HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Minutes - 2005-04-07Affordable Housing Task Force
Meeting Notes
April 7, 2005, 5:00 p.m.
Municipal Courtroom, Lake Oswego City Hall
Members in Attendance: Daniel Vizzini, Paul Lyons, Rob Wagner, Brad Holland, Ardis Stevenson,
Emogene Waggoner, Ernie Platt, Beckie Plaza
Staff in Attendance: Stephan Lashbrook, Donna Gouse
Guests in Attendance: Erin O’Rourke Meadors, Stan Aschenbrenner, Norma Heyser, Jack Hoffman
I. Approval of meeting notes. Ernie moved and Ardis seconded to approve the March 24, 2005
minutes, and they were approved by seven Task Force members. Dan recused himself because
he was absent at the March 24, 2005 meeting.
II. Report from Erin O’Rourke Meadors. Erin provided a handout of affordable housing
strategy suggestions for the Task Force’s consideration. One suggestion pertains to secondary
dwelling units (SDUs), where she suggested that LO not only pass code revisions but a broader
program modeled after Santa Cruz, CA. The Santa Cruz program has received much national
recognition, including a smart growth achievement award from the EPA. The Santa Cruz
ordinance addresses issues of permit procedures, design and development standards, and is
supplemented by a program that includes technical assistance and community workshops. Erin
added that the Task Force should not be too focused on federal funding for housing, since that
is decreasing nationwide.
A question was raised about the occupancy standards for SDUs, such as whether the code goes
beyond family members. It was agreed that the Task Force should propose that it be multi-
faceted and include rentals, and housing for the disabled, seniors, etc. Stephan suggested that a
sub-committee composed of himself, Erin and Emogene meet to work on the details of this
issue, and that was agreed.
There was a discussion as to whether a real estate transfer fee would be a viable option to
realtors, and Emogene and Ernie said there would likely be opposition. The Task Force agreed
that it should be mentioned as a policy option in the final report, but should be discussed in
general terms under funding options. The Task Force should try to gain the support of realtors
for its proposals. Emogene added that Windermere has raised a significant amount of money
for homeless services in the region, and that the realtor community is generous overall. It was
agreed that the final report should mention this in terms of potential for working in partnership
with the realtor community.
Erin also said that the Task Force should consider a dedicated fund, such as an Affordable
Housing Trust Fund to assist in the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the City
of Lake Oswego for the benefit of low- and moderate-income households. The funds can be
distributed to individuals and private or public nonprofit or profit entities, based on guidelines.
Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Notes
April 7, 2005 – Page 1 of 4
It was agreed this is a good idea, and that this idea is similar to one in the menu of proposals to
be discussed next.
III. Discussion of Affordable Housing Menu
Stephan began the discussion by mentioning that a subcommittee met on Sat., April 2 and put
together an outline, which was emailed to everyone yesterday. The proposed final report
outline is:
1) Executive summary
2) Dan’s letter of introduction
3) Analysis of need:
i) Census data
ii) Employment and income data
iii) Schools data
iv) L.O. Transitional Shelter Ministry info
v) Other
4) Analysis of supply (existing housing inventory):
i) Single-family units
ii) 2 to 4 unit complexes
iii) Apartment units
5) Tools
6) Recommendations
The outline above led to the draft menu of tools (item 5 above) that Stephan drafted for
discussion tonight. Dan is also working on a draft of a matrix that places each of the proposals
under a category, such as financing, operating costs, etc.
The Task Force then proceeded to review the document and propose changes. In the
introduction, Paul said he will add information to item 5 which refers to people with disabilities
who have special housing needs.
The following lists the policy and ordinance options in which changes were proposed (note:
updated “menu” is included as an attachment):
Items 1 and 2: Add text on neighborhood involvement.
Item 3: It was agreed to add that HomeStreet Bank provides local funding for employer-based
housing.
Item 4: Change sentence to read “Include consideration of imposing a ‘tear-down fee’ for
housing that is razed if it was affordable housing.” This section should answer what is the
baseline. Also, it should add that if housing is torn down, it should be replaced with a
comparable unit. It was agreed that this section say, “develop no net loss strategy.”
Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Notes
April 7, 2005 – Page 2 of 4
Item 5: It was suggested we consider recommending that a percentage of CDBG funding go to
affordable housing. Clackamas County administers CDBG funding so we would need to
recommend that to the County. The County administers a total of $2.5 million in CDBG
funding.
Item 6: SDU’s—Emogene, Erin and Stephan will be meeting to work on this.
Items 7 and 8: It was agreed these should be combined. Donna is working on this data research.
Item 9: Add Innovative Housing and other regional community development corporations.
Item 11: Change the percentage for Portland’s standard for affordable housing units to 20%,
rather than the 36% that is stated since that number applies to just the South Waterfront.
Item 13: In the third sentence delete the word “determined” and change to, “The Task Force
has strongly recommended that a broad-based community group…” There was discussion on
changing this to state that a Housing Commission or Board would be needed to implement the
Task Force’s recommendations, along with the need for staff, preferably with the City rather
than contracted out.
Item 15: It should add that transitional housing is part of the ladder for people getting into
permanent affordable housing.
Item 16: Add Multnomah and Clackamas Counties in the first sentence.
Item 18: Add that this refers to income tax credits.
Item 19: Add that this refers to property tax credits.
Item 20: Change the word “localized” to “centralized.”
Item 21: The issue of deferrals and Systems Development Changes will be researched, in order
to clarify this proposal.
Item 22: This is somewhat of a duplicate and will be combined with Item 9 and partnerships
with churches.
Item 24: Add municipalities to the list of outside experts to seek assistance from.
Item 26: It was agreed to underline “affordable housing” in the first sentence. Erin said that Jim
Bolland suggested this should have safeguards. Stephan said that lot-size averaging is a
difficult process, and may not be applicable to LO.
Item 27: Dan said that this item should be an outgrowth of items1 and 2 and a community
involvement process.
Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Notes
April 7, 2005 – Page 3 of 4
Item 28: Remove the words “Strictly enforce” in the first sentence. It was suggested it be
rephrased to state “add financial tools for ADA requirements.”
Item 29: Combine this with other proposals or delete.
Item 30: This should emphasize supporting regional strategies. Measure 37?
Items 31 and 32: Combine these and use the phrase “mixed-use.”
Item 34” In the second sentence; change the word “love” to “want.”
Item 35: Change the wording “don’t give in to prejudice against renters, people of modest
incomes, or against density” to wording that is less likely to provoke controversy.
Item 36: Add realtors, lenders, and neighborhood associations to the list of entities to work with
in identifying obstacles to housing development.
Item 39: Change “Liberalize” to “Review” in the first sentence.
Item 40: Combine with Items 36 or 1 and 2.
Lobbying options: It was agreed that additional funding options should be added in #2,
regarding lobbying the State legislature.
In addition to the proposals reviewed above, Erin suggested the Task Force look into providing
affordable housing when constructing public facilities. Stephan said this option is limited, given
the limited number of surplus public facilities. Erin also said that TMA’s (Transportation
Management Associations) should be looked at, where employers have a responsibility to
provide transit options that help reduce transit costs for employees.
Next meetings: It was agreed that the date of the public hearing before City Council may be
changed to two weeks later in June, given the deadlines before the group. The next Task Force
meeting will be Wednesday, April 27 (note: was rescheduled to April 28) at 5:00. The open
house for the public was tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, May 11 at 7:00, location to be
determined. A draft of portions of the final report will be sent to the neighborhood associations
before May 11.
The meeting adjourned at 7:00. p.m.
Affordable Housing Task Force Meeting Notes
April 7, 2005 – Page 4 of 4