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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_HOUAB_11.15.2006Notice of Meeting of the Housing Advisory Board and the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The Housing Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 03:30 PM in the Georgetown Municipal Complex, located at 300 Industrial Avenue, Georgetown, Texas If you need accommodations for a disability, please notify the city in advance. Housing Advisory Board Members: Carol Parsonage, Cynthia Anderson, Dan Bonner, Deena Berg, Emily Northrop, Hartley Sappington, Janis Cowman-Arteaga, John Gavurnik, Larkin Tom, Nancy Biggs, Naomi Walker Housing Advisory Board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 03:30 PM. Call to Order at 03:30 PM A.Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Housing Advisory Board meeting held on Wednesday, October 25, 2006. - Robyn Rye B.Discussion of meeting with Wallace, Roberts and Todd held on Friday, November 3, 2006. C.Discussion of assisting consultants from Wallace, Roberts and Todd get in contact with hispanic members of the community to discuss the 2030 plan. - Deena Berg D.Discussion of the Unified Development Code (UDC) housing design standards and City costs. - Melissa McCollum and John Gavurnik E.Discussion of Master Plan and task prioritization F.Discussion of next meeting date and agenda items. G.Adjourn Certificate of Posting I, Sandra Lee, City Secretary for the City of Georgetown, Texas, do hereby certify that this Notice of Meeting was posted at City Hall, 113 E. 8th Street, a place readily accessible to the general public at all times, on the _____ day of _________________, 2006, at __________, and remained so posted for at least 72 continuous hours preceding the scheduled time of said meeting. __________________________________ Sandra Lee, City Secretary Minutes of the Meeting of the Housing Advisory Board and the Governing Body of the City of Georgetown, Texas Wednesday, November 15, 2006 The Housing Advisory Board of the City of Georgetown, Texas, met on Wednesday , November 15, 2006. Board Members Present: Emily Northrop, Janis Cowman-Arteaga, Naomi Walker, John Gavurnik, Larkin Tom, Cynthia Anderson, Carol Parsonage, Nancy Biggs, Deena Berg, Dan Bonner Board Members Absent: Hartley Sappington Staff Present: Robyn Rye - Administrative Assistant, Tom Yantis - Assistant City Manager, Melissa McCollum - Planner Minutes Regular Meeting Meeting called to order at 3:31pm A.Consideration and possible action to approve the minutes of the Housing Advisory Board meeting held on Wednesday, October 25, 2006. - Robyn Rye Motion by Cowman-Arteaga, second by Anderson. Approved 9-0. Sappington absent. Bonner late arrival. B.Discussion of meeting with Wallace, Roberts and Todd held on Friday, November 3, 2006. Anderson recapped the meeting with the consultants. Anderson and Berg expressed the desire of the consultants to hear from the community. Berg noted that no minorities were represented at the meeting, neither were younger members of the community. Berg also noted that the majority of the people in attendance at the meeting were 40 years of age and up, and therefore had different priorities than majority of people who would need affordable housing. Parsonage expressed her belief that the audience members were a skewed representation of the Georgetown population at the meeting with the consultant. Gavurnik asked if the City has any statistics on the ages of the Georgetown population. Yantis replied that the City did from census data, and he was aware that twenty-seven percent of properties in Georgetown are owned by people over the age of fifty -five. Biggs then expressed that Georgetown has a larger percentage of the population over fifty-five that is higher than most cities. Biggs then asked if the City should pursue different a type of advertising for future consultants meetings. Yantis expressed that advertising wasn't perfect, but the City did utilize Georgetown Independent School District email list, advertising in the Williamson County Sun, and postings on the City of Georgetown's website. Yantis explained further that based on previous planning exercises, people tend to only come out for controversy or items directly related to their property. Berg also noted that several of the would be participants are also commuters. Yantis then added that there was a Saturday meeting, but for those with kids it still may have been a conflict . C.Discussion of assisting consultants from Wallace, Roberts and Todd get in contact with Hispanic members of the community to discuss the 2030 plan. - Deena Berg Berg said that she felt it would be best to contact individuals directly. Yantis noted that the City Council did add a member of the San Jose neighborhood and the TRG neighborhood to the focus group. Walker asked if the churches has been utilized as a form of communication. Yantis said that all churches were contacted and asked to mention the meeting during services, but the City had no confirmation that it was done . General discussion of how those intended to attend the meeting may feel like a 2030 plan is too far out and simply may not have time. Yantis mentioned that the City maybe should have mentioned that they would provide child care because several people may not be able to attend because they have children. Parsonage asked if there was some way to produce a survey instead of just having meetings. Yantis explained that the City does do a biannual survey that does address some of these issues. D.Discussion of the Unified Development Code (UDC) housing design standards and City costs. - Melissa McCollum and John Gavurnik Gavurnik addressed the tree ordinance that was brought up at the most recent Planning and Zoning Commission meeting (P&Z). Gavurnik explained that he is working with Heather Brewer at Parks and Recreation on issues concerning builder/developers and some elements of the ordinance that involve the replacement of trees. Gavurnik suggested that the City consider looking at allowing developers that are producing affordable housing to waive some or all of the tree ordinance fees as a means of savings. McCollum gave a general explanation of application dates in the City of Georgetown. McCollum explained that two months is the average length of the process from start to finish. McCollum also explained that plans that involve zoning or ordinance changes require one more visit to Council making the process two and a half months. McCollum also expressed that the timelines the City follows are mandated by the state . General discussion of Planned Unit Developments (PUD) and how they might be best for developments that wish to include affordable housing due to their ability for flexibility . General discussion of Residential Dimensional Standards chart. Gavurnik explained plan for a new development site near COX Communications that could include affordable housing. General discussion of potential UDC changes. McCollum explained Housing Types Permitted by District. General discussion of lot sizes for residential developments. General discussion of the pros and cons of townhouse. General discussion of park land location in subdivisions. General discussion of drainage requirements for subdivisions. Gavurnik asked that the Board try to get smaller lots approved on the upcoming amendments to the UDC . Walker suggested using smaller lot sizes as an incentive for those builders that are willing to produce affordable housing. Yantis expressed that there would have to a mechanism in place to make sure that builders did actually produce some affordable homes and the City would have to make sure that there was an existing definition of what qualifies a home as being affordable. McCollum reviewed construction permitting fees, utility connect fees, sewer tap fees, electrical connections fees, and 5/8" meters. McCollum explained that 5/8" meters are allowed in Georgetown with a 1200 square foot of heated space for the maximum housing size for the meter. Gavurnik explained that time and cost are the two biggest obstacles for developers. Yantis suggested changing the UDC to allow that if a developer is building affordable housing they would get some fees reduced and/or waived. General discussion of what defines an affordable home and what can be done to make sure that home remains affordable. Cowman-Arteaga explained how a forty year mortgage can maximize that affordability of a home. Gavurnik suggested putting an item on the next meeting's agenda to discuss how to keep a home affordable once a family has moved in, such as utilities, mortgages, and taxes. General discussion of possibly incentivizing infill developing. General discussion of potentially waiving all fees for nonprofit developments. Yantis reviewed all recommendations the Board wished to make to Council. General discussion of possible fee waivers for green building. Rye reminded the Board about their reports on housing articles. E.Discussion of Master Plan and task prioritization This item was tabled until the next meeting. F.Discussion of next meeting date and agenda items. Move by Cowman-Arteaga to skip December meeting and resume meeting on January. Second by Bonner. Motion passes 8-1. Walker opposed. The next Board meeting will on January 17th at 3:30pm. G.Adjourn Moved by Parsonage, second by Walker. Approved 9-0. Meeting adjourned at 4:57pm Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 04:57 PM. Approved :Attest: _______________________________________________ John Gavurnik - Vice Chair Robyn Rye - Administrative Assistant