HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_09.19.2016City of Georgetown, Texas
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
September 19, 2016, at 3:30 p.m.
Historic Light and Waterworks Building, 406 W. 81h Street
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Richard Glasco, Chair; Brenda Baxter, Vice Chair; Nikki Brennan, Joseph
Gonzales, Randy Hachtel and Harry Nelson
Members absent: Marion Goforth
Staff present: Jennifer Bills, Housing Coordinator; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Call to Order by the Chair at 3:32 p.m. with reading of the opening remarks.
A. Welcome to guests.
Legislative Regular Agenda
B. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the August 15, 2016
meeting. Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Motion by Gonzales, second by Nelson to approve the minutes as presented.
Approved 5 — 0 — 2, Brennan and Goforth absent
Brennan walked in immediately following the vote.
C. Update from the Board Chair regarding the Housing Advisory Board's purpose.
Richard Glasco, Board Chair
Glasco reported that the charge of the Board is to keep affordable housing for all and to
provide advice on how to make that happen. The Board discuss possible ways to do
that. No action was taken.
D. Update on revisions to the Georgetown Housing Tax Credit resolution request process.
Jennifer Bills, Housing Coordinator
Bills reported that based on the workshop that she had with Council, the following
recommendations were made. These will be taken to council for action on September
27. In regards to Public Outreach, there will be two public meetings, with one at least
three weeks before the city council is asked to take action.
In regards to the Housing Tax Credit zoning review, council wants the applicant for the
site to have already submitted a rezoning application, or have the appropriate zoning,
and staff to have provided an analysis of the site. Council agreed on the proposed
timeline that was presented. They also want an estimate of the new "2 times' ratio with
all proposed units.
Bills explained that the ratio will be difficult to provide accurately because the state
numbers, based on number of tax credit units statewide and state population, are
constantly changing, as are the numbers in Georgetown. The Board expressed concern
that the statistics would not have a real value as they don't truly show what the area
need for affordable housing is.
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Minutes September 19, 2016
Bills explained that after action is taken by Council on September 27, she will distribute
the information to applicants. She also reported that with 310 units to be built in the
next year in this area, the 9% and 4% applications may not even be considered by HUD.
E. Review and discussion on the date and recommendations of the adopted Housing
Element. Jennifer Bills, Housing Coordinator
Bills reported that the Housing Element is one of 14 elements of the Comprehensive
Plan, which sets the policy those certain areas. The Planning Department will be
updating the Future Land Use Element and the Comprehensive Plan in 2017 and the
Housing Element will be worked on and updated at the same time. It is the guide to
direct decisions for tax credit and workforce decisions in the future. Updating the plan
will provide more viability and support of the citizens as they will be involved in the
process.
Bills reviewed the current Housing Plan which consists of five chapters, including an
Executive Summary. She explained the common definition of affordable housing is that
no more than 30% of a household's gross income should be used for mortgage,
insurance, taxes and utilities. Chapter Two of the Plan shows demographics and is
based on 2008 numbers which need to be changed. The housing market has changed
drastically in the past 8 years and the numbers are no longer relevant.
Chapter Three discusses existing and projected demand for affordable housing. The
next projection should look at housing demands from 2018 to 2022. Chapter Four lists
policy recommendations.
The work plan for updating the Housing Plan includes updating the tax credit schedule
and process, which the board has recently reviewed and recommended. Staff will also
update housing numbers and statistics and a Housing Tools feasibility study will be
conducted. Board members expressed that they wanted to see more involvement by the
city in the form of land trust, self-supporting non -profits, or possibly grants. Bills stated
she will work on the scope of work for updating the Housing Plan and will include
more public information and outreach elements.
The Council has funded $24K to update the plan with staff and a consultant. Also
funded was $35K for a feasibility study conducted by a consultant. The goal is to have
an updated Housing Plan by summer of 2017 and the study to be completed by fall 2017.
F. Upcoming items:
• The next regular meeting of the HAB will be October 17, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.
Nathaniel Waggoner, Transportation Services Analyst will discuss the Transit
Development Plan, including the fixed route buss system which was recently
approved by City Council.
Motion by Gonzales, second by Brennan to adjourn. Meeting was adjourned at 4:58 pm.
Approved, Richard Glasco, Chair Attest, Brenda Baxter, Vice -chair
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Minutes September 19, 2016
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