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02/12/2008NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER February 12, 2008 Present: Lisa Hughes Donald F. Brackett Laurel Braswell Josephine Carbone Vacant Seat Absent: Peggy M. Cutkomp Kip Corriveau Chair Vice-Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Also Present: Geri Campos Lopez Economic Development & Housing Director Michael Holmes Housing Manager Brenda Moses Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. 3. Approval of Minutes - November 27, 2007 Member Brackett moved to approve the minutes of the regular Neighborhood and Affordable Housing Advisory Board meeting of November 27, 2007, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 4. Proposed New Housing Projects Habitat for Humanity - Steven's Housing Project Barbara Inman, Habitat (Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County), requested $600,000 of SHIP (State Housing Initiative Partnership) funds to acquire real property at 1884 Betty Lane that will be used to build new single-family homes for low to moderate income families. The funding request is for a five-year deferred payment loan. The funds will be repaid when each home is sold to an eligible homebuyer. Habitat encourages community involvement. Plans are to seek various forms of funding including funds from the County and donations from individuals, corporations, civic organizations, etc. The site is approximately 8.81 acres and is the former Homer villas rental community presently owned by the CHA (Clearwater Housing Authority). The project is referred to as the Steven's Creek Residential Community. The acquisition is subject to Habitat building affordable housing units for mixed income families. Property acquisition costs are $1,189,350, or $20,158 per unit. The housing units currently are vacant and in a deteriorated state. After purchase, Habitat will demolish all the structures. Habitat proposes to build a minimum of 50 single-family homes for families whose incomes fall within 30% - 80% of area median income. To keep the units affordable, Habitat proposes to use volunteers to partner with a general contractor to perform the work. Habitat also will provide reduced interest mortgages to homebuyers to ensure affordability. Habitat has a property acquisition contract with the local housing authority that requires a February 2008 purchase of this property. After purchase of the property, Habitat Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-02-12 will submit site plans to the City’s Planning Department. Habitat anticipates the bid solicitation process will begin in July 2009 and construction shortly thereafter. Construction will move forward in phases with a projected completion date of February 2013. Homebuyers in this project will be required to attend mandatory classes in preparation for homeownership and contribute between 250 – 350 hours of sweat equity, volunteering at Habitat in some capacity, mostly at the construction site. Potential homebuyers also will be required to make nominal payments each month towards the closing costs for their future home. By providing affordable homeownership housing, Habitat hopes to improve the housing stock in this neighborhood, raise the property values, and create economic incentives for additional public and private investments in housing in areas targeted by the City for revitalization. These affordable housing units will help the City reach its goal of providing new single-family homes as identified in its Five Year Consolidated Plan. To ensure a mixed unit development, Habitat will work with a developer to build 9 units that will be available for families between 80% and 120% of area median income. In response to a question, Ms. Inman said, as these units will be purchased instead of rented, it is expected that the units will be appropriately maintained. The units will be energy efficient, which will reduce utility bills. Although there are no plans for a homeowner’s association, standards may be included in the sales documents regarding property maintenance. Ron Spoor, Land Development Manager for Habitat, said the project will be built in the same configuration as Homer Villas. Hopes are that a mixed income component with larger homes and two-car garages can be built for families with incomes of 80% and above on the portion of the property facing Stevenson’s Creek. He said phase one environmental testing indicates there are no issues regarding Stevenson’s Creek. As the Home Villas project was built in the 1980’s, asbestos and lead are not issues for demolition and removal of materials. Discussion ensued with support for the concept. It was felt that a maximum of 50 units would provide more space between homes. Concern was expressed that the community space as depicted in the conceptual plans would not provide enough privacy to residents. Mr. Spoor said the community space could be fenced to provide residents with more privacy. He said HUD requires a commitment of 54 units to be eligible to fund the project. He reviewed the lot sizes and square footage for the units. He said former Homer Villa tenants are eligible to apply for these units. Homebuyers must meet specific income criteria and the development must adhere to the Fair Housing Act. Member Carbone moved to approve the request by Habitat for Humanity for $600,000. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Pine Berry – Senior Apartment Project Ken Bowron, Beneficial Communities, said his firm specializes in affordable housing for seniors. He reviewed Beneficial’s history. Beneficial requests $345,000 in SHIP funds to develop apartments for seniors at 1225 Highland Avenue. The site is approximately 3.02 acres and was a former bowling alley. The complex will provide 80 affordable multi-family units for the elderly, comprised of 40 one-bedroom/1bath units and 40 two-bedroom/1 bath units. He reviewed square footage for the units. All units will be wheelchair accessible and have energy Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-02-12 2 efficient appliances. Rents will be set at 60% of the area median income or lower. Beneficial has a purchase contract for the property. Robert Lomas, Beneficial partner, said the project will include funding from SHIP (State Housing Initiative Partnership Program), Federal low income housing tax credits, a loan secured by the general partner, supplemental funding from Florida Housing Finance Agency, and developer fees. Beneficial has family products in Georgia and Alabama and 10 in Florida. In response to questions, Mr. Lomas said this is not an ALF (Assisted Living Facility). It is an independent ageing in place complex for senior citizens aged 55 and up, and will be available at a fraction of the cost of an ALF. He said as the developer, Beneficial will retain ownership of the property. Beneficial will hire a construction and management company for the project. However, Beneficial engineers and staff will continuously oversee the project’s progress. He said this project will be an asset to the community. Mr. Bowron said there is a tremendous need for rental housing units in Clearwater. He reviewed the timeline for construction and completion of the project. The development will include an amenity package that includes emergency call service in each unit, a community center, a picnic area, computer lab on site, laundry facilities with full size washers and dryers, and a library at no charge to tenants. The site is in the vicinity of a medical facility, pharmacy, bus stop, shopping, etc. Discussion ensued with comments that the project would be a nice addition to the area. Member Brackett moved to approve the request by Beneficial Communities for $345,000. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Kimberly Home – Rental Acquisition Project Kate Kelley, Kimberly Home Pregnancy Resource Center, requested $150,000 in SHIP funds to purchase two properties at 1181 and 1183 Brown’s Court to expand the Kimberly Home Pregnancy Resource Center. The proposed project will add approximately 9,000 square- feet of property and two housing facilities to its existing program. The properties include three housing units and will provide transitional housing for expectant mothers for up to a year after post delivery. Kimberly Home provides pregnant mothers with assessments, crisis intervention services, individual case management and mentoring, coordinating services with community resources, and the opportunity for vocational and educational training. Ms. Kelley said the resource center will be renovated sometime in the future. She said there is a considerable need for affordable rental facilities for expectant mothers. Member Brackett moved to approve the request by Kimberly Home Pregnancy Resource Center for $150,000. 5. Action Item – Proposed FY 07/08 Meeting Schedule Consensus was that the proposed 2008 meeting schedule provided by staff was acceptable. Housing Manager Michael Holmes said this year’s bus tour of subrecipient locations will be scheduled in March or April. 6. Action Item – Setting the Course for Future Meetings Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-02-12 3 Mr. Holmes requested board input regarding the effectiveness of NAHAB meetings. It was remarked that today's meeting was very informative, that bus tours are helpful, and that staff continue to educate the board regarding pertinent housing and public service programs. It was felt the board needs as much information as is possible. Economic Development & Housing Director Geri Campos Lopez said staff will present information regarding land trusts to the board in March. She said staff will provide information to the board regarding housing development projects as they are received. 7. New/Old Business - None. 8. Next Meetinq - March 11. 2008 9. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m. ~ . ~1dcc )n}~ oard Reporter Neighborhood & Affordable Housing 2008-02-12 4