviewing a draft ordinance. While the proposed
cottage housing zoning seems to be in line with the examples and successful projects highlighted on your website, we are currently debating whether to
require 1-3 cottage houses to comply with our City’s Affordable Housing Ordinance
(ex. house shall be sold to a household with an income between 65% and 80% of AMI). While we are all for affordable housing in Bozeman, I wanted to ask the experts whether you guys know of any examples of Cottage Housing in other Cities
or jurisdictions that allow cottage housing but also require an affordable
housing component. If so, what is the general sense if that is a successful approach? Or what types of required affordability works and what doesn’t?
I appreciate your time and feedback on this specific question. Thank you,
Heather
PS You have some fans here in Bozeman, so thanks for all the information you
provide online.
Heather Davis, AICP
intrinsik architecture, inc.
111 north tracy avenue
bozeman, montana 59715 t. 406.582.8988 f. 406.582.8911
www.intrinsikarchitecture.com<http://www.intrinsikarchitecture.com/>