HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-22 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES
June 22, 2011
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Richard Billin called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Council Chambers located at 1175 East
Main St. Ashland, OR 97520.
Commissioners Present: Council Liaison
Nikki Pons Mike Morris
Ben Scott
Barb Barasa Staff Present:
Richard Billin Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
James Dills Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
Commissioners Absent:
Jody Waters
Regina Ayars, excused
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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Barasa/Pons m/s to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2011 regular Housing Commission meeting. Voice Vote:
All Ayes, minutes were approved as presented.
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Dills/Barasa m/s to approve the minutes of the May 25 2011 Housing Commission meeting. Voice Vote: All
Ayes, minutes were approved as presented.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one spoke
PEDESTRIAN PLACES PROJECT
Brandon Goldman, City Senior Planner, gave a presentation of the Transportation System Plan that Pubic Works is
currently working on. Goldman wanted to update the Housing Commission on how this project could impact
Housing. The overall objectives of the project is to promote higher transit use as well as provide alternative means
of transportation looking at specific projects for enhancing the Transportation System City wide.
Goldman explained that a Pedestrian Place is defined as a location in which you can live and work, where there is
a concentration of pedestrian activity and where people generally congregate. These places are generally located
at areas where transit is available allowing people to get around without a car.
The three pedestrian connections the Transportation Commission is looking at are;
Walker Avenue and Ashland Street
Tolman Creek Road and Ashland Street
N. Mountain Avenue and E. Main Street
The Planning Department is looking at this plan in a broader way. How can these parcels be developed and how
will this fit into Housing.
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MANUFACTURED DWELLINGS AND PARKS
Goldman was available as a resource to answer any Planning questions that the Commissioners might have
regarding the current Land Use Code for Manufactured Homes. There are two different areas to look at regarding
Manufactured Dwellings.
Manufactured homes that sit on individual lots in an R-2 and R-3 Multi-family Zone are permitted though subject to
some criteria such as size, materials, skirting around the base, potential for dormers, pitch of roof, garage etc. The
Ordinance also discusses putting the homes on property that is in relatively level zones and compatible with
neighborhood Single Family Homes. Manufactured Homes are not permitted in Historic Districts and must meet
State Building Codes.
The other land use Code pertaining to Manufactured Homes addresses the creation of new Manufactured Home
Parks. A subdivision where multiple units are constructed on one parent parcel are required to go through an
outline plan review approval that eventually gets reviewed by the Planning Commission.
The Commissioners wondered if it would be feasible to use the remaining Clay Street property for affordable
Manufactured Homes. The main issue with this is density. It would make more sense to build two story units which
would accomplish more units per acre then Manufactured Homes could.
CLAY STREET OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL
Reid said the staff is looking for a recommendation from the Housing Commission from the list below or a new one
that the Commission would like to make.
Land bank, keep it until such time that the market turns around and the City could sell it.
Sell the land for Market Value
Solicit a proposal for an affordable/mixed-income development.
Goldman acknowledged at the last Planning Commission meeting Groundworks, formerly RVCDC, withdrew their
application for the development of the 14,000 square foot property at the end of Chitwood Lane. The project was
going to be five affordable Housing units in which the Housing Commission initially recommended through a
Request for Qualification process (RFQ). The decision to not move forward was due to a number of reasons;
contentious planning application process with the surrounding neighborhood and appraisal value just to name two.
Basically the price Groundworks would pay to build the units is higher then the appraised value of the finished units.
Groundworks Board Members made the decision to focus on existing developments to make sure they go forward
with those projects. They did not want the responsibility of the Chitwood property along with the current projects
which have already exceeded budget.
The Commissioners discussed the process of issuing an RFP. Since there are a limited number of affordable
Housing providers it was suggested to contact each possible applicant before issuing an RFP to confirm they are
not too busy to take on another project.
Barasa/Pons m/s to issue a Request for Proposal to City Council for the Chitwood property.
After a discussion the Commissioners made an amendment to the motion.
Billin/Barasa m/s that the Commission issue a Request for Proposal for the Chitwood Property with the perimeters
that they be ownership or rental units at 120 and below AMI. Voice Vote: All Ayes, motion passed unanimously.
Scott/Dill m/s that the Commission issue a RFP for the Clay Street Property with the same parameters as the
Chitwood proposal. Voice Vote: All Ayes, motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND UPDATES
Liaison Reports
Council – Morris reported that Council is still working on the Budget and Land Use appeals.
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Parks – No report
School Board –No reports
Planning – The next Planning Commission meeting will be a joint meeting with the Transportation
Commission and RVTD to discuss different modes of transportation, shuttles, express routes, rail, cable
cars, etc.
Transportation – No report
SOU- No report
Staff – Reid reported that today was Project Homeless Connect. Though quite a few less attended then
last year it was considered successful. About 270 people were served. Reid said all went well and
expected television news coverage this evening as well as an article in today’s paper. The organizers did
purchase bus passes to give out but pets are not allowed on RVTD busses which may have created a
problem for some attendees.
Ashland Community Land Trust will be having their ribbon cutting ceremony for the Bridge Street project
next week and everyone is invited to attend.
It was suggested to add a section on the agenda for Commissioner announcements. Scott made an
announcement about a project called Clean Energy Works Oregon. It was started in the Portland area as a
low cost loan program to help people with energy efficiency upgrades such as windows and insulation. The
program offers cash rebates ahead of time with no fees, closing costs or deposits. In our area it is financed
through Southern Oregon Credit Union.
JUNE 22, 2011 MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Barasa will bring the letter she wrote regarding vulnerable properties to the next meeting for review and approval.
Dills has prepared a rough draft for the Housing Trust Fund and will email it to the Commissioners
Goldman might be available to speak about the Buildable Lands Inventory preliminary draft.
Quorum Check – Billin will be gone
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
Homeless Task Force Meeting – July 19, 2011: 10:30-12:00 Housing Authority Conference Room 2231, Table
Rock Rd, Medford
Next Housing Commission Regular Meeting
4:30-6:30 PM; July 27, 2011, Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Schwendener
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