HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-07 Housing MIN
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
MINUTES
December 17, 2008
Before the meeting was called to order the Commissioners had a reception for Carol Voisin honoring her years of
service on the Housing Commission. She was presented with a certificate of appreciation. She will begin her
position as City Councilor in January of 2009.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Bill Smith called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. at the Community Development and Engineering Services
Building, 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR 97520.
Commissioners Present: SOU Liaison: Alexandra Amarotico,
absent
Nick Frost
Graham Lewis, absent Council Liaison: Alice Hardesty
Steve Hauck
Bill Smith Staff Present::
Aaron Benjamin Linda Reid, Housing Specialist
Regina Ayars, absent Carolyn Schwendener, Account Clerk
Richard Billin, absent
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND AGENDA CHANGES
Smith tabled the homeless liaison discussion until the January meeting when Commission Lewis would be present.
Frost/Benjamin m/s to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2008 Housing Commission meeting with two
spelling corrections. Voice Vote: Approved.
PUBLIC FORUM
No one spoke
PUBLIC HEARING-2008 CDBG ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AMENDMENT
Reid reviewed the process for the Action Plan Amendment. Once the City Council decides what to do with the
Community Development Block Grant money an Action Plan is drawn up and sent to HUD. A public hearing is held
at that time and then HUD approves how the money is spent. Because the City did not spend the money in the last
go around an Action Plan Amendment was put together stating the new activity. The City Council and the Housing
Commission has awarded $345,000 to the Housing Authority of Jackson County for public facility improvements.
The newspaper has been notified of the public hearing and the City will accept public comments at this evenings
meeting or in writing until December 31, 2008. Any comments received will be sent up to HUD and await their
approval.
Smith opened up the meeting for public comment. No one came forth to speak.
The Commissioners discussed the amendment making spelling and grammatical corrections.
Hardesty/Hauck m/s to accept the 2008 CDBG Action Plan Amendment as edited. Voice Vote: Approved
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Sub-committee Reports
Finance – No report
Education – No report
Land Use – No report
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
1
MINUTES
December 17, 2008
Liaison Reports
Council – Hardesty commented that Shaun Donovan, the newly appointed secretary of HUD looks like a
marvelous person and they were lucky to have him. He has done an outstanding job in New York City and
is committed to affordable housing as well as cleaning up HUD.
Parks Commission – No report
School Board – Frost reported that the Governor’s budget came in allowing for a 2.5% increase in
educational funding for each year. Ashland usually runs at about 5% increase, consequently the school
board announced that they will probably be having lay offs.
Planning Commission – Benjamin reported that the thirteen unit condominium on 2300 Siskiyou Blvd was
approved. Some neighbors objected to the high density that this will create though it was well within the
allowable amount stated Benjamin.
HOUSING COMMISSION DRAFT ORDINANCE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION
Benjamin acknowledged that the Housing Commission was given authorization to become part of the pre-app
process. He believes it would be a great idea to somehow find a mechanism to become a strong advisory to the
Planning Department early on. When opportunities come along like Coming Attractions located at 2200 Ashland
Street he would like to see the Housing Commission have an opportunity to get involved.
The Commissioners discussed possible ways in which they could give input on upcoming Planning Actions and
become more pro active. They discussed expanding the pre-app parameters and talked about what criteria could
trigger reviews by the Housing Commission.
Reid reminded the Commissioners that the City Council gave the Housing Commission the ability to review pre-
apps and then they wanted someone to come back within a year and report on how that it was working. The City
Council was reluctant to grant new powers for the formal application process. Perhaps the next step is to report on
how that pre-app process is working. Reid reminded the Commissioners that as individual citizens they always
have the right to go to the Planning Commissioners meetings and share their concerns about any project and ask
them to include affordable housing.
The Commissioners discussed the ordinance changes.
CLAY STREET AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS
The Housing Authority is anticipating submitting their formal application in January. Currently they are working on
their storm water run off plan as well as their wetlands mitigation plan.
Benjamin asked Hardesty if with the recent publicity about the potential City budgetary problems could affect the
City’s contribution to the Clay Streets property. Hardesty did not feel it would be a problem. Reid said the City’s
purchase agreement is closing right now and should be done within the next day or two.
Hardesty said if the Parks Department decides they don’t want the land the Housing Commission should then take
a big look at what could be done with the land. It’s a tremendous opportunity and would have to be some kind of
mixed income development in order to pay back the $620,000. Alice suggested approaching the school district,
SOU, and the hospital with a partnership idea to develop employer assisted housing on either just the land on the
south side which would provide 18 to 20 units, or dependent on the parks decision the whole thing could be
available for development. If the entire property were available for development then a comprehensive plan could
be created to get the best solar orientation of all the buildings.
JANUARY AGENDA ITEMS
Homeless Liaison discussion
Ask Brandon Goldman to attend and discuss the pre-application process and parameters
Reid will resend out the retreat information
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS
th
Tuesday January 6, 2009, City Council Chambers 7:00-10:30 PM – Mayors “State of the City” Address
Next Regular Housing Commission meeting will be January 22, 2009 at 4:30 PM
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by, Carolyn Schwendener
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
2
MINUTES
December 17, 2008