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 9, 2017 PLACE OF MEETING: Oak Room, City Hall MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Chairman Idrobo at 6:30 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Staff Julio Idrobo, Chair ___X__ Dana Lewis __X_ M.T. Gutmanis __x ___ Sandra Mclean __X___ Don Brobst ___ x__ Joshua Shokoor __X__ Brenda Heffernan ___x __ Carly Aubrey __X__ Council Liaison FCHC Liaison _ Letty Hardi – __ x_ _ Thom Vaccaro__ _ __ Planning Commission Liaison Lindy Hockenberry _____ _ ___ Student Representative Camille Borja ____x____ Visitors Julie Harrison – community resident Bob Young - Developer Chairman Idrobo called meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Approval of Minutes - The May minutes were approved with changes. Old Business Railroad Cottages SE Application – Planner Carly Aubrey came and talked about the Railroad Cottage project development proposal. Planning has this submission out for public comment and request written comments from the Commission. The Developer Bob Young was there to answer questions and give an overview. He shared that they have gone through a long process and that the ordinance which allows this project was recently changed. The project conforms to the ordinance in every way. The project is housing for seniors but is not affordable. The road is 12 foot wide and was granted an easement. A community resident Julie Harrison shared her concerns about the project mainly centered on the road and access. After the visitors departed the group discussed what should be included in the Commission’s comments. The discussion centered on wanting this project to conform to 6% of total development. However, according to zoning this is a single family home development and they are not required to do this. They have offered to contribute $10,000 to the affordable housing fund. The group felt this was insufficient and is advocating for more. The discussion was on exactly how much more. Affordable Housing Policy Summer Planning - Staff Lewis and Staff Shokoor discussed the next steps. Liaison Letty shared that the first thing that needs to happen is that Council needs to be asked to authorize a charter to bring the Affordable Housing Workgroup together. There was discussion on who the group should include and the timeline. Part of this process and the comp Plan is to educate the public on affordable housing first. Shokoor followed up on the articles that the group has agreed to write for the News Press. These are mentioned in great detail in the May minutes. To recap: o Letty – write an introduction commentary to start the series o Julio – partner with Craig Cheney from the Human Services Advisory Council to write about what affordable housing is o MT – write an article on affordable rental housing o Brenda –write an article on Fair Housing o Don - write an article on millennials leaving the nest o Camile – write on affordable housing from a student perspective Chair Idrobo stated that they would be in the guest commentary section and should not have any more than 600 words. Staff Shokoor will work with everyone individually on this. New Business Introduction of New Housing Specialist – Sandra Mclean and new Housing Intern – Joshua Shokoor both gave an overview of their experience to the group. HAND Luncheon report – Staff McLean gave a report on the affordable housing workshops and other information from the Housing Association of Non-Profit Developers conference. Sprague Liaison Reports – • Commissioner Gutmanis – Everything is quiet at Merrill House • Commissioner Heffernan – Nothing to report. She enjoyed participating in the lottery. • Student Commissioner Borja – She shared a letter that she wrote to the Commission about her experience and thanked us for the opportunity • Council Liaison Hardy – Gave an update on Founders Row. There will be 70 age restricted units. The theater is still in. The Broad and Washington project will be coming to Council this summer. There is a referendum on the high school redevelopment proposal. Letty also writes a blog post that she shared information about. She shared that it looks like condos may be making a comeback. There has been a submission for Park and Lee for 70 units. Staff Report – Staff Lewis gave a brief update on Miller House. The Commission voted to not meet in July for the summer. The next Meeting will be August 8, 2017. MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 8:45 p.m. SIGNATURE OF RECORDER: Dana Lewis 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).