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: July 9, 2013 PLACE OF MEETING: The Oak Room, East Wing, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Steve Sprague at 6:37 (pm) THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Steve Sprague, Chair ___x___ Dana Lewis: ______X___ Julio Idrobo, Vice-Chair ___x___ Donald Brobst __X_____ Council Tori McKinney __X_____ Phil Duncan X M.T. Gutmanis _____X______ Jim Garret- FC Housing Corporation X TOPICS OF DISCUSSION: Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the June 11, 2013 meeting were approved. New Business: Preparation of Comments for Planning • Site Plan/Final Council Action - Harris Teeter Council approved and the site plan is available. There will be 6% ADUs and they will be distributed at 60, 80 and 100% of incomes. The Kroger Corporation has bought Harris Teeter, however this will not affect this development. The Commission stands by their previous comments. • Site Plan/Final Council Action - Tinner Hill Council approved and the site plan is available. There will be 6% ADUs in the development. The Commission was satisfied with this result. The Housing Commission recognizes the comments made previously. Commissioners Idrobo asked what will be the amenity fee?  • Special Exception - “The Kensington” Assisted Living at the Burger King site Staff Lewis shared that housing staff hopes to have and affordable bed situation like there is currently at Sunrise. Commissioner Sprague asked if there are opportunities for lower income persons. Council member Duncan stated that the rents will be about $6,000 to $10,000 per month at Kensington and residents would have about a two to three year stay. The City needs to come up with a mechanism for low-income persons. The possibility of another floor was discussed. There is no proffer to schools necessary. The developer does not want to do any of these things. The group asked what the project is planning to do to help the growing senior population in Falls Church. Duncan shared that the developer’s research showed this area has the highest number of $100,000 plus earning females who also happen to be the oldest daughter in their family. The group discussed what other grants the developer could go after to assist. Duncan shared that the current Burger King on the site generates $124,000 in taxes to the city. The new development would be similar. The Commission decided not to take action until further action is received. • S. Washington Street Area Plan review – Virginia Village seems to be the only fully affordable residential neighborhood. There are 20 buildings with four quads each on four and a half acres. The Commission feels that the affordable units need to be preserved and protected. If this is not possible then provide an equal amount of affordable units. The tenants must be protected. Commissioner Sprague noted that the focus should be on protecting the units. Miller House Update – Staff Lewis shared that the current Miller house home on the property has been vacant since 2008. The recommendations of the Miller House working group where shared with the group. ADU Lottery for Northgate Apartments August 8, 2013 – Staff Lewis shared that the lottery for the new Northgate apartments (ADUS) will be held on August 8 in the Training room. The latest is that the building should be open in November. More information will be e-mailed to the Commission. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner and Falls Church Housing Corporation Roundtable Updates – Jim Garrett, from the Falls Church Housing Corporation, shared that they will know this week whether the 350 Washington street building sold. Winter Hill is also refinancing to get a lower interest rate. They are almost finished with the installation of windows, and toilets. The project is going block by block. The newly installed air conditioners work by remote control. Housing Commission Elections Date – Steve Sprague, Chair Chair Sprague shared that we will have elections for Housing Commission officers in September. The group was in agreement. STAFF REPORT CDBG Update: Staff Lewis shared that Habitat cannot get work on the Ives House completed in time by the end of the CDBG budget year. Part of the problem was the delay of the historical review. Habitat also just started rehabilitating a home in the Tinner Hill area for a family. First Time Home Buyer Program: $20,000 in funds has been used so far. There will be no Housing Commission meeting in August. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 8:45 pm SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: M. T. Gutmanis