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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-15 CAHAB Minutes CAHAB COMMUNITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD Bozeman. Montana Agenda July 23, 2015, 9:00 am – 11:00 am City Commission Room, City Hall, 121 North Rouse Board Member - Mary Martin : Present Board Member - David J Magistrelli: Absent Board Member - Kevin Thane: Present Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Present Board Member - Kris Keller: Absent Board Member - Melvin Howe: Present A. 09:01:11 AM Call to Order – City Commission Room, City Hall 9:00 AM B. 09:01:18 AM Changes to agenda 9:05 C. 09:01:37 AM Public Comment –9:15 09:01:27 AM Jeff Rupp public comment Mr. Rupp stated he would like to be able to comment on each action item. 09:02:34 AM George Thompson public comment Reviewed stats he presented at last CAHAB meeting. Discusses National Builders Magazine article – addresses single people living in homes. He proposes converting trailer parks to permanent structures to create more affordable housing. May not meet design guidelines, but it is currently working. 09:07:06 AM Close Public Comment D. 09:07:12 AM Action Items 9:30  Affordable Housing Incentives 09:08:25 AM Mrs. Thomas gives and introductory statement saying that a consultant will be reviewing innovative housing for the new UDC update. Gives example in Washington where they are doing this – for example only owning the space under the house and the rest of the land being community – and it is working. 09:10:58 AM – Mr. Thane asks Mrs. Thomas how broad we can apply this “cottage housing”. Mrs. Thomas responded in detail. Page 2 09:14:29 AM Move to consider the motion on innovative housing. Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd 09:15:01 AM Board Discussion: Ms. Martin said the Werwath report shows that builders are not using the reduced lot sizes, so why are we suggesting them? 09:15:32 AM Mr. Lewendal replied that it allows creativity and flexibility. 09:15:54 AM Mrs. Thomas responded that it may not be used because people creating lots want to make sure the lots are usable. Even if it’s not used, it would be best to create the flexibility for innovative housing, which we don’t have right now. 09:16:59 AM public comment on the action item 09:17:15 AM – Public Comment from Jeff Rupp He thinks motion is fine. He is however concerned about the AMI percentages. He thinks we need to address individuals below 80% that townhomes meet that, but not single family. He thinks we need to meet the needs of the individuals below the 80% AMI. 09:18:48 AM – Mrs. Thomas points out that the purpose of the innovative housing ordinance was to create inclusionary zoning, to have homes available at different price points where previously homes may be geared towards one price point. 09:19:57 AM Mr. Thane asks for clarification on the AMI and home size question. Mrs. Thomas responds that AMI and house size are not necessarily connected for the sake of the CAHAB proposed incentives. The goal is create a variety of houses at different price points to suit various individual needs. 09:25:39 AM Mr. Thane continues discussion about home size and AMI, looking for further clarification on how builders know which group they need to target when building. Mr. Lewendal clarifies that at the CAHAB price points, they are not building custom homes. They are choosing what’s on the market. Builders buy lots from community planners and develop them and home buyers are seeing what’s available on the market. By offering builders incentives, we are making it more affordable for buyers and for builders. Mr. Lewendal expresses that we should not only offer these options for affordable housing, we should update the UDC to apply to all home buyers, to allow flexibility for all buyers. 09:30:28 AM Page 3 Mr. Lewendal amends his motion to apply innovative housing ordinances to all income levels. A) 09:29:48 AM Motion and Vote: Ordinance will provide the flexibility of the PUD process such as lot sizes as small as 2500 sq feet, for the income restricted units reduced set back requirements, unique lot configuration. The reduction of the lot size should be allowed to create an increase in maximum unit density, beyond the maximum currently allowed in the given zoning district. And in currently applies to the 70%, 80% and 90% AMI categories. My amendment is to allow that language to apply to all AMI households. Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd 09:33:30 AM Board Discussion: Mr. Thane expresses concern about removing the incentive from affordable housing will drive up the cost of smaller homes and not give builders an incentive to build affordable housing. We will just have a lot of high end small homes. 09:34:33 AM – Ms. Martin questions whether an adjustment to infrastructure would be an option. Mrs. Thomas responds that the city commission was not supportive, so she did not include that. 09:35:16 AM – Board discussed income levels and desire to have innovative housing available to all price points. Mrs. Thomas states that a subdivision could allow for housing for all income levels as long as they are meeting a minimum percentage of affordable housing. She highlights that a basic component of an inclusionary housing program is that affordable housing is offered in a mix with market priced housing, to avoid zoning specifically for those income levels. 09:41:48 AM Amended Motion and Vote: Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd Board Member - Mary Martin : Disapprove Board Member - David J Magistrelli: Absent Board Member - Kevin Thane: Disapprove Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Approve Board Member - Kris Keller: Absent Board Member - Melvin Howe: Approve With a tied vote, Mr. LaMeres gets to vote and he votes against it. Motion Fails 09:43:42 AM Board Discussion: The flexibility of the PUD process was discussed. 09:45:31 AM motion and vote after discussion of the amended failed motion. The vote was on the original motion. Page 4 Motion: I move to approve the Innovative Housing Ordinance portion of the Affordable Housing incentives dated July 1, 2015; which will allow for a reduction in minimum lot size for income-restricted units, reduction in setback requirements and unique lot configuration. Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd Board Member - Mary Martin : Disapprove Board Member - David J Magistrelli: Absent Board Member - Kevin Thane: Approve Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Approve Board Member - Kris Keller: Absent Board Member - Melvin Howe: Approve Motion Passes B) 09:46:35 AM Mrs. Thomas presents action item B: the simultaneous construction of infrastructure and housing development for affordable housing communities. 09:47:08 AM Public Comment Mr. LaMeres Opened Public Comment There was no Public Comment Public Comment was closed. 09:47:14 AM Consider the Motion: I move to approve simultaneous construction of infrastructure and housing development for affordable housing communities as outlined in the July 1, 2015 Draft of the Affordable Housing Incentives applying to 80% and below of the AMI. Board Member - Mary Martin : Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd 09:47:50 AM Board Discussion Mr. Thane talked about being efficient with all housing not just the affordable housing. Mrs. Thomas replies in detail about the reasons infrastructure is typically required prior to home construction. Board discusses whether it would be beneficial to offer this incentive to all home price points. 09:51:16 AM Mr. Lewendal asked how we can take back the incentive if homes sell above the 90%. Mrs. Thomas replies that there would be a note on the face of the plat that it needed to be sold at a certain price point – there may be a restriction that homes need to be listed for 90 days at the desired AMI before it can sell above. Page 5 09:54:20 AM Board Member - Mary Martin : Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd Board Member - Mary Martin : Approve Board Member - David J Magistrelli: Absent Board Member - Kevin Thane: Approve Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Approve Board Member - Kris Keller: Absent Board Member - Melvin Howe: Approve Motion Passes C) 09:54:41 AM Board moves on to discuss the next action item: I move to approve expedited (3 business day) building permit reviews for affordable housing units, in addition to expedited building permit review for one market rate unit per affordable housing unit as outlined in the July 1, 2015 Draft of the Affordable Housing Incentives . Board discussion: Mrs. Thomas explains the incentive in detail. 09:55:55 AM – Mr. Thane asks what the City’s penalty would be if 3 day time frame was not met. Mrs. Thomas explains that the city is committed to doing it – they are making a commitment through an ordinance. Mr. Lewendal wanted to know the impact that it would have on other permits that are still at 4 weeks. Would they now be pushed to 5 weeks? Mr. Lewendal suggested builders be able to pay extra to fund expedited processing for homes that do not qualify as affordable housing. Mrs. Thomas says that was an option previously – it is still an option, but it cannot be applied to all permits. It’s just physically impossible for staff. Mr. Howe asked what happens if the applications are too high – how they would be able to process that work load in three days. Mrs. Thomas explains that it is unlikely, and discussed ways that the Building Department can review plans quickly. 10:00:08 AM Public Comment No public comment. 10:00:32 AM Motion: I move to approve expedited (3 business day) building permit reviews for affordable housing units, in addition to expedited building permit review for one market rate unit per affordable housing unit as outlined in the July 1, 2015 Draft of the Affordable Housing Incentives Board Member - Mary Martin : Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd Board Member - Mary Martin : Approve Board Member - David J Magistrelli: Absent Page 6 Board Member - Kevin Thane: Approve Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Approve Board Member - Kris Keller: Absent Board Member - Melvin Howe: Approve Motion Passes D) 10:01:20 AM Mrs. Thomas Provides introduction to Action Item D: I move to approved reducing parking requirements to two spaces per three bedroom dwelling unit for income- certified, homeowner-occupied units as outlined in the July 1, 2015 Draft of the Affordable Housing Incentives. 10:01:56 AM Discussion by the board regarding current parking requirements. Public comment Jeff Rupp - Feels that reduction in parking would be a bad idea. When on the City Commission, he saw that parking was regularly an issue. Not in the best interest of the community or the neighborhoods. George Thompson – Agrees that reduced parking could be an issue. 10:05:22 AM Public comment closed. 10:05:59 AM Discussion on the motion by the board. Mr. Thane expresses his concerns with parking as well. Mr. Howe expresses many families have three cars. By reducing the parking requirements we will not be meeting the needs of the families. Mr. Lewendal responds that he has many rentals and none of them have 3 cars, but have 3 bedrooms. Perhaps we can push towards smaller and more efficient cars and homes. He thinks it could be a push towards using Streamline more. 10:10:02 AM Discussion closed Motion: I move to approved reducing parking requirements to two spaces per three bedroom dwelling unit for income-certified, homeowner-occupied units as outlined in the July 1, 2015 Draft of the Affordable Housing Incentives. Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd Board Member - Mary Martin : Disapprove Board Member - David J Magistrelli: Absent Board Member - Kevin Thane: Disapprove Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Approve Board Member - Kris Keller: Absent Board Member - Melvin Howe: Disapprove Motion Fails Page 7 E) 10:10:53 AM Mrs. Thomas presents Action Item E: I move to approve the reduced parkland dedication for affordable housing units to: 1,000 square feet per 90% AMI unit, 870 square feet per 80% AMI unit and 650 square feet per 70% AMI unit. 10:12:28 AM Open Public Comment Mr. Howe asks for clarification on if the cash-in-lieu option is still available. George Thompson – he said he likes the approach, but perhaps we apply it to all homes based on size, not just affordability. Perhaps we should instead contribute the cash-in-lieu to buying land for a park instead of upgrades for existing parks. The city may do a better job of connectivity than a builder can. Jeff Rupp – Looking for clarification on what a unit is. He feels we’re already meeting needs of the 80% group with townhomes and condos. He feels we need to clarify that these rules are for detached homes, since we are already meeting those AMI goals with condos and townhomes. 10:16:23 AM Motion I move to approve the reduced parkland dedication for affordable housing units to: 1,000 square feet per 90% AMI unit, 870 square feet per 80% AMI unit and 650 square feet per 70% AMI unit. Board Member - Kevin Thane: Motion Board Member - Anders Lewendal: 2nd Board Discussion: Mr. Thane agrees with Mr. Thompson that we should tie the amount of park land to cost or size of home. Mr. Lewendal feels that parks are important. He expressed that perhaps builders aren’t the best to be making these parks. Instead the City should collect money based on the cost of the title and use those funds to build their own parks. Dedicating park land is a huge strain on making a home affordable. Mr. Thane said that there are many piecemeal parks – so, it could be beneficial to do it the way that Mr. Lewendal suggested. 10:22:00 AM Motion and Vote: I move to approve the reduced parkland dedication for affordable housing units to: 1,000 square feet per 90% AMI unit, 870 square feet per 80% AMI unit and 650 square feet per 70% AMI unit. Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Motion Board Member - Kevin Thane: 2nd Board Member - Mary Martin : Disapprove Board Member - David J Magistrelli: Absent Board Member - Kevin Thane: Approve Board Member - Anders Lewendal: Approve Board Member - Kris Keller: Absent Board Member - Melvin Howe: Approve Page 8 Motion Passes E. 10:22:26 AM FYI/Discussion 10:30 10:22:49 AM – Mrs. Thomas presents a map of City owned properties. 10:23:39 AM – Mrs. Thomas makes a presentation on Whitehall, Montana. Green housing that is offered as affordable housing. Mrs. Thomas gave board members the option to visit the homes with them. 10:27:28 AM – Affordable housing program will be brought to the City Commission on September 21st. 10:28:17 AM – Mrs. Thomas will not be here for the next meeting. Board members discussed whether we will change the date. They agreed to set a new date for the meeting. 10:29:18 AM Mr. Thane sent board members information QAP and would like to get that on the agenda for next time. F. 10:30:20 AM Adjourn 11:00 Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board meetings are open to all members of the public. If you have a disability that requires assistance, please contact our ADA Coordinator, James Goehrung, at 582- 3232 (TDD 582-2301).