HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/12/2014
F.
'COINN OF SOUTHOLD
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
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MEETING #92
March 12, 2014
Present: Dan Sarnowski, Rona Smith, LeRoy Heyliger, Michael Herbert, Eric Dantes, John Vahey, William
Dougherty, Jeanne Kelley and Phillip Beltz. Excused: Fred Andrews and Beth Motschenbacher. Meeting
began at 5:30 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of February 12th were approved.
Introductions and Welcome to Jim Dinizio, Town Board Liaison:
Follow up Discussion: Revisons to Code for Hamlet Business Districts and Accessory
Apartment Review: Both topics have been referred to the Code Committee.
Status of CPF Tax Exemption: Phillip reported that he and Fred met with the Town
Board to discuss HAC proposed CPF tax exemption for first-time homebuyers. The Town
Board agreed with the alternative formula proposed by Senator LaValle's office. Phillip will
write letter on behalf of Supervisor and Town Board requesting support of the proposed
amendment to tax law section 14490ee.
Habitat for Humanity: The property closed and title transferred to Habitat. Applications
from four households of the Oysterponds' school district were forwarded to Habitat for their
consideration.
Re-issue of RFP: Dan presented issues for consideration, as noted below:
Size/scope of project
Zoning
Land availability and cost
. Other East End housing projects
Potential developers
Discussion of why there was a lack of response to the RFP. A major impediment is that
very little land is available for development within HALO zones and this land is expensive.
Phillip stated that the Town Board would consider properties contiguous to HALO zones if
necessary. Rona stated that cost is the major factor why developers declined to pursue
the RFP because economically it does not work. Incentives are needed beyond change of
zone that provides greater density. The issuance of bonds could also assist.
Annually the Town Board sets a fee for affordable housing units not built within
subdivisions; however, there is no money in the Housing Fund due to pending litigation
with developers. Ultimately this funding (if approved by the Town Board) could be used
towards providing financial incentives.
HAC members continue to recommend that apartment rentals be targeted to all residents,
as opposed to senior citizens. Several HAC members suggested that mixed market rentals
would enable developers to build affordable units and possibly yield a profit. Agreement
that HAC should host a meeting (brainstorming session, roundtable, etc.) with (developers,
non-profits, realtors, others-to be determined) to ascertain what would be necessary to
issue a RFP that would be successfully received and generate responses. This will be
further discussed at the next meeting.
Alternatives for Sacred Heart Church: As follow-up to last month's discussion, Phillip
noted that the Supervisor stated that the Town must strategize to find alternative uses for
churches that no longer function with congregations. This may require adaptive re-use of
sites with new zoning. He requested that the Planning Board review and meet with the
Town Board in the near future with recommendations.
Meeting Ended 6:40 p.m. - Next Meeting Date: April gth @ 5:30 p.m. @ Town Hall
meeting room.
Respectfully submitted,
Phillip Beltz