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: May 14, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, Third Floor, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chairman Sprague at 5:30 pm THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Steve Sprague, Chair ___x___ Dana Lewis: _____x_________ Julio Idrobo, Vice-Chair ___x___ Sue Richter _________ Donald Brobst ___x____ Kevin Denton ___x________ Tori McKinney ____x___ Nancy Vincent ____x______ M.T. Gutmanis _____x____ Jim Garrett - FC Housing Corporation Rep. __x_ OTHERS PRESENT: TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: ______________________________________________________ Approval of Minutes The minutes of the April, 2013 meeting were approved. New Business 3301 West Broad Street (Harris Teeter/Apartments) Special Exception Review The Housing Commission discussed the recent council adoption (Resolution to grant a special exception for residential uses within mixed use development projects and height bonus for a mixed-use development on the approximately 2.6 acres of land located at 255 and 301 west broad street (real property code numbers 52-309-414, 52-309-111 and 52-309-412) known as “301 west broad street” by Rushmark Properties, llc (TR13-10)). Wyatt Shields, the City Manager, attended the meeting along with housing staff. The commission was concerned about the precedent that this sets as there will not be 6% ADUs at the normal 60% AMI (are median income) in the building. Shields shared that the cement building and underground parking made financing the project difficult. Negotiations took place along with other concessions. The City had the developers pro forma truth tested. Commission members were disappointed that the new policy was not followed. The Commission suggested the Council make a statement that this was an aberration, a one time thing. The community needs to know where we stand. Affordable Housing Fund request – Staff Lewis There is a possibility that a non-profit developer may be making a request of the Affordable Housing Fund for financing to purchase a Virginia Village property. Summer Housing Commission Schedule The commission voted to not meet in August. Old Business Commissioner and Falls Church Housing Corporation Roundtable Updates • Chair Sprague shared that his community has received news that commercial development will remain near the army recruiter office. • Commissioner Gutmanis shared that Merrill House currently has 15 units available. Dogs are now allowed as well. A four bedroom unit is $2,500 a month. • Jim Garrett shared that the last deal on the 350 Commercial building fell though. They have another possible buyer and will know in 60 days if this will work. They are also refinancing the Winter Hill property. They do not have the money to purchase one of the Virginia Village properties. Staff Report - Lewis • New Development Update - HHS will hold a lottery for Northgate apartments in August. The building is scheduled to open in September. • CDBG Update – Project Monitoring will be taking place in May and June. Next meeting is June 11th. The meeting was adjourned on the motion of Commissioner Brobst and seconded by Commissioner Gutmanis. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 6:30 pm