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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-12-07 HAC MIN . . . MINUTES SPECIAL HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Tuesday December 7, 1993 3:30 p.m. Conference Room 2 Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL PRESENT: Joe Casillas, J.R. de Jesus Chantengco, Dan Dennison, Allen King ABSENT: Maggie Helton (Excused) STAFF: Housing Coordination Arroyo, Community Development Specialist I Shanahan, Community Development Specialist I Martinez, Administrative Office Assistant II Gonzalez GUESTS: Merritt Hodson EX-OFFICIO: Mitch Thompson (absent) 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MSC (Denn~son/de Jesus Chantengco) (4-0-1 Helton absent) to approve November 22, 1993 minutes. MSC (Dennison/de Jesus Chantengco) (4-0-1 Helton absent) to approve Helton's absence for December 7, 1993 meeting, due to she is out of town. Mr. Arroyo introduced Sheila Shanahan, she is a new staff member of the community Development Department. Mr. Arroyo mentioned that Sheila will be involved with housing and mobilehome issues. 2. COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY (CRAS) FINAL RECOM<!ENDATION - Mr. Arroyo mentioned that staff came before the committee about 2 months ago with the initial draft of the CRAS report. Staff has added a few additional parts to expand some sections that needed more information. Staff went over the CHAS report with the committee so it can be finalized. It will then go to Council to conclude the public hearing process, and soon after it will be sent to HUD for their final approval. Mr. Martinez went over some figures on Housing Element before discussing the CRAS report. Currently Community Development and Planning Departments are working with Sandag and the State Housing Community Development Department in regards to standardize county wide definitions of affordability. Mr. Martinez stated that the City has exceeded most of the housing production levels as listed in the Housing Element which include; new construction, housing assistance, and rehabilitation. Member J.R. Chantengco stated that being leaders and having a vision for what the City is supposed to be with NAFTA passing, the City should playa leadership role. The City is first rated in manufacturing, research, and biotech, which also has to have affordable housing. There needs to be comprehensive look at how staff can activate the right people and energize the people who are in government, but the private sector also has to come up with plans to reinvigorate what staff's goals are and go after them, especially in affordable housing. Member Dennison asked if it was possible for staff to write and brief Congressmen Filner and HUD on what our needs are. Member Casillas mentioned that City Council might have a problem with it. Member Dennison stated that maybe the Committee could write . . . to them. Mr. Arroyo stated that staff wanted to go over the changes on the CHAS report with the committee members for any comments. One of the questions Council was interested in was how many people in Chula Vista can afford the medium priced home? Mr. Arroyo stated that the county's percentage back in June of 93 was about 32%. The local statistics based on an averaged price home, and median income required to buy such a horne, was estimated at 25% to 26%. That is subject to change because of the economic patterns that are taking place with housing. The medium price home was established based on San Diego Tribune's monthly sales in the area for South Bay. Mr. Martinez mentioned the other addition to the CHAS would be the building fees discussion. Mr. Martinez went over some of the letters staff received from developers. For example, Baldwin Company sent staff a letter asking for staff to look at projects, processing permits, and fees on page 54 and 55 of the report. Baldwin Company believes that Chula Vista fees compared to other jurisdictions have escalated over the last three years making Chula Vista one of the more expensive jurisdictions in which to build. This was rejected by Chairman Casillas. Another letter staff received was from South Bay City's Association of Realtors supporting the CRAS plans. Mr. Arroyo recommended that the committee approve the CHAS report. MSC (Dennison/de Jesus Chantengco) (4-0-1 Helton absent) to approve the CRAS report and Chantengco mention that he seconded the motion with the recommendation that the comndttee incorporate the comments that the comndttee members made today. 3. ORAL COMMENTS - None 4. STAFF REPORTS - Mr. Arroyo briefly updated the committee on the Palomar Apartments At-Risk project that was taken to Council. It was discussed and the project was approved unanimously 5-0. Basically, Council approved a pre- development loan of $85,000 with $50,000 which is to be refunded upon the additional funding being acquired from HUD, stipulating a good faith effort made to get these funds from HUD or from the owner, or from a lending consortium. In addition, last Tuesday staff met with the Veterans Home Commission. Staff made a presentation on an alternative site North of the Sharp Chula Vista Community Hospital for consideration. The Commission liked the site and they will refer it to their site selection committee, with a decision expected February 1994. Mr. Arroyo talked to some of the committee members who were very enthused with it. If the Commission demonstrates interest, the City will then start negotiating with the school district. Member Dennison asked if the Veterans site is near or on the earthquake fault? Mr. Arroyo stated that staff has done some research on that issue. The site has some fault traces, but based on the actual location of those fault traces they run away or separate from the core of the site. That can be mitigated by 25 to 50 feet set backs. A Geological Reconnaissance engineering studies have concluded that it is a feasible site. The major issue is the gnatcatcher. There is evidence of coastal sage on the site. This issue is to be researched further. 5. MEMBERS COMMENTS - None 6. ADJOURNMENT - At 3:45 p.m. to the next regular meeting scheduled January 1.r94 in the P~l:C Services B:ilding. " / A 1...({ C" (l t If ... tJ~Cb-. Recorder, AllCla Gonzalez:f ,~ [AG\B:\12-7.93.MIN] DISK #3