HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_07.23.2018City of Georgetown, Texas
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes
July 23, 2018, at 4:00 p.m.
Historic Light and Waterworks Building, 406 W. 81h Street
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Members present: Nikki Brennan; Mary Calixtro; Randy Hachtel; Jennyce Hume; Lou Snead,
Chair; and Bob Weimer
Members absent: Nathaniel Bonner
Staff present: Sofia Nelson, Planning Director; Susan Watkins, Housing Coordinator; Nat
Waggoner, Long Range Planning Manager; and Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Call to Order by Chair Snead at 4:05 pm. with reading of the meeting procedures.
Legislative Regular Agenda
A. Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes from the June 18, 2018 meeting.
Karen Frost, Recording Secretary
Motion by Calixtro to approve the minutes. Second by Hachtel. Approved 6 — 0 —1
(Bonner absent)
B. Presentation and discussion of the June 26, 2018 Real Estate Round Tables. Lou Snead,
Board Chair.
Snead presented comments that were made at the round table discussions. Main ideas were
that Georgetown has a housing affordability issue. An issue contributing to this is the cost
of land. There were concerns about differing neighborhoods and some schools being better
than others. There is a concern about a lack of diversity.
Nelson reported that more developers are looking to provide a denser product, which is
more affordable to build. The cost of building houses in Georgetown is higher without the
higher paying jobs to support it. Watkins added that the available inventory of $250-$300K
homes is not enough for the demand.
Snead reported that there were many long-time and new developers that attended the
Round Table session and gave very useful information. Watkins explained that these groups
were to target the supply portion of the housing discussion. Weimer asked if there was
comparison of other similar cities in this discussion. Snead explained this was more an
information gathering session.
C. Presentation and discussion of potential policy tools for upcoming Housing Toolkit. Lou
Snead, Board Chair.
Snead asked if anyone understands what the "toolkit" includes. What do other
communities use? He discussed some of the tools that the board thinks would be
appropriate for this city.
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Minutes July 23, 2018
A community land trust, with land held in perpetuity by the trust, is when the homeowner
owns the house with hopefully an increasing value so that they can earn equity. That is a
possible tool to address affordable housing. He has evaluated these tools and tasks the
committee with reviewing the documents to make their determination. He wants the group
prepared to report to Council which tools seem to have the most promise. The update to
Council will be August 281hand the group meets on August 20thto discuss the tools.
Watkins will send more information for studying.
D. Presentation and discussion of preliminary Housing Inventory data for the 2030 Housing
Element Update and affordability definitions. Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator.
Watkins reviewed the proposed schedule for discussions. This month's topic is the Housing
Inventory. The subarea map was presented that shows what the consultant is using to
identify areas that have similar housing age, type, and values. This is not meant to define
"neighborhoods". This is a tool to determine amount of developable land or density. This
was made by the consultant and reviewed thoroughly by staff. Watkins explained what
inventory data and sources were included.
Watkins reviewed the information presented. She explained the values will be changing
based on new information coming from the Realtor MLS information recently received.
Nelson explained this was data gathering and the analyzation will will be the next step by
the consultant. New information will be coming to this board at the August 20f meeting.
This group will be working on housing definitions, giving a range of housing options and
defining housing diversity.
Watkins discussed the average median income levels and gave numbers of subsidized
housing in Georgetown. Public Housing has 158 units listed and housing choice vouchers
were 100, as reported by Brennan. They discussed that Heritage Oaks is a special
circumstance and listed differently. Watkins says there are different options for renters
versus homeowners. Nelson and Snead discussed the difference between a regional issue
and a regional solution. Other definitions discussed were affordable, senior, workforce and
low-income housing. Snead asked the board to come prepared to the next meeting with an
idea of which type of group we would try to serve. Nelson explains this is the heart of the
matter.
Board discussed the definitions.
E. Presentation and discussion on the City's Community Development Block Grant
Entitlement program eligibility from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Susan Watkins, AICP, Housing Coordinator
Watkins shared the presentation which will be presented to the Council this week. She gave
a history of previous grants awarded to the city. She explained that the city is now eligible
for its own entitlement. The city must determine if they want to stay as a participant with
the Williamson County program, or to become its own manager for accepting Entitlement
Status. Staff recommends staying as a participant in the Williamson County CDBG
program. Council will consider this tomorrow and will take action on August 141h.
Motion by Hachtel, second by Brennan to recommend to Council that the city stay as a
participant of Williamson County CDBG program. Approved 6 — 0. (Bonner absent.)
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Minutes July 23, 2018
F. Update on the 2030 Plan Update.
Watkins reported that the steering committee reviewed housing issues at their last meeting.
Snead reported that they affirmed that there are affordable housing issues. Watkins also
spoke about the new On the Table discussions that are being planned for meetings on
October 2, with organizations hosting events all over town. She explained that each board
member is asked to host a discussion. Registration is in August and staff will be asking each
person on the board to reach out and seek more hosts.
Snead reminded everyone of their homework: tool kit items review, definitions and come ready
to register for the On the Table.
Adjournment
Motion by Hachtel, second by Calixtro to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 pm.
rL 9,vJ\
App ed, Lou Snead, Chair
Housing Advisory Board
Minutes July 23, 2018
Attest, andy Hachtel, Secretary
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