2004-12-06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Mr. Lynch asked about an arrangement for profit sharing if houses are sold, and Mr. Armstrong said they are starting to do that in the Page Street area. He said that if the City requires this he will do it. Mr. Lynch said he feels the neighborhoods have legitimate concerns about not accelerating gentrification, but said investment is needed. He said what PHA is doing is the last chance we have to keep them affordable. He said there is an advantage to having PHA do upgrades to the neighborhood without gentrification. Dr. Brown suggested that Mr. Armstrong meet again with the neighborhood since it has been awhile since he met with them. He said this will give him an opportunity to explain that the houses will stay affordable. Dr. Brown questioned whether the matter should be deferred until after Council discusses the land lease resolution and until after the neighborhood meeting. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Armstrong said that he is due to close on one of the properties by the end of December, and does not want to commit without having the City funding. Mr. Schilling made a motion to defer the matter until after the meeting with the affected neighborhood. Mr. Schilling's motion died for lack of a second. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Armstrong said he could try to extend the closing date. Ms. Hamilton said she generally supports the project if the land lease option can be pursued and affordability can be locked in. She said that if we do that she thinks the neighborhood objection will mostly disappear. Ms. Hamilton made a motion to authorize funds for the Dice Street Improvement Project, Mr. Lynch seconded the motion, and it was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch. Noes: Mr. Schilling. ORDINANCES: CLOSING ROUGEMONT AVENUE, LEANDER AVENUE AND ALLEY OFF OF RIALTO Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said that the Planning Commission recommended closing of Rougemont Avenue, Leander Avenue and the alley off of Rialto. He said no payment is recommended because the alley will be replaced by a dedicated right of way. He said Leander is located in a creek. Ms. Hamilton asked about plans to protect the creek, and Mr. Tolbert said the PUD development leaves a substantial buffer and they will need to follow the stream protection ordinance. Mr. Lynch expressed concern that the City not lose interest in Leander because he wants to preserve the creek. He recommended that the City hold onto it and keep it public property which would not damage the applicant's position. He proposed that compensation in the form of a third affordable housing unit, which would make the development roughly meet the City's guidelines. Mr. Tolbert said it would be better to apply the affordable housing requirement to the other applicant. Responding to a question from Dr. Brown, Mr. Tolbert said the Planning Commission saw no benefit to the City or to the property owner in closing Leander Street.