Housing Commission

MINUTES HOUSING COMMISSION PURPOSE OF MEETING: The five-member Commission is appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. The Housing Commission maintains awareness of housing needs and opportunities, including affordable housing; proposes housing policy initiatives and changes; investigates fair housing complaints and conciliates these complaints; mediates conflicts relating to the Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Act and offers reconciliatory services in conflicts relating to other housing laws. DATE OF MEETING: March 12, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: The Dogwood, Ground Floor, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Vice - Chairman Idrobo at 7:00 pm THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Steve Sprague, Chair ___ ___ Dana Lewis: _____x_________ Julio Idrobo, Vice-Chair ___x___ Sue Richter _________ Donald Brobst ___x____ Kevin Denton ___________ Tori McKinney ____x___ M.T. Gutmanis _____x____ OTHERS PRESENT: ___________________________________________________________ TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: ______________________________________________________ The meeting was preceded by an ADU Housing Lottery. The lottery was presided by Vice Chair Idrobo and Kevin Denton, Housing Specialist II. A winner was selected out of the three participants in attendance. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the February 11, 2013 meeting were approved. The Reserve at Tinner Hill Development Presentation & Referral- Richard Rose, Michael Rafeedie and David Lasso from the Lincoln Property Company gave a presentation on the new development. The project is in the floodway and the flood plain. Commissioner Gutmanis made a comment about how handicap parking has not been good at new development at new developments. Idrobo had a question about the impact on the loss of sunlight (caused by shade from the new building) for residents of Pearson Square. A light impact study was shown. The commissioners talked about the large donation the property is making to schools. They were also impressed with the willingness to consider providing ADU units at 40% of AMI. The Commission also discussed that there were generally favorable about the presentation and the plan. This will be included in the comments that Idrobo will draft on behalf of the commission. The group made a motion to accept the comments (due on April 5th, 2013) in advance that will be prepared. Affordable Housing Policy Work Group Appreciation – Commissioner Idrobo and the group decided to host a get together at Claire and Don’s on April 16 at 6:00 pm for Commissioners and members of the workgroup. Roundtable Updates – Commissioners Jim Garrett shared that the Falls Church Housing Corporation has had their agreement with the City approved by City council. The also have a Board meeting on March 13th and Dana Lewis will be coming from the City. They are also talking to RPJ about possibly purchasing a building nearby in Fairfax. Commissioner Gutmanis shared that there is nothing new to report for Merrill House. CDBG Week - Staff Lewis presented several options to celebrate CDBG week. The Commission opted to visit the Ives House in April and take a tour of the inside work that the Falls Church Presbyterian Church has done. Habitat for Humanity will also be on hand to give a tour of what outside work they plan to do with CDBG funds on the building. Northern Virginia Housing Expo – Staff Lewis The Northern Virginia Housing Expo will take place on this Friday March 16, 2013 at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School from 10 am to 2 pm. The Expo will feature workshops and exhibits designed to educate the attendees about location options, buying or renting and more. Commissioner Idrobo stated that he will attend and help to translate. Commissioner McKinney will have a booth. Commissioner Gutmanis will try to stop by. The meeting was adjourned on the motion of Commissioner Gutmanis, seconded by Commissioner McKinney. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: ________9:00 pm________________________________ SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: _____________________________________ The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability, call 703 248-5005, (TTY 711). DATE: ______________________________ MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: PLEASE SIGN IN FOR THE RECORD. Thank you. 1 16 2 17 3 18 4 19 5 20 6 21 7 22 8 23 9 24 10 25 11 26 12 27 13 28 14 29 15 30