HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_02.22.2012Housing Advisory Board Minutes, January 18, 2012 1
City of Georgetown
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
February 15, 2012 at 3:30 p.m.
New Planning Conference Room —Georgetown Municipal Complex
300-1 Industrial Ave., Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Brad Curlee, Kyle Fisher, Morris Greenberg, Gary Leissner, Lalena Parkhurst,
Tim Todd, Clay Woodard
Members absent: Ron Pergl
Staff present: Jennifer C. Bills, Housing Coordinator; April Quade, Reporting Secretary
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.
The meeting was called to order at 3:35 by Greenberg.
Agenda
1. Consideration and possible action to approve minutes from the January 18, 2012
meeting.
Motion to approve the minutes by Leissner, second by Greenberg. Motion approved 6-0
(Todd was not present, arrived late.)
2. Consideration and possible action to forward a resolution of support for THF Gateway
Northwest Ltd. to apply for the Housing Tax Credit and HOME Partnership Programs
for the construction of the Gateway Northwest Apartments, located at 1605
Northwestern Boulevard.
Jennifer Bills introduced Mark Mayfield, representative for Texas Housing Foundation
who gave a presentation for Gateway Northwest Development.
Brad Curlee addressed that he would abstain from the vote because he serves on the
Habitat for Humanity Board and is also employed by Union State Bank, who has an
interest in the property where Gateway Northwest will be constructed. Tim Todd stated
that he would also abstain as he serves on the Georgetown Housing Authority Board,
which currently owns the property.
Mayfield presented his presentation. He explained he was with the Texas Housing
Foundation out of Marble Falls, TX, a regional public housing authority. Mayfield was
contacted directly by Georgetown Housing Authority who could never get the Sierra
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, January 18, 2012 2
Ridge development initiated. Mayfield discussed his foundations reconfigured the
Housing Authority’s plan for Sierra Ridge.
Mayfield explained the details of the Gateway Northwest Development and requested a
2x resolution to move forward with the application. Mayfield explained a resolution
had previously been approved unanimously by city council, but after running into some
delays, they need a current resolution for this year.
Mayfield discussed the Gateway Northwest Development funding would consist of a
private activity bond program which will include a tax credit component built in and
would not compete with the other tax credit requests that were being presented after his
presentation.
Clay Woodward asked if city council had seen the conceptual plan.
Bills explained the parking would be located inside the property, where the buildings
would be located closer to the streets.
Greenberg asked about recreation, parkland and landscaping since the parking lot was
going to be located inside the complex. Mayfield explained the complex would include
landscaping, recreation areas and other amenities.
Leissner asked if a feasibility study had been completed for this type of development.
Mayfield answered yes and there is a very strong need for this development in
Georgetown.
Motion by Fisher to approve a resolution of support to City Council for approval,
second by Leissner. Motion approved 5-0. Curlee and Todd abstained due to conflict of
interest due to ties with the property.
3. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution of support for Palladium (USA)
International, Inc. to apply for the Housing Tax Credit and HOME Partnership
Programs for the construction of 82 units to be known as Kiron at Mesquite Lane,
located at Mesquite Lane.
Tom Heath with Palladium (USA), explaining their company was founded over 30 years
ago, operating in 10 different countries and is in the multi-family business only.
Palladium also operates their own property management company.
Huth expressed the Board should forward both resolutions to Council since both
projects are not competing against each other. Huth commended Bills on the draft
Housing Element.
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, January 18, 2012 3
Heath explained why Georgetown’s market demands this type of tax-credit
development for quality work-force housing.
Full credit background checks will be completed on applicants and Palladium holds
high standards for their residents.
Heath discussed income limits for the housing units.
Greenberg asked if there were occupancy limitations for each unit. Based on square
footage, which is set by the government.
Curlee asked what would prevent the development from later marketing the units for
market rate rentals. Other members of Palladium explained there are restrictions in
place with extensive reviews. If a development gets in violation, financial consequences
are enormous from IRS.
Heath showed examples of other properties they had developed. Heath also explained
the background for the name “Kiron”.
Motion by Leissner to approve a resolution of support to City Council for approval,
second by Greenberg. Motion approved 7-0.
4. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution of support for Georgetown
Senior, Ltd. To apply for the Housing Tax Credit for the construction of 120 units to be
known as Georgetown Senior, located at 410 Shell Rd.
Bills explained this property was rezoned in 2008 from multi-family to multi-family
senior. Discussion on location of property.
Debra Guerrero with NRP gave presentation. Guerrero discussed property would be
located on about 10.5 acres with 120 units restricted for seniors only. Guerro expressed
NRP does not sell their developments. 90% of the work completed by NRP is comprised
through tax-credits.
NRP works with a very experienced software compliance group, ensuring they are in
compliance with regulations.
Guerro said the need exists because Mariposa, a nearby senior-restricted apartment
complex, has a waiting list.
Guerrero said they had met Councilman Sattler and Commissioner Covey to answer
questions. Councilman Sattler was “pretty supportive in the development” and
Commissioner Covey “continues to ask questions”.
Housing Advisory Board Minutes, January 18, 2012 4
Greenberg expressed his concern with what seemed like a long walk from the parking
lot to the units. Guerrero said she appreciated his concern and will discuss the concern
with NRP. Guerrero discussed the design of the development.
Motion by Fisher to approve a resolution of support to City Council for approval,
second by Parkhurst. Motion approved 7-0.
5. Discussion on creating a presentation and talking point to City Council. Bills asked for
comments on presentation. Curlee asked to keep slide shows with bullet points to keep
the information simple to understand. Bills asked for further review and requested
comments to be emailed. Curlee discussed getting a statement from the Chamber of
Commerce stating that affordable housing is a growing need in Georgetown. Todd said
he would work on the statement.
Bills discussed the schedule for taking the Housing Element back to City Council on
April 24th. The board decided to hold a workshop prior to the 6pm meeting.
6. Discussion and possible action on future meeting date.
The next Board meeting will be held on March 21, 2012.
7. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:06 pm.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Approved, Tim Todd, Chair Attest, Morris Greenberg, Vice-Chair