Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-03-21 Housing MIN ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 21, 1996 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jack Ware at 4:00 p.m.. Other Commissioners present were Mahanay, Vaughn, Tiffany, Hauck, Hill, Medinger, Kenefick, and Sea. There were no absent members. Staff present were Madding and Yates. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Hill moved and Vaughn seconded to approve the minutes of the February 28, 1996 meeting. The minutes were unanimously approved. DEMOGRAPHICS & AFFORDABLE HOUSING Demographics Kelly reviewed the Oregon Census Abstract with the Commissioners. Various items noted: Population by age-the median age in 1980 was 27 and now is it 34. Rent - $400-$500 a month is the major rent range. It was the opinion of several Commissioners that the less expensive rentals are advertised by word of mouth and rent very quickly. Home Prices-the average home price is about $163,000. Tiffany suggested it is necessary to look at the percentage of median income in comparison to average home prices. Inflation needs to be calculated in. Family Income-in 1979, median income was $17,484 (average) and now it is about $32,000. Medinger noted the median income in Ashland may be higher and there is a bigger factor skewing it; those that move here that are equity rich and are of lower income but can afford more expensive housing. In summary, the demographics seem to indicate Ashland is becoming more affluent with the split in income becoming wider and we are losing people who have less. Hauck mentioned that the Community Attitude Survey contained information about those that work here but do not live her. The Affordable Housing Efforts - 1990 and again in 1995 In 1990 many people became concerned that the community was changing in a way that was not palatable. Councilor Rob Winthrop spearheaded an effort to try and understand how to keep people here and provide housing opportunities for people who have lived here a long time. An Affordable Housing Committee was formed and met for about a year. There were several policy recommendations that came from the committee. In 1995, the Affordable Housing Committee was resurrected to see what goals had been reached. In 1990, the group looked at ways to inspire the market (through land use ways) to create affordable housing as opposed to direct subsidies. They recommended and the city enacted an accessory residential unit provision in the Land Use Ordinance. To date, approximately 23 units have become legal or have been newly constructed. Madding surveyed the 23 owners and received 10 responses indicating an average rent of $400 per month with an average square footage of 500 square feet. FUTURE TOPIC: ACCESSORY RESIDENTIAL UNITS Notes: exempt units from SDC's $ help with upgrade and renovating what to do w/illegal units don't want subdivider that makes subdivision w/accessory units should units be owner occupied most requests have been called up by the neighbors for a public hearing long lots are conducive for accessory units Another of the committee's policies was to give a density bonus for affordable housing. Mostly, it has been used for single family residential detached units. This was a way to get the private sector to build some entry level homes. Madding showed slides of some houses that took advantage of the density bonus program. RVCDC houses on Garfield - established housing trust fund. Developments off Fordyce and between Oak and Patterson on Crispin (about 1,000 sq. ft., approx. price $90,00-100,000). FUTURE TOPIC: ARE AGENCIES SETTING UP PROGRAMS THAT CANNOT NOT BE ADMINISTERED? SHOULD THIS BE PART OF THE HOUSING OFFICER'S JOB? The committee also talked about affordable housing requirements for approval of annexations. Before the new ordinance, an applicant would have to show proof that specifically zoned land was needed in the city. After the 1990 housing report was done, the annexation criteria was changed to allow for affordable housing as a way to annex land. An applicant has to prove a need for additional land in the city or an applicant would have to do affordable housing. If affordable housing is done, need does not have to proven. If an applicant is willing to do 25 percent affordable housing that meets the city's criteria and they meet all the other criteria (adequate transportation, etc.) except the need, then they can be annexed. The annexation process goes through the Planning Commission and then to the City Council. FUTURE TOPIC: AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CONNECTION WITH ANNEXATIONS Notes: should it be a requirement of any annexation to provide affordable housing or money in-kind that would go to the housing fund to be used to purchase lots in another area should every application be required to show need pull the 25% affordable housing requirement on the annexation criteria (5a) and make it a separate criteria (6) reasoning behind criteria the way it is written -- there was such a need for affordable housing that affordable housing became a public need want to separate affordable housing from the politics of annexation ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION 2 MINUTES MARCH 21, 1996 the program that is in place works pretty well Some other items from the 1990 report and echoed in the 1995 report were a rental assistance program and pursuit of outside funding with non-profit organizations. Ware noted that many of the funding sources are drying up and the Commission should direct their efforts to where they will be most productive. Rogue Valley Community Development - 9 units built Jackson County Housing Authority - 4 units built Southern Oregon State College - 30 units built From 1990 to 1995 - about 28 homes built under affordable housing program NEXT MEETING - March 27, 1996 at 4:00 p.m. Each member can talk about their particular area of interest. Continue the strategic plan and establish some goals. OTHER Chautauqua Trace Townhouse (annexation request on North Main) has asked for a letter from the Housing Commission supporting their project. Hill moved to make a written communication to the City Council supporting the project. Hill withdrew her motion and the Commission decided instead to have Madding bring ACCESS's proposal to the next meeting for review. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION 3 MINUTES MARCH 21, 1996