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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-10 Housing MIN CITY OF ASHLAND ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES October 10,2005 CALL TO ORDER Vicechair Matt Small called the meeting to order at 5: lOpm. on October lOth, 2005 at the Community Development and Engineering Services Building at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR. Commissioners Present: Matt Small, Vicechair (Acting Chair) Faye Weisler, Chair (via Conference call) Alice Hardesty Don Mackin Bill Street Carol Voisin (arrived 5:35) Liz Peck Cate Hartzell Brandon Goldman, Housing Specialist Darcy Strahan, Oregon Housing and Community Services Council Liaison: Staff Present: Special Guest: GENERAL DISCUSSION Brandon Goldman introduced Darcy Strahan, Regional Advisor to the Director of Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS). Strahan had previously reviewed Ashland's Needs Analysis and Affordable Housing Action Plan and provided the Commission with her impressions of these documents: Housina Needs Analysis the Needs Analysis quantifies the need for Government assisted housing for extremely low income, noting it states 800 units will be needed to serve this population. the 2000 Census information used to develop the plan is under representative given substantial changes in the housing market the Needs Analysis does not quantify the rental needs of people earning between 30-80% Area Median Income the Needs Analysis does not evaluate the housing needs offrremen and teachers (workforce housing) Action Plan the Action Plan identifies specific pieces of land and questioned whether these were being pursued the lack of available land is an impediment to the development of affordable housing in the area a benefactor would be a useful means of aiming to acquire property Goldman discussed the status of the various properties identified in the Action Plan including the former Croman Mill site, the North Mountain area (specifically a property north of the railroad tracks east of North Mountain), and the Railroad property. Shelley Austin of the Ashland Community Land Trust spoke indicating that the property east of Mountain Meadows is another property that includes such a benefactor, Larry Medinger, who would develop all but 14 units on the property as affordable housing if the City would expand the Urban Growth Boundary to annex the property. Benjamin further identified public property as having potential including schools and parks lands. Don Mackin discussed the Croman site and the potential future need for industrial development in Ashland, and indicated that lands near the airport might accommodate such development. Mackin stated that economic development is key and the question is whether the City, County or Chamber has the motivation to fill empty industrial, or commercial, properties. Mackin elaborated that there is a need to subsidize the land price to spur multifamily housing development. Cate Hartzell mentioned that efforts have been undertaken to expand the role of the Chamber ofCornmerce to promote the community as family friendly. Faye Weisler asked Strahan about pre-development loans and financing offered through the State. Strahan responded that pre- development loans require either a 2-year or a 6 month repayment and noted that large projects are also utilizing bonds through tax credits to finance development. Strahan questioned the Commission about Council support of affordable housing. Hartzell responded that Council is supportive of affordable housing but noted that the Planning Commission often questions data regarding needs Hartzell talked about the need to preserve existing affordable housing and questioned Strahan about her thoughts on such. Strahan stated the huge need to preserve at risk existing affordable housing units. She defined "at risk" as those units that are in danger of being eliminated. She used the example of a senior housing project underway in Medford where Access is partnering with Shelter Resources to take over an existing 52 unit development noting "preservation is a key piece to affordable housing in any community". When asked by Hartzell what role the Commission would have in acquiring vulnerable properties, Strahan expressed that the Commission could have a role in identifying and encouraging property owners to sell, but would not need to know all the financing specifics for a project. Peck questioned whether the search for vulnerable properties would include all market rate apartments with condominium conversion potential. She further questioned how the Housing Commission may work to educate the Planning Commission to get up to speed without having to undertake more research to get new statistics. Strahan pointed out that in her opinion the Needs analysis lacks vital information identifying needs for households with incomes between 30-80%AMI, stating that this missing piece should be flushed out. Harzell explained that wen the original scoping of what the needs analysis was to cover it was decided not to pay to include the rental needs assessment Strahan is referring to. Strahan asked the commission about Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) efforts and Alice Hardesty responded by explaining the recent work of the Education Subcommittee of the Housing Commission. She spoke of the numerous interviews that have been conducted with major employers. She explained that workforce housing is a huge problem employers face in recruitment and retention. Hardesty noted the upcoming December 2nd EAH work shop the Housing Commission is sponsoring to bring these employers together. Strahan concluded her presentation by expressing the need to look at innovative ideas to create affordable housing opportunities. She used the example of a potential project in Medford in which Cal Martin has proposed annexing 600 acres for creating what he's termed affordable housing. She stated that its her understanding the housing provided would target various income levels to provide a supply for the areas workforce. She noted an analysis and presentation prepared by Steve Farrini for this project which frames the need for this "intriguing solution". ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION MINUTES Oct 10, 2005 2