HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-10-24 Housing MIN
CITY Of
ASHLAND
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
STUDY SESSION
MINUTES
October 24, 2005
CALL TO ORDER
Liz Peck, Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 5:40 pm. on October 24th, 2005 at the Community Development and
Engineering Services Building at 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR.
Commissioners Present:
Liz Peck, Acting Chair
Alice Hardesty
Bill Street
Carol Voisin
Don Mackin
Matt Small, Vice-chair arrived at 6: 10 and became Acting Chair
Faye Weisler
Cate Hartzell
Brandon Goldman, Housing Specialist
Absent Members:
Council Liaison:
Staff Present:
Subcommittee updates
Education
Carol Voison spoke of the work of the Education Subcommittee in developing the upcoming Employer Assisted Housing
(EAH) Workshop.
Date is December 2, 2005 from 9-2:00
lnterviewees have been underway and the subcommittee is looking at a number of representative case
studies including:
o City of Ashland
o Greenleaf Restaurant
o Ashland Community Hospital
o Sky Research
Panelists have been identified and include:
o FannieMae, Tonya Parker
o HomeStreet Bank, Jennifer Larson
o RVCDC, Ron Demele
o A rental expert (Jim Kuntz?)
o A business tax specialist
Land Use
Liz Peck noted that the prior Land Use Subcommittee meeting consisted of herself and Brandon Goldman. At this meeting
they spoke about suitable properties and opportunities for land acquisition. They discussed conducting a "field trip" to look at
the identified properties and spoke about realtor representation selection.
Hartzell questioned where land acquisition is in process and Goldman explained that there is still not a resolution on where the
funds to pay a consultant would come from. Hartzell requested Goldman resolve the issue and obtain the needed money for
Real Estate Services. Goldman stated he would work with Bill Molnar, acting Community Development Director, to identify
where the consultant services cost could be covered in the adopted budget.
Finance
The Finance Subcommittee had not met but had scheduled a conference call with Mary Brooks [ Housing Trust Fund
Specialist] to occur in early November.
Liasion updates
Hardesty spoke briefly regarding her conversations with School Board members and the Chamber of Commerce. Commented
on the need for the Chamber to produce "family friendly marketing". Noted the Chamber will advel1ise the EAH meeting in
their news letter provided they receive materials by November 14th.
Peck spoke briefly about her attendance at the Planning Commission hearing regarding II First Street. She saw value in
further Planning Commissioner Education and perhaps future Trainings. Hartzell indicated Diana Shavey [ affordable housing
consultant] would be available on December and indicated that there would be considerable value in a training provided by
Shavey to the Housing Commission, Planning Commission, and City Council would be. Goldman asked what informational
need of the Commission would they see such a training addressing. Voison questioned Hartzell on how Shavey's presentation
could help them specifically. Hartzell explained Shavey's expertise in affordable housing and that she could help educate both
on general programs and specific financing tools.
Planninq Review Process
Goldman presented on the potential expansion of the Housing Commissions role to include planning review, and implications
it may have on their activities. Further Goldman noted that such a change in the resolution assigning the Housing Commission
powers would be made by Council and that the Housing Commission should send a letter requesting such for consideration.
Goldman noted that Staff will prepare a Council Communication but that a request letter and presentation by the Housing
Commission would be necessary.
Don Mackin expressed the perception that added review could be seen as onerous to developers and without criteria some
comments may not have a legal standing. Hartzell spoke regarding the educational opportunities to the Housing Commission
to understand the code their involvement in planning review would provide, and noted it would also provide better exposure for
the Housing Commission and affordable housing. Mackin suggested the Housing Commission receive a monthly report on
projects in the housing pipeline, including any specific issues on those projects.
Jennifer Henderson stated the broadening the visibility of the Housing Commission before the Plamling Commission, by being
a participant in the current planning review process, was a positive. Bill Street explained that currently developers only do the
minimum necessary, and that adding Housing Commission reviews may provide the opportunity to work with developers to
create more affordability.
Goldman asked the Commissioners to define the types of actions the Housing Commission would review. There was
consensus that the Housing Commission should review all projects that have affordability requirements [per land use ordinance
or CDBG or City Funding], and further stated that voluntary affordable projects of2 or more units should come before the full
commission. Commission members forwarded items for consideration when reviewing planning proposals could include:
-Family friendly amenities
-Mass Transit accessibility
-Dedication of affordable units or land to be developed as affordable
-Energy efficiency of units
Housina Goals
Small suggested that at the subcommittee level the Action Plan strategies and previously identified Housing Commission Goals
be prioritized and come back to the full commission at the next regular meeting for vetting. The commission agreed to do this
as there was no further time available in the study session to undertake the prioritization process.
ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
ASHLAND HOUSING COMMISSION
STUDY SESSION MINUTES
Oct 24, 2005
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