HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/08/2008 Town of Southold
Housing advisory con~nisSion
MEETING MINUTES
MEETING #34
September 8th, 2008
Present: Rona Smith, Bill Gatz, LeRoy Heyliger, John Vahey, Jenny Gould and Phillip
Beltz. Also present, Kevin Webster, Chief Assessor.
Excused: Nancy Pester, Don Leslie, Jr., Leslie Weisman, Margaret Minichini and Lori
Pfeiffer.
The meeting began at 5:35 p.m.
Review of Auqust '13th Minutes:
Tabled.
Apartment Recommendations
· Developing financial incentives so affordable units are built-Kevin Webster
Chief Assessor. Primary "incentive" is that if apartment units are built within a
house by code and contain a kitchen and bath, there is no increased tax
assessment. In addition, primary homeowners qualify for the STAR
exemption of $580 property tax. While assessments may vary depending
on property location (frontage to water, etc.) the basic formula of assessment
for an existing home is $3.50 square foot of living space on the first floor and
$2.00 on the second floor. Developing apartments outside of the home (e.g.--
barns, garages) would impact the homeowners' assessment rate. The rate
for structures not in the home are $1.25 square foot first floor living space and
$1.00 upstairs.
According to Kevin (as per original recommendation by HAC) to exempt or
lessen assessment formula for the creation of affordable housing would
require approval from the State Senate and State Legislature. Based on the
aforementioned, HAC members think their efforts should concentrate on
incentives such as fast-tracking, exemption of application fees and pre-
application fees, Iow-cost and/or interest-free loans/grants would be more
feasible to stimulate the creation of apartments.
Income limits--implications if household exceeds income limit-tabled.
Review of apartment rental prices, Phillip provided a sampling of apartment
rentals that he obtained from the Suffolk Times in August and September.
The Town's affordable limit is much lower than market rents. It is possible
that HAC may wish to recommend that Town Board consider setting rental
limits relative to income (i.e. 80% area medium income, etc.)
Next Meetinq Aqenda Items
Phillip will invite the Planning Board and Planning Department staffto discuss
HAC recommendations. This may take place at a Planning Dept. meeting on
Monday evenings. Also, John Vahey will provide a preliminary estimate for the
construction costs for developing apartment units.
Housinq Applications and Housinq Instructions
Phillip informed HAC that he developed new applications and instructions
relevant to recent legislative changes that may be found on the Town's website.
In addition to the application and instructions for housing assistance, there is one
for "age-restricted" housing.
Realtor "affordable home tours" Phillip reported that several realtors have
developed "affordable home tours" and placed ads listing homes in the moderate
range from 300-500 thousand dollars.
For Distribution: News-Review, August 28 & Newsday, September 9
Other:
Based on the discussion of the News-Review article provided by LeRoy,
regarding Riverhead's initiative, HAC members would like to schedule a future
meeting with the Riverhead Accessory Apartment Review Board--they meet at
6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month.
Next Meetinq Date-Monday, October 6th at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall meeting room
with the Planning Board and Planning Department staff.