Housing Commission

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH HOUSING COMMISION MINUTES 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, 2024 PLACE OF MEETING: In Person City Hall Dogwood Room w/ Virtual Option MEETING CALLED TO ORDER BY: Meredith Anderson at 6:31 p.m. THOSE PRESENT: Commission Members Guests Meredith Anderson – Chair Gene Gresko Jordan Hicks – Vice Chair Staff Hannah Jordan Brenden Woodley Sara Ferrara Kayleen Mark Robert Kravinsky Alex Li (HHS intern) City Council Liaison Dana Jones Letty Hardi Annual Business Meeting • Roll Call – Chair Meredith Anderson at 6:31 pm. o All commissioners present. • Review of Housing Commission Charter – Staff Brenden Woodley o HC has not had an election in a long time and this is an opportunity to review the charter for Housing Commission: HC is charged to stay in compliance with City goals in maintaining awareness of housing needs and the needs of the City. o Reviewed the mission and duties of the HC including the selection of members annually, the bylaws and the organization meeting in January to select a chairman and vice chair. o Goals and objectives should be drafted in October meeting and presented to council in November, and an annual report in January.  • Elections for Chair and vice chair o Nomination of Meredith Anderson by Jordan Hicks for chair, second by Hannah Jordan. ▪ Meredith was elected as chair. o Nomination for vice chair of Jordan Hicks by Hannah Jordan and second by Robert Kravinsky. ▪ Jordan was elected as vice chair. o Hannah suggested that the language of the by-laws be changed such as chairman and vice chairman, and the reference to “he” and “him.” o Sara Ferrara mentioned the code conflicts with bylaw and gap in terms of what prevails regarding the meetings to set goals and presenting to Council. Robert suggests that the chair gets a gavel. Hannah asked about the draft for the virtual meeting and having to state the specific nature of the personal matter – Dana mentioned that was a requirement of the state. • Adjourned at 6:44pm. Regular Meeting • Call to order – Chair Meredith Anderson at 6:44pm • Roll Call – Chair Meredith Anderson. o All commissioners present. • Approval of Minutes – Chair Meredith Anderson. 2024 Housing commission goals typo – food – should be “good” feedback. o Sara Ferrara moved to approve and Hannah Jordan Seconded. Minutes approved. • Public Comments – Chair Meredith Anderson o Hannah mentioned the HC should create a response to Grants Pass v. Johnson and that she created a resolution that stated the City makes a declaration or legislation that the City is a welcoming and inclusive City, and housing is a universal human right and continue to support the unhoused. Meredith mentioned she agreed with the resolution written by Hannah. Letty Hardi mentioned voting on it and send comment to Council to take action, and that HC should have a discussion with the police chief to show support and see what the police views are on it. o Brenden will coordinate the meeting with Hannah and Rob from HC with the police chief. o Vote for support of the intent of the resolution pending additional discussion – Letty suggested to make a statement instead of the “whereas” proclamation. Meredith mentioned having something that is more immediate and public as HC responding to the decision of Grants pass v Johnson and put it out as a public comment to council. o Robert mentioned that he is concerned if it goes to council and it is shot down, it may have a negative/reverse effect on what HC is trying to do Decision to do public comment and staff will look at it and adopt in national homeless awareness week in November 2024. o Brenden suggested maybe a letter in support to council and ask council to adopt a resolution. Robert questioned calling this a legislation however it is a letter in support that is a resolution and not a legislation. o Motion to vote by Meredith, second by Sara. Unanimous vote. • Work session on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADs) – Jack Trainor. The purpose of the presentation is to explain what they are and why City staff is exploring update to regulations, start the conversation about why it is important to the community and review the public engagement schedule. o ADs are independent living facilities, located on the same lot as single-family homes, include provision for living and sleeping and bathroom. o Forms of ADs: ▪ Internal (lower level and upper level of the main home) basement and attic ▪ Attached/bump out from main house for the purpose of the AD (separate dwelling) ▪ Garage conversion – above garage or attached to garage. ▪ Detached new construction- typically in the back or side yard of detached single-family home. o Benefits ▪ Aging in place providing a nearby housing space for dependent. ▪ Supplemental income – for homeowner to renter ▪ Housing diversity and inclusivity – provide smaller less expensive housing options and for diff range of income and life cycle stages. ▪ Robert asked about comments on the return of investments and questioned if it would be something that will going to be available to different ranges of incomes, if people can actually afford and not just more options of housing and who is it going to benefit? Hannah mentioned it can benefit their children who can’t afford a 1.2 million home but can afford the rent on a $300,000 AD. Meredith mentioned it can benefit a lot of people and in different ways and increases the supply of housing. Jack mentioned where someone starts would impact on what they will spend for the AD. ▪ Letty mentioned the concern of losing starter home stock – someone can take the equity of their main home and create AD for the main homeowner who needs to downside. o Why is the city exploring update? ▪ Highly restrictive regulations, detached ADs are not permitted. ADs require BZA and zoning administrator approval every 3 years. ▪ Legislative direction – CY 2024-2025 council priority item to explore update. State bill 304 – localities can create a more tailored solution on what’s best for the community. ▪ Several nearby jurisdictions have updated AD regulations within the last 10 years. City of Alexandria, Arlington County and Fairfax County. o Update considerations: ▪ Location /zoning – ADs are permitted as conditional uses in R1-A, R1-B and R-M zones (approx. 790 acres; 73% of city land area) (map for reference on screen). ▪ Design setbacks – no specific setbacks as now it is only allowed within primary structure in Falls Church. Height – doesn’t apply but usually about 2 stories in height from neighboring jurisdictions. Senate bill does not have height restrictions. Sq Ft – falls church no larger than ½ floor  area of principal dwelling. Senate bill no more than 1500sq ft or 50% principal dwelling floor area. Lot coverage – neighbors deferred to underlying lot zoning. The Senate bill doesn’t include this language. Falls Church building coverage 25% max, impervious surface cover 35% max and tree canopy coverage 20% max. Lot coverage existing conditions (map reference on screen) – existing avg lot size is 11,912 sq ft. ▪ Short term rentals – the law defines as a room or space suitable for occupancy for fewer than 30 days. Falls Church has no restriction currently, Alexandria no more than 120 days per calendar year. Senate bill 304 – localities may require lease terms of 30 consecutive days or longer. ▪ Parking – one parking space per AD in Falls Church. Arlington – up to 2 spaces. No parking required when a parking survey shows street parking is less than 65% utilized. Alexandria – no space required. Fairfax – 1 space. Senate bill 304 – localities may require dedicated AD parking and replacement of primary dwelling required parking if AD construction eliminates such parking. o How to stay involved? ▪ July 23rd 6-8pm and 28th 2:30-4pm community open house meetings at library. Process of advertising on city social media and website. ▪ Draft term sheet community open house in September. Draft code community open house in November. December – February will be formal considerations (council work session, planning commission work session to final council consideration in February). The second round of commission input would be around November. ▪ Question of process of Arlington by Hannah – Jack mentioned specific permit needed and should be similar to submitting a plan that you’re meeting by right requirements – more of a review and approval process. ▪ Meredith – knowing about Arlington and how few that were built and given the amount of strong anti-views on ADs, it might be helpful to give examples of other jurisdictions and what they did to show how much was built etc. ▪ Sara asked if it was possible to figure out the lots under 25% threshold, if people have the space to have an AD and for those with smaller homes and smaller lots who can’t add an AD if there is some way to convey that it is not a viable option for everyone on the map. Some way to convey the requirement is 25% but most homes are 10-15 and that’s what people are comfortable with. ▪ Jordan asked if there is a way to make exception for the 25%. Jack mentioned this is the talking stage of it all and needs community input as well before draft. Sara mentioned it may be helpful to not include front lot size. Jack mentioned also can include cap of number of ADs that will be built in city. Jordan asked if data determines which lots are close to the 25% building coverage and Jack mentioned yes.  ▪ Meredith asked what kind of public comments or feedback received. Jack mentioned none yet as they are early in the process and once they start advertising the community meetings, people will give feedback. • Affordable Homeownership Program (AHP) – Brenden Woodley o Two home closings this week. Closing of a 3 bedroom this Friday and purchasing of a 1-bedroom unit. o The City reapplied for SPARC and the funds were granted for another year. o Rent-to-own: the unit won’t be a good fit for the rent to own, especially for the expansive renovation needed at the property and that the renter would have to move for 1 month or 2 months during the renovations. There is an investor that is interested in purchasing the unit for higher original price. ▪ Meredith and Jordan think it is a good idea to sell and the money be used to purchase units. Sara asked about the cost we spent on holding the unit. ▪ The City is negotiating what is the best way to compensate for NHP time. o Question of updated emails to waitlisters on status – HHS and IT are working to create a system for updates. The City does not currently have licenses and working to acquire to be able to do that. • Virginia Village Update – Brenden Woodley o Trouble with getting VA Housing to commit to loan and they are reevaluating it. Working to get them and Wesley Housing to come to agreement on terms of loan. We are monitoring and pushing as much as we can. The City has no real liability, the concern is Wesley Housing and what hit they will take until closing. o Next step will be going to the loan committee with terms and hopefully for mid- August as target. • Housing Update – Kayleen Mark o 33 new ADUs are opening at Broad & Washington. The City will have studios at 40% & 80% AMI and 2-bedroom units at 60% AMI. Staff is working through the waitlist to find eligible households to fill the units. o 32 units will be coming available in the next few months at The Alder (West Falls Project). Awaiting COs from property before staff starts filling the units as there has been some delays in the delivery of the units. o Fair Housing training for Planning and CPEDs is scheduled for August 28th. Affordable Living Policy (ALP) Update – Hannah Jordan o The workgroup has had 4 meetings. The City will be writing the first draft of the policy. September and October will be for public comments and after the final draft, the committee will reconvene. o The group has seven buckets to focus on for the themes. Next meeting’s theme is unhoused and wrap around services on Thursday. o The group did agree with the housing commission to increase the affordable units in the city from 3% to 6%. o The meetings are progressing nicely. The facilitator brought to our attention the Arlington housing dashboard that is a live update that tracks stats of affordable housing. Everyone loved it and we are currently looking into creating a dashboard for Falls Church that will work with our annual reporting as well.  o There is a recommendation to increase the 6% to 12% on VCs and dedicate at least 25% to deeply affordable units. o Next meeting we will have someone from planning and human services. The last meeting will be to discuss funding and how we will allocate funding for projects, governance in terms of staffing and initiatives needed for infrastructure of what we need to put things in place. o HHS applied for a $20,000 grant for facilitators to write the policy. Robert asked if we include tax abatements and keeping people housed. • 2024 Housing Commission Goals – Chair Anderson o Chair Anderson presented the HC goals to City Council, and it was well received by Council. • Other - o Sprague award – will be discussed next time. Robert mentioned having a list of candidates for the group to look at in advance. o Future meeting – August is recess. Brenden will look into St. James for October’s meeting. September 19th may be the joint meeting with HSAC with State Senator Salim. HC can have their side meeting at a different location before the joint meeting if there is no big agenda item. • Adjourn o Hannah Jordan moved to adjourn, and Jordan Hicks seconded. o Adjourned at 9:07 pm.