HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-26 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
August 26, 2010
CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chair Regina Ayars called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. at the Community Development and Engineering Services
Building located at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR 97520.
Commissioners Present: Council Liaison
Nikki Pons Eric Navickas
Regina Ayars
Richard Billin Staff Present:
Jody Waters Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
Commissioners Absent:
Nick Frost
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Waters/Billin m/s to approve the minutes from the July 22, 2010 meeting. The minutes of the July 22, 2010 meeting were
approved as presented.
Billin/Waters m/s to add a liaison report discussion to this agenda.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one was present to speak
REPORTS AND UPDATES
Liaison Reports
Council – Navickas reported that the City Council approved the Croman Mill development proposal. The Council did
not approve the fee wavier for Housing Authority of Jackson County regarding the Snowberry Brook project. The
Council discussed the recent Oak Knoll fire which has brought to the forefront the issue of homelessness and their
needs.
Parks – No report
School Board – No report
Planning – No report
SOU- The Commission still needs a SOU liaison. Pons and Waters will get together to discuss the possibilities.
Staff – Reid did hear from a SOU student who is interested in being a liaison who has experienced discrimination
himself. Reid attended the open house for the HOPE house, a transitional shelter built by the Salvation Army. They
have twelve units three of which are already occupied.
OVERVIEW OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORDINANCES
Brandon Goldman, City Planner, reviewed existing City Ordinances and how they relate to affordable housing. Everything that
the City does has to be compliant with Oregon State law. The State provides a goal for housing that all communities encourage
a variety of housing types to address the housing needs of people of different incomes. That is the basis for zoning and why
the City has multiply zoning types around the city such as; multi-family, high density and low density multi-family, single
family, mixed use above Commercial.
The City of Ashland Land Use Ordinance has within provisions that relate to Affordable Housing:
Mixed Use Development
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 26, 2010
Density Bonuses
Accessory Residential Units
Annexations
Zone Changes
Condo Conversions
Croman Mill District
Goldman said the Public Works department is working on an eighteen month project to update the Transportation System
Plan. The Transportation Commission is reviewing how vehicles, pedestrian, bicycles, rails and buses move throughout the
Community and serve our population. The Planning Department was awarded funds to look at pedestrian nodes where the
City could apply specific zoning overlays to encourage transportation oriented mixed use development. These types of
developments often encourage the inclusion of affordable housing types and provide better affordability through improved
access to employment and transportation. The three areas that will be reviewed are:
1. Corner of Ashland Street and Tolman Creek Road
2. Corner of East Main Street and Mountain Street
3. Corner of Walker Street and Ashland Street.
NEW CHAIR ELECTION
Waters/Pons m/s to elect Ayars for Commission Chair and Billin for Vice Chair. Voice Vote: All ayes, motion passed to take
effect immediately.
The Housing Commission would like to have one of their members attend or listen to each of the following Commission
meetings and bring back a report.
Pons, Planning Commission
Waters & Billin will share responsibility for the Parks Commission
Ayars, Transportation Commission
NEW MEETING TIME & DATE DISCUSSION AND DECISION
After a discussion the Commissioners decided to have the Housing Commission meetings changed to the fourth Wednesday of
each month at the Council Chambers located at 1175 E Main. The meeting will continue to start at 4:30 p.m.
DISCUSSION: HOUSING AUTHORITY FEE WAIVER COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
The Housing Commission sent a letter to the City Council recommending that the fees for Jackson County Housing Authority,
Snowberry Brook project be waived. Navickas reported that the council felt that City has already contributed a significant
amount of City funds to this project. Some councilors seem fundamentally opposed to the government getting involved in
Affordable Housing issues, stated Navickas.
The Commissioners discussed their disappointment regarding the fact that the Council did not take their recommendation. It
was acknowledged that no member of the Housing Commission was present at the Council meeting to express their support.
Navickas confirmed it is always helps at the Council meetings if someone from the Commission is present to represent them.
As Chair Ayars is committing to attend any Council or Planning meeting where the Housing Commission has put forward
something or have a definite position or action. When she is not available the commissioners agreed to designate someone as
her replacement.
SEPTEMBER MEETING 22nd, 2010 MEETING AGENDA ITEMS
Presentation on the CDBG Program and review the CAPER
Action from the Homeless Ad Hoc Committee
Retreat discussion, date, place, time and goals
Homeless discussion
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINS
Billin may not be present at the next meeting.
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Next Housing Commission Regular Meeting
4:30-6:30 PM Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at the Council Chambers located at 1175 East Main, Ashland.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Carolyn Schwendener
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