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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/14/2022 Affordable Housing Review Committee MEETING MINUTES Date: December 14, 2022 Time: 8:30am Location: Town Hall Annex Board Room Absent: Present:  Scott Russell, Town Supervisor  Heather Lanza, Planning Director  John Burke, Town Attorney,  Mark Terry, Assistant Planning Director  Mike Verity, Chief Building Inspector  Don Wilcenski, Planning Board Chair  Jill Doherty, Town Board  Elizabeth Thompson, Architectural Review Committee  Patricia Lutzky, Housing Advisory Commission  Greg Doroski, Town Board  Mara Cerezo, Planner Agenda Item: Apartments at Brecknock Location: Greenport Zoning: HD/R-80 Number of Units: 28 Project Summary: Located within Peconic Landing’s 145-acre campus, this privately funded project proposes 28 rental units (a mixture of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments) for members of the local workforce at different income levels including units within the HUD/workforce housing guidelines. This project aims to address the scarcity of year-round rentals for staff of local employers such as ELIH, Southold Town Police, Greenport & East Marion Fire Departments, etc. Present for Applicant: Ike Israel (Richmond Realty), Richard Israel, and Kevin Anglan Discussion:  Partnering with Peconic Landing for workforce housing  Applicant in real estate since 2005  Numerous challenges exist in current housing market  Applicant is in “investment grade real estate” partnering with employers to purchase housing to help keep staff local to the business.  Focusing on clean, safe, housing for local workforce  Good location because it is screened from the street so less of a visual impact to community, utilizing existing curb cuts, connection to Greenport sewer possible, and public water accessible  Applicant held concept meeting to connect to Greenport sewer  Discussion on definitions:  “affordable” housing = 60-80% of AMI  “workforce” housing = 80-120% of AMI  “workforce” housing = can imply that the housing is employer subsidized  Is there a legal definition of “workforce housing” from the federal or state government? If so, are their implications for how this project is discussed?  Role of financing – all privately funded  Peconic Landing approached the applicants due to “labor drain” and a desire to capitalize on the land, they have (145 acres) with a possibility for further development  Peconic Landing has existing security and maintenance, along with other amenities for residents  Peconic Landing assumes that a percentage of apartments will be available for people who work at Peconic Landing, a portion of their current workforce has multiple jobs to sustain themselves and their families.  Peconic Landing has an existing partnership with Stony Brook Medicine (another local employer)  Anticipated that priority will be given to healthcare workers, EMT, Fire, etc.  Potential for private investments from local businesses to secure apartments for staff.  Peconic Landing’s existing workforce has a need for local housing, and they have hiring needs as well for CNAs, servers, and housekeepers.  Proposed project will have a common room/building potentially with laundry, community room, and other resources. Still in concept phase. Residents may also have access to other Peconic Landing amenities.  Applicant noted that fees from various agencies (SCWA, DOT, etc.)and taxes can impact per unit costs for development.  Committee discussion:  Town Board and Town Attorney looking at feasibility of increasing density of AHD  Current parcel is split R-80/HD  If all HD then the applicant would not need to apply for AHD  SEQRA Process will want to look at traffic and trip generation, among other factors  Explore change of zone from R-80 to HD  How to address local housing need and balance with legal concerns around language viewed as potentially discriminatory.  Walsh Park example of utilizing HD zoning for increasing housing with private investments Agenda Item: North Fork Villas Location: Cutchogue Zoning: R-40/R-80 Number of Units: 24 Project Summary: Located within the HALO Zone and on the local bus route, this privately-funded project proposes 22 two- bedroom units and 2 three-bedroom rental units, along with a common building that houses laundry, shared community space, and a management office on a 3.2 acre parcel in Cutchogue. Target income levels are 80-120% of Median Income. Present for Applicant (via Zoom): Andy Cruz, Leo Cruz, and Holly from Cruz Brothers Construction; Lisa Foyer from Twin Fork Permitting; and Karen Hoeg Discussion:  Company has residential and commercial properties primarily on South Fork. They have existing management and maintenance teams for their portfolio. This would be the first workforce housing development.  Previously presented to the Housing Advisory Commission  Committee questioned the size of the units, 2 and 3-bedrooms under 600 sq. ft.  Applicant stated that the sanitary flow requirements were limiting for size  Potential for Southold to look at double density and utilize the sanitary flow credit bank for “super offsets”  Some concerns around interior layout, placement of windows, and flow of apartment interior to improve quality of life for residents. Also noted lack of storage and lack of defined outdoor space.  Applicant was amenable to design feedback, and is eager to work with the Town on making this project successful, there is an option for a basement storage area for residents.  Role of financing – all privately funded. Agenda Item: Next Steps & Follow-Up  Apartments at Brecknock Next Steps: o Planning Department will schedule meeting that includes: Planning Department, Mike Verity, Town Attorney, and applicant to discuss zoning and path forward for this project.  North Fork Villas Next Steps: o Planning Department will share sanitary flow credit information with the applicant. o Applicant will consider design feedback and the possibility of having more units in the future to determine potential phasing of project.