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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/15/2015 Town of Southold Housing advisory commisSion MEETING MINUTES MEETING # 103 April 15, 2015 Present: Dan Sarnowski, Fred Andrews, LeRoy Heyliger, Michael Herbert, William Dougherty, Excused: Eric Dantes and Phillip Beltz. Rona Smith, John Vahey, Beth Motschenbacher, Jeanne Kelley and Councilman Jim Dinizio. Meeting began at 5:35 p.m. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of February 11th were approved. First-Time Homebuyer CPF Exemption: Three exemptions were approved for April. Habitat for Humanity: Dan suggested that HAC volunteer one day in May for Habitat home in Orient, some preferred weekdays and others weekend. Phillip will check with Habitat but most likely it will be their decision. Discussion with Superintendents re School Enrollment: Agreement that discussion is important in support of affordable housing as capacity is declining and opponents continue to argue that affordable housing will burden taxation for schools. Meeting with David Gamberg and Anne Smith would provide information regarding Southold, Greenport and Mattituck/Cutchogue schools. Dan is willing to set-up meeting with them and would welcome additional member of HAC to join him. Cutchogue Convent: Per Dan’s suggestion, Phillip forwarded query to Catholic Charities housing director regarding status of site and if they would consider developing affordable senior housing at the former convent site. He is awaiting response. Supervisor Request of Committees: Town committees are requested to elect chairs and/or co-chairs, record minutes and set goals/objectives for 2015. Tabled for next meeting, however, several items discussed at meeting would warrant consideration for possible goals: cultivate partnerships with schools, employers, fire departments to promote importance of affordable housing, seek out potential development opportunities through meeting with property owners, developers, realtors, etc., reconsider sites other than designated HALO zones, continue public education forums, etc. Zombie Houses: Suffolk County is developing a pilot program to aid municipalities in addressing blight from “zombie houses”—those properties nearing foreclosure. Beginning with the Towns of Babylon and Brookhaven, money will be given for municipalities to work with non-profits (Habitat, Long Island Housing Partnership, CDCLI, etc.) to renovate homes for affordable housing. Public Education Forum-“What is Affordable Housing”: Everyone agreed that content presented by Dan and Beth was excellent. Additional meeting will be scheduled in near future. Suggestion that the next meeting should be held at Town Hall with taping of video for Channel 22. Fred suggested inviting members of the Planning Board as well as ongoing dialogue with them. Setting Sales Price, Rentals, etc.: Suffolk County has issued the 2015 income levels but not the affordable rental amounts. HAC will discuss when rentals are issued. Pending Items: (no report on the following) Incentives/Tax Credits for Development of Affordable Apartments o Potential Housing Unit via Inclusionary Zoning o Frank Scarola Proposed Condominium Units in Southold o Fair Housing lawsuit o Other: Phillip reported that he recently met with local realtor, Tom McCarthy, who is representing client who will provide affordable housing through inclusionary zoning. He has several thoughts to share with HAC regarding the setting of sales price, relevance to interest rates and ability to get mortgage and volunteered to attend future meeting. Agreement to invite to June meeting. The meeting concluded at 6:48 p.m. Next Meeting is scheduled for Date:Wednesday, May 13th at 5:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Phillip Beltz