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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-28 Housing PACKET Ashland Housing Commission Retreat March 28, 2009 Siskiyou Room of the Community Development Building (1:00) Goal Review and Discussion (40 min) a. Review previous years goals and accomplishments b. Review 2007 Council Goals & 2009 Planning Commission Goals c. Additions or deletions i. Fair Housing Ordinance for Students ii. Transit Oriented Districts (A-1 &A-2 of Affordable Housing Action Plan Strategies) iii. Consolidated Plan (1:40) Brainstorm and Refine goals(20 minutes) (2:00) Break and Goal prioritization (dot exercise) (20 minutes) (2:20) Review Goal selections for recommendation to Council (20 min) (2:40) Motion to forward HC goals to Council (5 min) (2:45) HC Ordinance Review (15 min) (3:00) Commissioner suggested discussion items (30 min) (3:30)Adjournment Please bring your Housing Commission Binders and your copy of the Housing Work Plan Goal Setting Housing Commission 03-19-2009 A goal is a general statement of what the Housing Commission intends to Accomplish. As the Commission receives direction from the City Council on broad policy issues this goal setting process will be useful in advance of the Councils Goal Setting to forward items to the City Council for their consideration in establishing the 2009-2010 Goals for the City as a whole. In developing annual goals it is important to ensure that the selected Goals provide an evaluation measure to determine what has been accomplished over the year. Goals should be: Short– A goal should be brief and to the point so that it can be committed to memory. If a goal is more than a short paragraph, it may actually be two separate goals. Achievable – Too often the reason we fail is because the initial goal was not realistic or attainable. Set goals that are realistic given available resources and time. They should be high but not so high that you can never attain them. Measurable– Don’t use vague or unclear terms in your goals. Make your goals quantifiable. Time sensitive – Your goal will be broad so you will need to create objectives that determine the exact action that will be taken to achieve the goals. The objectives will have a set starting time and a definitive completion date. This will help you stay focused and will lead to success as well as distinguish between long term (multi-year) and annual goals. Goal Setting Process I. What is the Commission’s purpose? (5 min) The mission of the Ashland Housing Commission is to encourage housing that is available and affordable to a wider range of city residents and preserves the diversity and character of the community by providing opportunities to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors, encouragement of financial entities to support housing programs in the city, and coordination of housing and supportive services programs. II. Brainstorm (10 min) • Examining past goals and needs for relevance, which have been accomplished? Which are pressing? Which can be implemented in the short term? Which are long term goals? III. Refine brainstorming to create goals (20 min) •Suggest 2007-2008 Goals - list suggested goals on sheets IV. Refine Priorities (20 min) •Discuss suggested goals, their feasibility, resource needs, and urgency (10 min) •Of the suggested goals place three dots on the individual goals you prefer to forward to Council (5 min) Red dot = #1 Priority Green dot = # 2 Priority Yellow = #3 Priority •Tally dots and determine priority goals. (5 min) VI. Review Goal selections for recommendation to Council (5 min) •The Chair will be responsible to articulate the priority goals for inclusion in a letter to the City Council identifying the full Commissions priority goals. Housing Commission Annual Goals 2007 The following goals and associated priority rankings were identified by the Housing Commission on June 28,2007 in an effort to forward to the City Council specific items for consideration in establishing the Council goals for the period of July 2007 through December 2008 . The Affordable Housing Action Plan provides the adopted housing goals however the Housing Commission added specific goals they deemed necessary to support affordable housing preservation or creation. The listing provided below does not include the array of Action Plan items but instead included the Affordable Housing Action Plan by reference. Priority Goal points Collaborate with Staff and the City Council to identify a piece of city 14 land to accommodate housing for a whole range of City employees 12 Complete the Housing Trust Fund (framework and funding source) 4 Complete the Annexation Ordinance 3 Develop an RFP for housing above an identified parking lot Establish a Rental Assistance Program and/or Down payment 1 Assistance Program Provide assistance to non-profit organizations that assist the 1 homeless and those at risk of homelessness 1 Examine the feasibility of zoning incentives to create rental housing Identification of land to purchase with proceeds from the sale of the (no dots) Strawberry Lane property Limit the development of for-purchase housing on multifamily zoned (no dots) property Raise awareness through establishing a public information program (no dots) (educational goal) (no dots) Examine expanding financing options – bonds, tax credits (no dots) Document lessons from Lithia Lot (no dots) Build relations with the Planning Commission (no dots) Create a plan to preserve vulnerable properties The numerical value to the left of each identified goal above was derived through a selection process where commissioners had three colored dots to apply to their top three priority uses. Red: first priority = 3 pts Green: second priority = 2 pts Yellow: third priority = 1 pt. Affordable Housing Action Plan Strategies (adopted May 2003) Status as of June 2008 Strategy 1-Funding A. Facilitate the Process of applying for Ongoing funds by Non-Profits Underway - Platform Development nearly complete B. Form Housing Trust Fund Underway -Second Phase of the HTF Development C. Develop long term Funding Sources D. Convene Employers group to develop Ashland Employer Assisted Housing Workshop 12-2005 Workforce Housing Summit 2-2006 employer assistance approaches Strategy 2 -Reduce Development and Operating Costs Completed A1. SDC Deferral Deferral Program changes (2005-06) No limit yet established A2. Limit SDC waiver total Completed B1. Reduce Planning, Utility fees Eliminated Community Development and Engineering Fees (2005-06) No limit yet established B2. Determine annual limit of fees waived Strategy 3 -Land Use Has only been done on a site by site basis, a comprehensive review and A1.Identify Land for rezoning rezoning has not occurred Lithia Lot proposal was originally considered at length. A re-evaluation of that A2. Identify target (city owned) site for site or others more suitable for a larger scale project to take advantage of tax vertical housing credits could be examined. DLCD task force now charged to look at accelerated UGB Expansions for A3. Feasibility of UGB amendment affordable housing (2008) B. Restrict Single Family in Multifamily Initial scoping work done in 2005-2006 but has not gone forward. Measure 37 implications stalled this item. zones The Housing Commission made a recommendation that the Land Use C.1 ARUs as permitted use in Single Family Ordinance revisions proposed in 2007-2008 include ARUs as a permitted use in zones Single Family Zones, but that provision was not included in the final revisions. C.2 Reduce maximum lot size coverage No action to date requirements. D.Allow or Require a percentage of small No action to date lots in new subdivisions. Strategy 4 -Preserve and Create Affordable Housing Ongoing – see Housing Projects section A. Work with non-profits B. Require long term affordability for fee Completed waivers (IE 30 years) Strategy 5 -Develop organizational Capacity Completed A Create Housing Coordinator Position Strategy 6 Build Understanding and Support Ongoing Work completed in recent years includes the Housing Notebook (www.ashland.or.us/housingnotebook) , RVTV shows/videos, flyers, Summits, A. Public information program (Education) workshops, website development, and other activities to promote public awareness and access to information . 1 ASHLAND PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 24, 2009 CALL TO ORDER Chair Michael Dawkins called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 East Main Street. Commissioners Present: Staff Present: Michael Dawkins Bill Molnar, Community Development Director Mike Morris Brandon Goldman, Senior Planner Debbie Miller Richard Appicello, City Attorney Pam Marsh April Lucas, Administrative Assistant Melanie Mindlin Dave Dotterrer Larry Blake Absent Members: Council Liaison: Tom Dimitre Eric Navickas ANNOUNCEMENTS New Planning Commissioner Larry Blake was introduced to the group. Community Development Director Bill Molnar noted the Council’s approval of the Croman Mill Redevelopment Plan and indicated staff and the Planning Commission would soon begin working on implementation. PUBLIC FORUM Julie Norman/596 Helman/Spoke regarding the herbicide issue in the proposed Water Resource Protection Zones ordinance. Ms. Norman encouraged the City to steadily reduce the use of herbicides. She stated she is a member of the Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides and explained this group has worked with cities, colleges, and agencies throughout the Northwest to perform steady transitions away from chemicals. She submitted written material to the Commission for their review, and stated her goal is to help make the ordinance precise, enforceable, and headed toward reducing herbicide use. Angie Thusius/897 Beach/Also spoke regarding herbicide use. Ms. Thusius shared her concerns regarding herbicides and explained many herbicides that were once deemed safe are not recommended for use anymore. She commented on the glyphosate product, which is referenced in the proposed Water Resource Protection Zones ordinance, and encouraged the City to do more research before this herbicide is allowed. Ms. Thusius noted that 17 cities throughout the Northwest have parks that are either transitioning away from herbicide use or are already herbicide free, and noted the maintenance costs for these parks have not increased. PUBLIC HEARINGS A.PLANNING ACTION: 2008-02013 APPLICANT: City of Ashland DESCRIPTION: Public Hearing regarding Ordinance Amendments to the Sign Regulation Chapter (18.96) of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance, relating to changes in the type, size, number and materials of signage allowed within th residential and commercial zones. (This is a continuation from the February 10 meeting. The Public Hearing is closed and the Planning Commission is in deliberations. ) Senior Planner Brandon Goldman reviewed the recent changes to the ordinance that address the comments received at the February 10 public hearing. Ashland Planning Commission February 24, 2009 Page 1 of 3 1)Wall Graphics. Staff had initially recommended the prohibition on wall graphics be removed, but following the concerns raised at the public hearing, staff is now recommending the prohibition language be retained in the ordinance. 2)Portable Signs. Staff is recommending new language that limits the placement of portable signs to within 10 ft. of the business entrance. 3)Flags. Mr. Goldman stated if the Commission wants to allow Tibetan prayer flags, staff recommends inserting language for wind signs with specific limitations on height, location and size. 4)3D Signs. It was clarified “fiberglass” has been inserted as an allowable durable material. 5)Public Art. Mr. Goldman explained if the public art provision is removed from the Sign Code, there is a strong rational to allow for review of public art when it is altering the façade of a historic building. Staff is proposing additional language to AMC 18.72.030 which would state “or includes the installation of public art.” This would require the addition of public art on a historical building to have a review process that includes review by the Historic Commission before it comes to the Planning Commission. Mr. Goldman commented on the signage allowance for buildings with multiple frontages, and clarified the draft ordinance rdthstnd includes an allowance for the 3 and 4 frontage to have half the signage amount that would be allowed for the 1 or 2 frontage. Mindlin expressed concern with this language and felt equal signage should be allowed for each side of the building when there are different businesses housed inside. Marsh voiced her support for the proposed language. She noted they are expanding the signage amount that is currently allowed and felt this was a good compromise. It was noted that Brent Thompson, who is the citizen who originally raised this issue, has indicated his support for the provision provided by staff.Mr. rdth Molnar used the back wall in the Council Chamber to give a realistic example of how much signage the 3 or 4 side of a building would get given the proposed language. Mr. Goldman clarified the provision that would allow for Sound Peace’s prayer flags. He noted the limit for free standing signs and clarified wind signs are classified as portable signs and the flags would need to be taken down each night. He added staff did not want to create a window of opportunity for various banner signs and the intent of the language is to create a narrow window to accommodate a narrow circumstance. Comment was made expressing concern with the proposed language, indicating it would not accommodate the Sound Peace prayer flags. Mr. Goldman suggested Sound Peace would likely need to lower the flags on the pole in order to come into compliance with the proposed language. Comment was made expressing concern with whether the proposed 3D provision would successfully accommodate the Alfredo statue outside Wiley’s Pasta. Mr. Goldman commented on statue’s 4 in. base and indicated the business owner may need to sink the base two inches in order to bring Alfredo into compliance. Commissioner Dotterrer/Marsh m/s to recommend to the City Council the approval of the amendments as presented to Chapter 18.96 and 18.72.030 of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance.Roll Call Vote: Commissioners Dotterrer, Marsh, Miller, Mindlin and Dawkins, YES. Motion passed 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS A.Planning Commission Goals Commissioner Mindlin noted the City Council will be discussing their goals next month and encouraged the Planning Commission to have a discussion on this so that they can provide input during that process. Dotterrer voiced his support for this discussion and stated the Planning Commission should provide input on land use planning goals and have the Council make a determination during their goal setting on which priorities they would like the Commission to work on. Staff noted the following planning related City Council goals that have not yet been completed: Water Resource Protection Zones Ordinance Develop Strategy for the Railroad Property Downtown Planning Process Affordable Housing Goal Ashland Planning Commission February 24, 2009 Page 2 of 3 Mr. Molnar also noted the TSP update and explained the Planning Commission will have a substantial role in this project as well. He voiced his support for the Commission providing input to the Council, but reminded the Commission of the economic situation the City is in and noted the recent 20% reduction in Planning staff. The Commission continued their discussion on possible goals they would like to bring forward to the City Council. Several suggestions were made, including the following: Encourage Council to complete Visioning Process and offer the Planning Commission’s involvement in anyway that would be helpful. Revision of the land use areas of the Comprehensive Plan Transportation Planning Water Infiltration Changing Design Standards to incorporate Solar Orientation issues Complete second portion of Sustainability Work Groups task (determine what other government agencies are doing) Implement Croman Mills Redevelopment Plan Mr. Molnar commented that staff envisions a number of these aspects (water infiltration, solar orientation, sustainability) being addressed as part of the Croman Mills plan. He added the policies that are developed could be applied city wide, and not just the Croman property. Council Liaison Eric Navickas voiced his support for the Planning Commission providing input on the Council’s goals and stated he would share the Commission’s desires with the Council. Commissioners Marsh/Dotterrer m/s to recommend the following goals to the City Council: 1) Strategic Vision/Visioning, and offer the Planning Commission’s involvement in anyway that is helpful, 2) Transportation Planning if the TSP goes forward, and incorporating a planning vision and active participation in that process, 3) Continue with the Croman planning process and incorporate potential issues such as solar orientation and water infiltration design standards, and 4) Indicate the Planning Commission’s desire to specifically look at sustainability in terms of researching what other municipal entities have done. DISCUSSION: Mr. Molnar commented on the implementation phase of the Croman Plan and recommended the Planning Commission and City Council come to an agreement on the scope and timeline early in the process. Miller voiced concern with the number of jobs the consultants have proposed for the Croman property and stated if they are going to address sustainability issues with this plan they need to have an awareness of their limitations in terms of capacity. Comment was made that the Commission will be able to have a more detailed discussion on these items at a later date, and the motion on the table is the recommendation of these items as goals. Roll Call Vote: Commissioners Blake, Dotterrer, Marsh, Miller, Mindlin, Morris and Dawkins, YES. Motion passed 7-0. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, April Lucas, Administrative Assistant Ashland Planning Commission February 24, 2009 Page 3 of 3 City of Ashland, Oregon - 2007-08 Council GoalsPage 1of 1 City of Ashland, Oregon / Document Center / 2007-08 Council Goals 2007-08 Council Goals Council Goals 2007-08 The following were adopted by the City Council on July 18, 2007 Given Implement Community Policing Complete Planning Process for Croman MillSite Complete the Arts Master Plan Provide timely response to the AFR w/in the USFS schedule Work regionally to resolve funding forlibrary Adoption of Riparian Ordinance Goals Develop a City-led Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with an Emphasis on Local Economy, Diverse Population, Risks of Over-Reliance on Single-Industry, and Living Wage Develop City-Employee ContinuityStrategy Develop a City-Wide TransportationStrategy Complete a City-wide VisioningPlan Develop plan to establish fiscal stability, manage costs, prioritize services, and insure key revenuestreams Generate Net Increase in Affordable/Workforce Housing by a Minimum of 200 Units by 2010 Increase Effectiveness in Conservation programs and Identify Specific targets in Energy and Resource Consumption Implement Program to Provide Workforce Housing for City Employees Develop a Long-Term Plan for all City Facilities and Properties Develop a Strategy for the RailroadProperty Complete Downtown PlanningProcess http://www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=10413&Print=True3/20/2009 ORDINANCE NO. __________ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ASHLAND MUNICIPAL CODE, TO INCLUDE CHAPTER 2.18 ESTABLISHING THE ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSIONS, ITS QUORUM, POWERS AND DUTIES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Annotated to show deletions and additions to the code sections being modified. Deletions are lined through and additions are in bold. Additions to the text of Resolution 1995-18 are underlined, deletions are lined through. . WHEREAS, in 1995, the City of Ashland passed Resolution no 1995-25 which established the Ashland Housing Commission. WHEREAS, in 1996, the City of Ashland passed Resolution no 1996-18 which amended resolution NO 1995-25 to modify the Ashland Housing Commission’s duties to eliminate responsibilities regarding the Community Development Block Grant Program. WHEREAS, in 2000, the City of Ashland Housing adopted the 2000-2005 Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan which re- instituted the Housing Commissions role as a recommending body for the Community Development Block Grant Program. WHEREAS, the city desires to repeal resolution no 1996-18 in its entirety, and to establish and ordinance to incorporate the rules governing the establishment of the Housing Commission into the Ashland Municipal Code. THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Resolution 1996-18 is hereby repealed in its entirety and a new ordinance is hereby established governing the Housing Commission as follows: SECTION 1. Section 2.18 is included in the Ashland Municipal Code to add the Housing Commission, its objectives and responsibilities. 2.18 Housing Commission 2.18.010 Established-Membership The Housing Commission is hereby established and shall consist of nine voting members, one of which shall be a city councilor appointed by the Mayor as liaison to the commission and one non-voting ex-officio member who shall be the City Housing Program Specialist. The voting members shall be appointed by the Mayor, with confirmation by the City Council. 2.18.020 Term-Vacancies The tem of eight of the voting members shall be for three years expiring on th April 30 of each year. The term of the council liaison shall be for one year. Any vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, with confirmation by the City Council, for any unexpired portion of the term. The terms of the initial eight members shall be two for one year, three for two years, and three for three years. Any commissioner who is absent from four or more meetings in any one calendar year, without being excused, shall be considered no longer active and the position vacant, and a new commissioner shall be appointed to fill the vacancy. 2.18.030 Quorum-Rules and Regulations Five voting members of the commission shall constitute a quorum. A quorum shall be defined as one-half the number of sitting Commissioners, plus one. But in no case less than three. If there is no quorum, no official Commission business shall be conducted and all matters advertised shall automatically be continued to the next regularly scheduled meeting. At its first meeting of the year the commission shall elect a chair and a vice chair and secretary, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the commission. The commission may make rules and regulations for its governance and shall meet at least once every month. 2.18.040 Mission The mission of the Ashland Housing Commission is to encourage housing that is available and affordable to a wider range of city residents, to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors, to encourage financial entities to support housing programs in the city, to coordinate housing and supportive services programs and to educate the citizenry and promote public knowledge and understanding of the benefits of affordable housing.. 2.18.050 Powers and Duties-Generally The powers and duties of the commission shall be as follows: A. To develop and recommend coordinated housing and supportive services programs; B. To recommend housing and supportive services priorities for the city; C. To review and make recommendations to the City Council on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and related allocations; D. To review and make recommendations to the City Council on the Housing Trust Fund and related allocations; E. To investigate federal, state, county and private funding for implementation of city housing programs; F. To act in an advisory capacity and to provide advice and guidance to the City Council and other commissions on housing related matters; G. To oversee the dissemination of accurate information on the city’s housing supply and affordability; H. To monitor projects funded with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Housing Trust Fund; I. To foster public knowledge and support of official city housing programs 2.18.060 Reports The commission shall submit copies of its minutes to the city council and shall prepare and submit such reports as from time to time may be requested by the Mayor and City Council. 2.08.070 Compensation Voting Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for services rendered. The commission may receive gifts, bequests or devises of property to carry out any of the purposes of this resolution, which shall be segregated from other funds for use by the commission with the approval of the City Council.