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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Planning Commission - 09/25/1991 MINUTES REGULAR PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL SEPTEMBER 25, 1991 - 6:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Mims, Chairman Mike Karm, Vice Chairman Ralph Hall Jake Sanchez William Sanderson Alma Meinrath Elizabeth C. Hoelscher Lamont Taylor MEMBERS ABSENT: Ro Wickham STAFF PRESENT: Brandol M. Harvey, Director of Planning Joann Dominguez, Administrative Assistant Kelly Elizondo, Senior Director of Housing Lorenzo Gonzalez, Building Official Michael Gunning, Senior City Planner Ruben Perez, Assistant City Attorney Guillermo Pulido, City Planner Lorraine San Miguel, Recording Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairman Mims called the meeting to order and described the procedure to be followed. PUBLIC HEARING COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGY: This public hearing on the proposed housing affordability strategy was scheduled to allow comment from the Planning Commission and other interested housing constituents. Mr. Kelly Elizondo presented to the Commission the following Executive Summary on the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy. In the past, the federal government has required local planning documents as a condition to receive certain types of funding to local government. A Housing Assistance Plan (HAP) was required under the Community Development Block Grant Program. Later, a Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP) was required as a condition of approval of funding under the Stuart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. Now the National Affordable Housing Act has created a new planning document for use by units of general local governments - the CHAS (Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy). The purpose of the new planning document is not to deal with funding sources, but to examine housing needs in a holistic manner, establishing goals, and developing a plan for carrying out activities. The housing strategy serves as an action-oriented management tool for local governments. SCANNED Planning Commission Meeting September 25, 1991 Page 2 In the CHAS, the City of Corpus Christi will estimate the housing assistance needs of its very low- income, low-income, and moderate income families, including the needs of homeless individuals and families, and assess the availability of unassisted housing,assisted housing,and other resources for addressing these needs. On the basis of this information, the City of Corpus Christi has developed a strategy for meeting housing assistance needs over the coming five (5) year period. The Act requires that, in order to receive funding the City of Corpus Christi under certain HUD programs must have a CHAS that has been approved by HUD for a fiscal year. The Act requires that an application include a certification of consistency of the proposal (for grant funds)with an approved housing strategy for the jurisdiction in which the proposed project will be located. The Act affirms the national goal that every American Family be able to afford decent housing in a safe and livable neighborhood. Among the new housing programs the Act created to assist State and local governments achieve this national housing policy are the HOME Investment Partnerships (created by Title II of the Act) and the HOPE programs (created by Titles IV, V and VIII of the Act). The centerpiece to these new programs, as well as to management of existing programs, is the Act's requirement that State and local governments must have Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategies. The instructions for the development of the CHAS were released in late June and training was provided by HUD in mid July. The development of the CHAS has received tremendous assistance from the Department of Planning. Staff has published the required ads in the newspaper and the document is available for public review. Staff anticipates having a public hearing before the City Council on October 22, 1991. The date of submission for the document to HUD is after November 8, but not later than December 16. The best way to define the CHAS is a process by which five year housing needs are identified, those needs are assessed, and prioritization is given to those needs. The one year plan in essence implements proposals based upon the identification and the assessment that has taken place. The development of the CHAS has been a very intensive effort as a result of the time lines that are being imposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In trying to use the 1980 and 1990 Census data and local surveys, studies has been extremely difficult to develop for the CHAS. An approach has been taken on identifying the needs conceptually and identifying a significant portion of our population that need assistance to securing safe, decent and sanitary housing which is affordable. This makes it imperative to focus and identify the needs in conceptual form rather than a specific number of units needed. However,we recognize that it is imperative to have these needs identified and referenced as units for grant funds. The sources used for the compilation of this CHAS submittal included the 1980 Census, 1990 Census, the approved HAP and CHAP for the City of Corpus Christi, data provided by Metro Ministries (primary service provider to the homeless),Nueces County MHMR Community Center,Board of Realtors,Corpus Christi Housing Authority, and Project Compass (needs assessment survey), a local housing conditions survey. The public hearing process will play a major role in allowing constructive public discussion of the CHAS. The City of Corpus Christi CHAS addresses various segments of the City with the major priorities and strategies focusing on assistance for very low-income,low-income and moderate income family needs for housing. The City of Corpus Christi CHAS has been developed with input from various sectors of our community. The following needs are identified as priorities. Planning Commission Meeting September 25, 1991 Page 3 Priority One: Make available safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable housing to very low-to-moderate income home owners and buyers by assisting in: 1) the preservation and rehabilitation of existing housing; 2) in the development of affordable home ownership opportunities to the very low-to-moderate income individuals. These priorities will be addressed by providing for moderate rehabilitation programs for owner-occupied properties in the form of direct loans, grants and private source funding. Developing a program by which property becomes available through RTC, HUD, FDIC, etc. could be acquired and made standard with rehabilitation loans and grants funded through the HOME program. Infill housing within the CDBG target areas will be a goal for the purpose of replacing substandard housing or creating new housing within the target area. The housing replacement program would be utilized where rehabilitation is not feasible or cost effective or vacant land is available. A Home Ownership Program(HOP) has been identified as a means by which low-income persons who do not have the funds needed for the pre-paid expense and the down payment required for home ownership would be assisted. This program would include educational and training opportunities so families can learn about the responsibilities of home ownership. The HOP would give priority to those individuals who are availing themselves of services being provided through programs that promote low interest mortgages. The substantial rehabilitation program will be targeted to homeowners whose homes require rehabilitation costing more than$25,000 per unit. This program will be linked with private funding in a manner which would encourage local financial institutions to reinvest in targeted neighborhoods. Priority Two: Providing for safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable rental units for very low to moderate income persons. A moderate rehabilitation program is needed to protect existing rental stock. The program will define moderate rehabilitation to be those rental properties where the total costs for rehabilitation is less than$25,000. To take advantage of inventories that may be available as a result of foreclosures, we propose an acquisition and rehabilitation activity for the purpose of developingthe foreclosed properties as affordable rental housing opportunities for the low and very low income and for persons with special housing needs. Non-profit corporations would be encouraged to undertake these efforts. A rental assistance program would also be developed and targeted to assist persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless,the very low income, and persons with disabilities. The thrust of the rental assistance program is to help with and to prevent homelessness. Rental assistance to persons with physical or mental disabilities would also be a priority of this program. New construction for housing for persons with special housing needs would be supported throughout Corpus Christi. Substantial rehabilitation to protect existing housing stock in order to continue affordable rental opportunities for the low to moderate income will be pursued as a priority. The need to provide supportive services to homeless persons and to assist persons who are at risk of being homeless is considered a priority. To address this priority, efforts would be undertaken to increase emergency shelter capacity to meet the needs of this growing population and by providing funds for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and operating costs of transitional housing. Service coordination and the delivery of mental health services to the homeless is an identified need. Persons identified as having special needs would be provided access to all housing assistance programs and essential supportive services. The special needs population includes the following: persons with disabilities, low income elderly, persons with AIDS. Rental assistance programs, group homes, Section 202 housing, and housing for the disabled will be aggressively pursued. These activities arc identified as being priorities for funding through the HOME program. The development of information and technical assistance to organizations whose mission is emergency shelters and/or provisions of housing to the low and moderate income individuals is identified as a priority. Planning Commission Meeting September 25, 1991 _ _ Page 4 During the public hearing,we hope to hear from service providers and consumer advocates of housing. The current Legislation requires an annual effort for this purpose. We hope to have your recommendation and citizen's input finalized by mid-October so we can proceed with a scheduled public hearing before the City Council on October 22, 1991. Mr.Foster Edwards,Executive Vice President of the Corpus Christi Board of Realtors,appeared before the Commission in favor of this proposed affordable housing project. He stated this project is a step-by-step plan and has a realistic approach to help solve some of the issues presented. He added that this plan has specified all types of issues and details considered in helping homeless, low-income and moderate income families. The Board of Realtors expressed their concerns on helping low to moderate income families and helping families get into rental properties. Mr.Edwards commended Staff on the excellent work they have done and requested the Commission to adopt this project. Mr.Aaron Diaz,Nueces County MHMR, appeared before the Commission in support. He gave credit to Staff on the outstanding work accomplished and expressed a special emphasis on the housing needs for the homeless mentally ill females and opportunities on low rental housing for the mentally disabled who are capable to live independently. Commissioner Mims asked if group housing has to meet any handicapped requirements. Mr. Diaz responded that any group housing that becomes available would have to meet any handicap requirements. Mr. Lupe Silvas, Corpus Christi Board of Realtors, appeared before the Commission in support of the Affordable Housing Project. He commented that certain issues he is interested in are first time homebuyers and a counselor that will help first time homebuyers become aware of the housing opportunities. There was some discussion concerning the education and the counseling services that may be available for the homeless, low and moderate income families being presented in the affordable housing project. No one appeared in opposition of this project and the public hearing was declared closed. The Commission decided to take action on the Affordable Housing Strategy during the next regular scheduled meeting of October 9, 1991. Planning Commission Meeting September 25, 1991 Page 5 NEW PLATS 089147-P25 YORKTOWN HEIGHTS ANNEX, LOTS 1-A & 1-B (FINAL REPLAT - 3.905 ACRES) Located south of Yorktown Boulevard east of Waldron Road. Owner - Raymond G. Cockrill & Darlene A. Cockrill Engineer - Gunter Engineering Mr. Gunning stated that there are no conditions remaining on this plat, and Staff recommends approval as submitted. No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the public hearing was declared closed. Motion by Karm,seconded by Sanderson,that this plat be approved as submitted. Motion passed with Hall,Hoelscher,Meinrath,Sanchez,Sanderson,Taylor,Karm and Mims voting aye,and Wickham being absent. DISCUSSION ON CODE ENFORCEMENT A presentation by Staff on Code Enforcement issues and policies, with possible formulation of recommendations to the City Council. Mr. Brandol Harvey, Director of Planning, stated that Planning Commission's primary mission is to try and give directions and make decisions that result in appropriate development of the City. Previous Planning Commissions have communicated to City Council in the past that code enforcement is a concern and they have, in particular, pointed out some special permits as being questionable on whether all conditions and signs are being met all of the time. Mr. Harvey informed the Commission that the Planning Department, Legal Department, Housing and Community Development, and the Building Inspection Department work together almost continuously when there is an issue concerning any type of zoning problem. These departments have come before the Commission to present any suggestions to help the Code Enforcement and relate these suggestions to the City Council. Mr. Harvey, stated that some training sessions have been held with Building, Planning and Legal Staff concerning sign/landscape regulations. One attempt being held at this time is combining our geographical information system with Building Inspections data. This will help the Building Inspections Department verify the land use and zoning data that may be appropriate for what is being proposed. Mr. Harvey suggested that existing field staff should be trained to find some of these violations and report these violations to the Building Inspections Department. Developing the geographic information system involves tying in all departments to a common data base and a common process so that all departments have access to this information and that there are no contradictions of data between departments. This process will take some time to be developed. One final suggestion was that there should be more discussions with Planning Commission, City Council and Staff on how City Ordinances should be administered after adoption. Planning Commission Meeting September 25, 1991 Page 6 Mr. Lorenzo Gonzalez, Building Official, appeared before the Commission with some suggestions on Code Enforcement. He stated that Planning Commission should give consideration in pursuing zoning enforcement by deciding what type of policy will be maintained. Our current policy is a reactive enforcement. A decision should be made on whether a reactive or proactive enforcement is desired. Proposals have been made in earlier years for additional zoning inspectors and zoning coordinators, but none of these has been approved. With limited resources these zoning issues cannot be addressed properly. Recently there have been several groups reviewing building inspections operations. All groups have decided that a geographic information system is needed. There was some discussion concerning the need and the amount of designated zoning inspectors and the types of violations that need to be researched concerning the Code Enforcement. Mr. Kelly Elizondo, Senior Director of Housing and Community Development, appeared before the Commission with suggestions concerning the Code Enforcement. He stated that the sign ordinance enforcement is inspected by Neighborhood Improvement Inspectors. He added that sign complaints are not as common as expected. He suggested that the appropriate issues which enhance any code enforcement activity should be changed through changing the Legislation at the local and state level. Also, we need to get involved with administrative hearings, rather than judicial hearings. There was some discussion on the sign complaints Housing and Community Development receives and designation of an inspector to investigate only sign violations. Also discussed was the administrative hearings and becoming proactive. Finally, the geographic information system and the time of becoming on line within departments was discussed. The Commissioners discussed presenting a letter to City Council with suggestions on additional staff for code enforcement and suggested on requesting an answer from City Council concerning this issue. Commissioner Sanchez stated that the letter to be written for City Council should be forwarded when completed and copies distributed to the Commissioners. Motion by Hoelscher, seconded by Hall, that Vice Chairman Karm and Chairman Mims write a letter with recommendations concerning additional staff for code enforcement be presented to City Council. Motion passed with Hall,Hoelscher,Meinrath,Sanchez, Sanderson,Taylor,Karm and Mims voting aye, and Wickham being absent. MATTERS NOT SCHEDULED . Mr. Harvey informed the Planning Commissioners who are attending the TXAPA Conference are registered and informed them of the times the receptions and sessions begin. Mr. Harvey informed the Planning Commission that City Council approved the third reading and finalized the packet of text changes that the Planning Commission forwarded to the City Council. Planning Commission Meeting September 25, 1991 Page 7 EXCUSED ABSENCES Commissioners Hoelscher, Meinrath, and Taylor were not excused for the absence at the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting of September 11, 1991. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Karm,seconded by Sanderson,that the minutes of the regular meeting of September 11,1991 be approved. Motion passed with Hall, Hoelscher, Meinrath, Sanchez, Sanderson, Taylor, Karm and Mims voting aye, and Wickham being absent. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:36 p.m. . ...,...... .,_ _ f lil e. f /7-- '4,,_.,L Bran of M. Harvey L rraine San Miguel Director of Planning Recording Secretary Executive Secretary to Planning Commission • (E:MINUTES9)