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8 <br /> Mr. Brown said he was contacted by Piedmont Housing Alliance last week about <br />the deed for property the City sold them on John Street for four market rate and two <br />affordable rate townhouses. He said that the deed indicates that the properties must <br />remain owner occupied in perpetuity, and this has caused problems with an upcoming <br />sale. Mr. Brown said that PHA wants the provision to only apply to the initial purchaser. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said that he was involved in the property transaction as a staff member <br />and as a member of the PHA Board, and his recollection is that ownership would not be <br />required in perpetuity. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if the language is different than in other contracts with PHA. <br /> <br /> Mr. Peter Loach, representing PHA, said he is not sure, but he does not know of <br />any other requirements for homeownership in perpetuity. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said he could understand why the provision was included given that <br />the property is located in a student area, and Council probably did not want it to be turned <br />into student housing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked if it is PHA’s intention for the property to remain owner <br />occupied, and Mr. Loach said yes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said PHA did not receive a subsidy from the City. <br /> <br /> Ms. Edwards asked about contracts with Habitat for Humanity, and Mr. Tolbert, <br />Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said that the City has equity sharing <br />agreements with Habitat, that if the property is sold the City gets a percentage of the <br />investment back. Mr. Tolbert noted that PHA also has concerned about restrictions on <br />the sales price. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown suggested that the cost issue be discussed at a later time. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said that given that there was no City subsidy involved and the property <br />was sold at market rate at that time, he made a motion that the provision be changed so as <br />not to require ownership in perpetuity for the six properties. Mr. Taliaferro seconded the <br />motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he is concerned about the financing problems. He said he does <br />not have a problem with rental housing, but noted that the language in the deed that <br />requires homeownership is clear. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said his only concern would be if students live there. <br /> <br /> Council agreed to change the deed language to indicate that only the initial sale of <br />the properties must be for homeownership by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. <br />Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown provided Council with a copy of an environmental check list as <br />recommended by the Sustainability Committee for City projects. He said as Council <br />thinks about issues this checklist could be used in the decision making process. <br /> <br /> Mr. O’Connell reminded Councilors that the restoration of the downtown mall <br />st <br />will be discussed and voted on at the July 21 meeting, and if they have any specific <br />questions or issues they should give them to staff in advance of that meeting. <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br /> Mr. James Franklin Fitzgerald said Council is talking about spending $7.5 million <br />on the downtown mall, but people are sleeping on the mall and what is the City going to <br />do with them. <br /> <br /> The meeting was adjourned. <br />