DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2002

CONFERENCE ROOM 233

PRESENT: Councilmember Presmyk (Chair), Councilmember Morrison, and Vice Mayor Urie

ABSENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Planning Director Swanson, Community Development Specialist Harris-Morgan, Senior Planner Pazera and Deputy Clerk Roberts

OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Skousen

1. Call to Order

Councilmember Presmyk called the meeting to order at 5:10 p.m.

2. Roll Call

Deputy Clerk Roberts called roll and declared a quorum was present.

3. Communication for Citizens

None.

4. Approval of Minutes from meeting of October 7, 2002

A MOTION was made by Vice Mayor Urie, seconded by Councilmember Morrison to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 7, 2002. Motion carried 3-0.

Gilbert General Plan Neighborhood Element â?? review of proposed changes to the Neighborhood Element to include additional affordable housing activities

Planning Director Swanson circulated a redlined version of Chapter 8, the Neighborhood Element of the Gilbert General Plan. He requested the Subcommittee comment on the items recommended for change or deletion. He also advised that the policy for density bonuses for housing affordability has been added. This chapter is posted to the Townâ??s website and once changes have been made, the revised version will be posted. The first public hearing is scheduled for November 6 with the Planning and Zoning Commission, followed by an open house a week later on the annual update of the General Plan, which will include this chapter. The second public hearing with the Planning and Zoning Commission will be held on November 20 where staff will be directed to formulate a recommendation to Council. Council will make final adoption of the changes at a meeting in January. This allows adequate time for the process to be completed without rushing the public, Planning and Zoning Commission or the Council.

Mr. Swanson asked the Subcommittee to comment. Councilmember Morrison asked about the italicized words. Planning Director Swanson advised those words were the new recommended text. Councilmember Morrison asked whether the definition of affordable housing had been addressed in the chapter. Planning Director Swanson directed the subcommittee to Goal No. 4. The subcommittee suggested several different terms, including work force housing and economically diversified housing.

Discussion took place on items concerning new residential growth, system development fees and the replacement of infrastructure.

The Subcommittee also discussed the percentage of affordable housing units steadily decreasing due to the rapid rate of development of higher priced housing. Mr. Harris-Morgan recommended this sentence remain since it is in the current General Plan that was approved a year ago.

Planning Director Swanson explained that changes to 4.2 were made to reflect the Subcommitteeâ??s direction at the last meeting. Councilmember Morrison recommended the sentence be split into two parts, one covering private development and the other public and public-private development.

Vice Mayor Urie asked whether the second part of 4.3 could be more specific. Planning Director Swanson advised that wording in the General Plan could address the issue of ownership or rental housing that guarantees affordability for at least fifteen years. Density bonuses may differ for multi-family projects. Each project would have parameters and a contract. The length of commitment could be linked with the magnitude of the affordable component of the project.

Councilmember Morrison requested clarification on item 4.4. Planning Director Swanson responded that this creates a policy not to relax the look of a development. Mr. Harris-Morgan suggested renumbering the item to 4.1 and list the other items below.

Councilmember Presmyk asked why two mission statements were included in the chapter. Mr. Harris-Morgan responded that these were written to comply with Growing Smarter legislation. Planning Director Swanson stated that these items could be combined into one statement.

Discussion took place on the requirement of a homeownerâ??s association in all new single-family ownership residential developments. Planning Director Swanson asked the subcommittee to consider different wording options and provide suggestions to him.

6. Revised Arizona Affordable Housing Profile â?? Status Report

Mr. Harris-Morgan reported that the Elliot Pollack housing profile with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would be available at the end of the month. Once this is available on the website, he will notify the subcommittee.

Next Meeting â?? Agenda items and meeting date

The next meeting was scheduled for November 11, 2002 in Room 233. Planning Director Swanson agreed to contact Dennis Barney to check whether he could attend the meeting to present a discussion on private sector affordable housing.

8. Report from the Chairman

Councilmember Presmyk advised that a resident had contacted him to say that he was frustrated at the slow progress on the affordable housing issue. Councilmember Presmyk stated he felt progress was being made at each meeting and complimented staff and the subcommittee for their hard work. Councilmember Presmyk asked that since the Subcommittee had been in effect for a year whether leadership should change. It was the consensus that the leadership should remain, but that smaller subcommittees may need to be formed once the policy issues are ready to be addressed.

Mr. Harris-Morgan suggested that a study session should be held and possibly a road show to ensure that education on the subject continues.

9. Report from Subcommittee Members

Vice Mayor Urie reminded the Subcommittee of the Congress of Neighborhoods, Saturday November 2, 2002, where information can be shared with the public.

10. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Council Subcommittee on Affordable Housing held on October 28, 2002.

Susan Roberts, CMC, Deputy Town Clerk

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