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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-26 HAC MINS CITY OF CHULA VISTA' MINUTES HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, January 26, 2005 Legislative Building 3:30 p.m. Housing Conference Room CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL - 3:30 p.m. PRESENT: Members: Gregory Alabado, Steve Zasueta, Margie Reese, Dina Chavez ABSENT: Joanne D. Clayton (excused), Armida Martin Del Campo (excused), Gustavo Bidart (unexcused), Barbara Worth (unexcused) STAFF: Leilani Hines, Senior Community Development Specialist John Schmidt, .Principal Planner 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 27. 2004 minutes Member Alabado made a motion to approve the minutes, Member Zasueta second the motion. All members approved unanimously. December 8, 2004 Member j Alabado made a motion to approve the-minutes, Member Zasueta second the motion. All members approved unanimously. 2. STAFF REPORTS Staff Hines introduced Mr. John Schmidt, Principal Planner in the City's Planning and Building Department to present the City's current policies on Condominium Conversions and Accessory Dwelling units, the results of.implementing these programs, what we have learned and future trends or issues. Condo Conversions Staff Schmidt stated that the City has an existing ordinance that regulates condominium conversions that has not been updated in a while. More recently with the influx of projects proposing conversion, the City has developed Guidelines that are available to the public. The Guidelines lay out the process and requirements for-condo conversions in one document. To date, the City has approved two conversions, one in the Otay Ranch community, The Crossings, and one in the southwest, adjacent to the 1-805 and south of Main Street. The City is seeing currently reviewing a few other conversion projects. The City has,not seen as many condo conversion projects as other jurisdictions such as San Diego and El Cajon. At this point,-the City'has taken-a more conservative approach to condo conversions than others such as El Cajon .where they are desirous of turning their many rental products to homeownerships. J ' S ' Housing Advisory Commission Page 2 of 2 The current Ordinance speaks directly to open space. and storage requirements but not much else. The City has been able to require developers 'to make modifications .that relate to the health, safety and welfare of the residents based upon the new use as homeownership. For example, they have required thicker walls to reduce the noise . between units. The desire is to provide a development that adds to the quality of life of the residents and community rather than just providing a more affordable homeownership opportunity, Staff believes based upon their requirements that we may not see as many condo conversions on the west side. The east side, however, was built to condo specifications and therefore, could easily convert. Additionally, experienced developers are saying that the'market may have reached its peak for condo conversions because the. market pricing is too high to make a conversion financial feasible. It is hoped that in the coming months that as the City works through the Housing Element update that the issues of impact to existing residents and the balance of rental versus homeownership units will be addressed. Accessory Dwelling Units The City passed an updated Accessory Dwelling Unit within the last few years. Membership Status Staff Hines reportetl'that Community Development is in the process of determining the appropriate steps needed to change the status of an ex-officio member to the At Large voting position currently vacant. It is hoped that by the next meeting staff will have more concrete!information. Additionally, staff will report next month on any vacancies that may occur based upon ,lack of regular attendance at the meetings in accordance with the City's Municipal Code governing the Commission. Member Zasueta urged staff to come to resolution of these issues as they have been continuing for a long period of time. Affordable For Sale Housing Staff Hines provided an update of several affordable for-sale developments in the City. The Sedona development proposed by Shea Homes in the Rolling Hills master planned community. At this time, the developer has, selected the 32 homebuyers. Applications will be.distributed in March for the 140 units of affordable housing for.low and moderate income households,within the Mar Brisa development of San Miguel Ranch. Up to date information on this development can be found weekly in the local Star News. Staff is also . anticipating the proposal of two additional affordable developments within the.Otay Ranch community. 3. MEMBER COMMENTS None. 4. AD ,RNMENT: To the next meeting of February 23, 2005 Re order, Palm iralMontiel J:\COMMDEV\Hsg Advisory Com mission\Minutes\2005\1-26-05 MINUTES.doc