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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-12-19 PZC MINUTES• CITY OF ENGLEWOOD PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION December 19, 1978 7:00 P. M. I. CALL TO ORDER. The regular meeting of the City Planning and Zoning Commission was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman Draper. Members present: Becker, Bilo, Draper, Lathrop, Pierson, Smith Wanush , Ex-officio Members absent: McClintock, Tanguma, Williams Also present: Assistant Director Romans; Associate Planner Fessenden. Mr. Draper welcomed Mrs, Marjorie Becker and Mr. Joseph Bilo to the Commission. Mrs. Becker was appointed to fill the un- expired term of Chalmerse A. Parker, and Mr. Bilo was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Larry Owens. Mr. McClintock entered and took his seat with the Commission. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Mr. Draper stated that the Minutes of November 14, 1978, were to be considered for approval. Smith :moved: Lathrop seconded: The Minutes of November 14, 1978, be approved as written. AYES: Draper, Lathrop, Pierson, Smith NAYS: _None ABSTAIN: Becker, Bilo, Mcclintock ABSENT: Williams, Tanguma The motion carried. Mr. Draper stated that the affirmation of the regarding the Findings South Santa Fe Drive. Lathrop moved: McClintock seconded: the next item of consideration would be telephone poll taken on December 5, 1978, of Fact for the Ragsdale zoning at 4535 The Planning Commission affirm the record of the telephone poll taken on December 5, 1978, regarding the Findings of Fact of the Ragsdale zoning designation at 4535 South Santa Fe Drive. AYES: NAYS: Draper, Lathrop, Pierson, Smith None -2- ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Becker, Bilo, McClintock Tanguma, Williams The motion carried. III. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 1979 Application CASE #22-78 Mr . Wanush stated that each year block grant funds are made available to communities throughout the country, and that the City o f Englewood is now putting an application together for presentation to HUD. He stated that the formal presentation to the Commission would be made by Associate Planner Alice Fessenden. Miss Fessenden stated that the Community Development Block Grant Program is sponsored by HUD, and that Englewood is in- volved in the "small cities program", which is competitive for cities with under 50,000 population. She explained that funds are automatically available for cities exceeding the 50,000 population figure. The monies obtained through the Block Grant Program may be used for housing activities --rehabilitation, etc., but not for new construction of housing or public buildings. It may be used for the acquisition of land, however. Miss Fessenden stated that there are two approaches to the Community Development Block Grant program --the single-purpose grant, which must be used for one activity, and is funded for one year, and the Comprehensive grant. The funds obtained in the single-purpose grant program must be used on housing pro- grams, public facilities which affect public health and safety, or for economic development. The Comprehensive grant applies to a specific area of the city; the problems within that specific area must be described in detail and the use of that money to alleviate these problems must be set forth in detail also. A Comprehensive grant may be awarded for one year, or for a multi-year program. Miss Fessenden stated that the monies available through the single-purpose grant program are budgeted at $807,250 -$1,130,150; a ceiling on the grant amount for a single-purpose grant is $375,000. Monies available in the comprehensive grant program range from $2,098,850 -$2,421,750 with a ceiling amount of $850,000 for a comprehensive one-year grant, and a multi-year comprehensive grant ceiling of $1,500,000 . All applications are judged by a point system which is weighted toward housing improvement and benefit to low and moderate in- come residents. Miss Fessenden stated that an application was made in 1977, at which time $150,000 was awarded the City; these funds have been used in the Housing Rehabilitation Program. These funds were combined with monies obtained from the City and State to • t -3- establish a line of credit with the banks to finance the re- habilitation loan programo The program really got underway a little over a year ago, and 58 loans have been approved in this time. It is estimated that the block grant funds ($150,000) will run out in the spring or early summer of 1979. Miss Fessenden stated that an application was made in 1978 for a comprehensive grant; the City was ranked seventh out of te~ and was not awarded a grant. The staff is now working on a 1979 application, and is looking toward a single-purpose grant for funding to support the rehabilitation program. If the City is successful in the application, and if funds are awarded to the City, they would not be available until late summer. Miss Fessenden stressed that the rehabilitation program is a successful program and that the funds do indeed go to the benefit of the low and moderate income resident. The pre-application is due in the HUD office on January 15th. A time schedule drawn by the staff calls for the initial public hearing before the Community Development Department staff on December 21st, and the second public hearing before City Council on January 8th. It is hoped that there will be citizen input in drafting the application, and throughout the implementation of the program. Miss Fessenden stated that the Planning Com- mission is involved in the citizen participation process, and pointed out that considerable use has been made of the recom- mendations set forth in the Housing section of the Comprehensive Plan revision. The Planning Commission will also be involved in the complaint procedure. Mr. Draper asked for further explanation on the use of the bank monies and the line of credit. Miss Fessenden stated that an escrow account of $50,000 has been established using the money from the City of Englewood, and that a line of credit from the banks has been established in the amount of $450,000, based on this escrow account. There is additional security to the banks in that the loans are secured by a deed of trust. Miss Fessenden pointed out that there are five target areas in the City of Englewood --concentrations of substandard and deteriorating housing. Anyone residing within these target areas can qualify for a loan, which may be for as much as $12,000 if not subsidized, but if subsidized the loan limit is $10,000. These funds are used to correct serious code violations, energy conservation, and incipient code violations as well as general property improvement. The City does the billing and collecting of the loans, and follows up on any delinquent loans. There has been some minor problem with delinquencies, and the ability to foreclose is written into the program. Ms. Pierson asked if these loans are low-interest? Miss Fessenden stated that the money from the banks is currently -4-' available to the Englewood Housing Authority at approximately 8%, and is loaned out at approximately 9 %. If the loan is to ~ a low-income resident, a formula is used to determine what .., percent interest they can afford, and if a subsidy is warranted, the subsidy is applied on the "front end" of the loan, which lowers the amount repaid. Every effort is made to work out a payment schedule to fit the needs and means of the individual. Under the current program, loans are made on owner/occupied properties. Investors may also be eligible for loans; however, investors must have been turned down by two banks normally making such loans for the same amount they request from the Rehab Program, and the intent of the loan must be the same. Rent levels must remain within the fair market rent level established by the Federal Government, and the investor must apply on property that is within a target area. Mr. Draper expressed his appreciation for Miss Fessenden's presentation. Mr. Smith stated that he felt the Rehabilitation Program has been a very successful program --it is well managed, and has been well received by the public. Mr. Wanush stated that a request would be made for an "emergency fund" whereby the work could be authorized immediately in case of a hazardous situation, such as a furnace going out, etc. Mr. Smith stated that he felt one of the strong points of the program is that low income and very low income persons, such as the elderly on a fixed income, may have their homes brought up to code and yet continue to maintain their independence, by utilizing a deferred payment plan --payments are not made until the property changes hands. Mr. Wanush stated that every attempt will be made to keep this program going . Even if additional Community Development Block Grant funds are not forthcoming, the staff hopes to meet with the participating banks to establish an additional $450,000 line of credit, and the Housing Authority is considering an approach to the City for additional funds to continue the subsidy portion of the program. Mr. Bilo noted that Miss Fessenden had indicated that 58 loans have been approved under this program; he asked how many loan applications had actually been received? Miss Fessenden stated that very few applications have been denied. She acknowledged that there have been many inquiries, and that some of the people have been over-income, didn't live in a target area, or had .a second deed of trust on the property already --the program is not designed to accept a third deed of trust. Discussion ensued. Pierson moved: Lathrop seconded: -5- The Planning Commission support the endeavor to make application for the Community De- velopment Block Grant funds to be used in the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. AYES: Smith, Becker, Bilo, Draper, Lathrop, McClintock, Pierson NAYS: None ABSENT: Tanguma, Williams The motion carried. IV. AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE Mr. Draper noted that Mr. Lathrop's written report of his attendance at the ASPO Conference in Indianapolis April 29 to May 5, 1978, was enclosed. Mr. Lathrop discussed his report and attendance at this con- ference, stating that he felt it is well worth-while for a Com- mission member to attend. Mr. Wanush noted that the 1979 APA Conference is to be held in Miami Beach March 4th thru March 7th ·. The Commission does usually send one member to the Conference. He suggested that a decision need not necessarily be made this evening, but that the staff should be sending in reservations, etc. in the early part of January. Mr. Draper asked if there were volunteers interested in going? Mr. Smith indicated that he would be interested in attending. Mrs. Pierson stated that she would be interested in going, but that she had attended the Conference in Washington, D.C. in 1976, and felt that someone who has not gone should have that opportunity. Mr. Lathrop also indicated h e would be in- terested in attending .. Pierson moved: Lathrop seconded: The Commission designate Donald L. R. Smith to attend the 1979 American Planning Association Conference in Miami Beach , Florida, March 4th through March 7th. AYES: Pierson, Becker, Bilo, Draper, Lathrop, McClintock NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Smith ABSENT: Tanguma, Williams The motion carried. -6-' V . DIRECTOR'S CHOICE Mr. Wanush stated that Mr. Kirk Wickersham is sponsoring a seminar on the Special Permit Zoning System in Frisco on January 26th; there is a $50 registration fee. He suggested that members who are interested in attending this seminar should notify the staff. Mr. Wanush discussed the seminar on contract zoning that was sponsored by the CML and held in November at Cinderella City . He stated that there have been many favorable comments on this seminar, and, in fact, a similar presentation is to be arranged for a City Manager's meeting which is scheduled to be held early in 1979. VII. COMMISSION'S CHOICE Mr. Smith noted that the new rosters printed have an incorrect home phone number for him; the number should be 781-3165. Mr. McClintock stated that this would be his last meeting with the Commission, inasmuch as he is moving from the City of Englewood. He stated that he has enjoyed his association with the Planning Commission, and stated that the Commission has a very ambitious schedule facing it. He stated that it is with regret that he must tender his resignation, and wished the Commission well in their undertakings. The Commission wished Mr. McClintock well and expressed their regret at his resignation. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 P.M.