HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/1/2020 Item 7, Delmartini
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Steve Delmartini <
PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Item #7 City Council meeting 9-1-20
Honorable Mayor and City Council
These comments are for the housing element. I am a bit late to the party on this so a couple comments will be on the
housing element in general but may not be specifically for the housing element items you are covering at this meeting.
Please keep in mind that developers like certainty and some of these items that are being considered/proposed in this
element leave gaps for planning, or other governing bodies to discuss, debate with no real direction in place for
someone to follow.
1. Please keep in mind when you are discussing developments, that its my understanding its becoming increasingly more
difficult for developers to get the needed insurance to cover themselves for construction etc... for condominium
developments vs. a Planned Development (where you own the land). Lenders are also having more difficulty in making
loans on condominiums vs. planned development homes with common walls or detached. Although some changes in
owner occupied/ non owner occupied ratios for condominiums are loosening up a bit.
For instance, the Moylan Terrace development although attached/common wall was a planned development vs. a
condominium and basically all lenders could be involved, insurance is easier to deal with both for the developer and the
homeowner.
2. It's my understanding that at this time, the City does not allow a Planned Development designation in a "mixed use"
zoning. For instance the Peoples Self Help proposed development on Broad St. The residential portion had to be
designated a "condominium" due to the mixed use zoning that also had a commercial proponent at the front on Broad
St. If this is not a housing element discussion please ignore, if not please explain., why does it matter if its mixed use to
get a PD ?
3. Its increasingly difficult, if not almost impossible to get financing for the long term 40-50 year deed affordable
restricted homes. The shared equity program used at Moylan Terrace was much easier to finance home purchases. I am
aware that the shared equity program ultimately eliminates a home from continual/long term affordability but it does
allow flexibility for the homeowner to sell and move out of being tied to affordability programs. Qualifying buyers in
affordable/long term deed restrictions in the long run can hurt a buyer, that then becomes the seller if they can't sell
their deed restricted property. I believe down payment assistance may be easier in the shorter term shared equity
programs.
4. 2.15 - Affordability, although I encourage the smaller residential to some extent I'm not clear on going as small as 150
sq. ft. which is a 10x15 ft. room unless that unit size is incorporated in group living such as those buildings that have a
common kitchen and living area and you go to your private room. 150 square feet is pretty small.
5. 3.3/3.5 Housing Conservation, highly encouraged.
6. 5.3/5.4 Housing Variety - I think this does start the discussion about the missing middle by adding duplex, triplex units
etc...but in conjunction with the traditional single family neighborhoods. Having an integrated housing mix of all
varieties helps blend all incomes together. Its a tough change to make, but once built I think it may work out very well.
7. 7.9/7.14/7.15 - Neighborhood Quality, items encouraged by the Planning Commission "providing safe and convenient
opportunities to access healthy food and attractive places for recreation" What does that mean ? who decides if its an
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"attractive" place for recreation ? Who decides if its healthy ? Maybe they should have given a definition with this.
Remember developers like "certainty". 7.14 - 10 or more residential units be reviewed and scored by the "Healthy
Communities Work Group "? Really ? and prior to submitting a planning application to the City. Really? again. Is this
going to be a new advisory board ? When does this group meet ? How long can they take to review ? Sorry, but I'm
having some trouble with this one. 7.15 - So, if these items need to be included, are they included if they take up area
for an actual living unit ? For a common interest subdivision this will add extra fees to maintain these items. Is there a
certain size for all of these ? If you have one do you need all three ? In my mind this has a better chance of increasing
home prices. Do you get parking exceptions if these are added ? Good idea but may not be reality. Does City staff need
to develop all of the criteria for these items ? If so, will they need to have public hearings ? I think you understand where
I'm going on this. Maybe a good idea but maybe not practical.
Thank you for your consideration. Again, I apologize if items have been covered that I brought up or not appropriate
because they have already been discussed, then please disregard for discussion for Tuesday's meeting.
Steve Delmartini
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