HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_02.18.2009City of Georgetown
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
February 18, 2009, at 3:30 p.m.
Glasscock Conference Room—Georgetown Municipal Complex
300‐1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Hartley Sappington; Chair, Nancy Biggs; Secretary, Cynthia Anderson,
Larkin Tom, Naomi Walker
Members absent: Cynthia Anderson, John Gavurnik, Debbie Hoffman, Emily Northrop
Staff present: Jennifer Bills; Housing Coordinator,
This is a regular meeting of the Housing Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown. The Board,
appointed by the Mayor and the City Council, makes recommendations to the City Council on
affordable housing matters.
Regular Session ‐ To begin no earlier than 3:30 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 3:32 p.m.
Agenda
1. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the January 21, 2009
meeting.
Motion by Walker to approve the minutes, second by Tom. Motion approved 5‐0.
2. Discussion on the Housing Element of the 2030 Plan.
Bills opened discussion on presentation points for the upcoming presentation on March
23, 2009 at 4:00pm at City Council Chambers. Bills presented information on the current
acreage in the City limits that is occupied by high‐density residential. There is 403 acres
of high density residential, of which 286 acres is strictly rental.
Bills suggested that the presentation focus on four to five main points of the Housing
Element. Several ideas of the points were expressed.1.)Housing affects Georgetown’s
economic development potential. As the surrounding towns continue to grow, low
wage earners will have the same job opportunities in cities that have available housing.
2.) From 1990 to 2000, there was very little multifamily development, yet the free and
reduced lunch program increased. The increase of the affordable housing does not
increase those numbers, but provides for those households all ready here. 3.)
Households with a single‐family wage earner have increase since 1990. 4.) Proactively
rezoning and planning for multifamily developments allows the City meet housing and
economic development goals by ensuring land is used for its highest and best use. 5.) As
the market stabilizes and homeownership has returned to requiring down payments,
more households will need to stay in rental while saving to purchase a home.
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, February 18, 2008 Page 1 of 2
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, February 18, 2008 Page 2 of 2
The Board discussed surveying the members of the City Council to receive feedback on
the Housing Element to be able to best address concerns in the presentation. Tom and
Walker volunteered to create a survey to submit to the City Council.
3. Update from staff on current Housing & Neighborhood Development projects.
Bills updated the Board on the Home Repair Program. The City recently finished two
projects, one to repair a roof and clean up a yard and a second home had bathroom
repairs that allowed better access for the handicapped owner.
Walker announced that the Housing Authority and Georgetown are looking into apply
for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a Department of Housing and
Development funded program which provides funds to put low to moderate‐income
households into foreclosed homes and protect property values.
4. Farewell to outgoing Board members.
Bills thanked Sappington, Anderson, Biggs, and Northrop for their participation on the
Housing Advisory Board.
Board adjourned at 4:51 p.m.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Approved, Debbie Hoffman, Chair Attest,