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Minutes 2002-11-18329 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL HELD November 18, 2002 The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:02 p.m. by Mayor Sondhi in the Board Room, West Wing of City Hall, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California. PRESENT: Council Members Keenan, McGill (arrived at 5:16 p.m.), Piemy, Mayor Pro Tem McCoy, Mayor Sondhi ABSENT: None Also present were City Manager, Director of Finance and Administrative Services, Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Assistant Community Development Director, Housing Coordinator, and Deputy City Clerk. The Community Development Director stated that at the September 23, 2002 workshop, staff presented the first draft of the Affordable Housing strategy for consideration. He stated that the strategy presented was prepared by the Rosenow Spevacek Group and staff. He stated the document has several sections including a demographic profile and discussion needs within the City, an examination of the housing obligations imposed on the Agency by redevelopment law, an explanation of the costs associated with the provision of affordable housing, a discussion relating the housing issues presented by the motels along Lincoln Avenue, an analysis of the Agency's existing rehabilitation and home buyer programs, and the identification of potential funding sources to finance affordable housing programs and projects. He stated the City is deficient in meeting its affordable housing obligations, in large part because there have been a number of private housing projects built in the City's project area that did not meet the inclusionary obligations of fifteen pement. The Community Development Director stated the Federal government defines the income limits to determine what is Iow and moderate income. He stated a comparison of the average price of a single family home in Cypress, which is $347,000, to the average household income in Cypress, which is $72,000 for a family of four, shows it is becoming increasingly more difficult for people of average income to buy an average home. He stated housing resources available include set-aside funds and County CDBG funds, which must be competed for with other cities and agencies. He stated six recommendations have been formulated to address affordable housing efforts in the City. The first recommendation is to adopt an inclusionary housing policy, which will ensure that privately initiated housing projects will meet inclusionary obligations. He stated part of the process is how to offset economic hardships that would be imposed on developers. The second recommendation is to revise the HELP I and HELP II programs, which currently consume the Agency's annual set aside revenues. These projects promote home ownership and preservation of housing stock but they do not meet the requirements for the Agency to get credit for either inclusionary or replacement housing. The third recommendation is to pursue affordability covenants on proposed ownership housing projects. There are two ownership housing projects being proposed within the CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 200~ 3 0 Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment Project Area, which present an excellent opportunity for the Agency to assist in providing affordable ownership and progress in reducing its inclusionary housing deficiency. The fourth recommendation is to purchase affordability covenants within existing rental housing projects with priority being given to units located within the redevelopment project areas. The purchase of covenants outside the project area would also address housing and neighborhood decline issues. The fifth recommendation is short and long-term options for Lincoln motels including conversion to permanent housing and reinstating a version of the Motel Task Force. The Community Development Director stated there are partnerships in town, with many being unknown to the City, to address affordable housing issues such as between motels and local churches. The sixth recommendation is to identify and pursue other creative affordable housing projects in the redevelopment project areas. City resources need to be matched with community needs. Mayor Pro Tern McCoy asked if specific age information could be received for the Iow and moderate income individuals in Cypress so the City could have a better understanding of who needs affordable housing. Felise Acosta, Rosenow Spevacek Group, stated the data came from the census and was not listed by specific age but staff could attempt to get information from Social Security or Social Services to see how many people are receiving assistance in the City. Council Member Piemy asked about penalties if the City does not meet the established deadlines. Ms. Acosta stated if the City is penalized, the next housing compliance plan must address that the City did not meet the goal and set forth, on an annual basis, how it will proceed to make up the deficient units. Council Member Keenan stated he has received requests from Habitat for Humanity to come into Cypress to build homes and he would like staff to meet with them. Mayor Sondhi asked that staff contact the County of Orange as a resource with affordable housing issues. Council Member Keenan left the meeting at 6:20 p.m. Council Member McGill introduced Sally Little, Southern California Presbyterian Homes, Steve St. Clair, Cypress Interfaith Council, Pastor Brian Benson, Cypress Church, and Pastor Lee, Miracle Land Korean Baptist Church. The Community Development Director stated the final draft of the Affordable Housing Strategy will be presented to the City Council in January. The meeting was recessed at 6:24 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 6:30 p.m. The City Manager stated the residential development project at Grindlay Street and Orange Avenue has previously been brought before the Council for consideration and at that time, the Council voiced some concerns. Staff has been working with the developer to try and mitigate some of these concerns. 2 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 2o 3 ]. The Assistant Community Development Director provided details of the project originally presented to Council. He stated areas of concern expressed by the Council included the size of the houses, architecture, parking, open space, and setbacks. He stated the developer has been very responsive to staff suggestions on Council concerns. The streetscape and architecture has been revised with the units being smaller. The setback from the sidewalk to the perimeter wall has been landscaped and potted materials will be placed at the entry of the project. The number of units have been reduced from nine to eight with two car garages instead of three with smaller floor plans as well. The Assistant Community Development Director stated there were concerns about onsite parking. Eleven additional parking spaces have been included in the new plans, making a total of 19 spaces. Council Member Piercy asked about the difference in street size from the original project. The Assistant Community Development Director stated the street is still 25 feet wide. Council Member Piercy stated she is still concerned about parking. Council Member McGill asked about the parking between the two housing developments. The Assistant Community Development Director stated there is currently a gate separating the developments with the current development wanting the gate to remain. He stated the gate was originally installed for security. The developer, Roy Ward, stated originally the first development was going to be allowed to use parking where the office building is. The City Manager asked if one hundred percent agreement from the first development owners would be required to give the parking easement to the second development. Mr. Ward stated the only person who would have to give the easement would be the present owner of the corner property. Mayor Sondhi stated she felt if driveway space could be identified at the homes for designated parking there would be less likelihood that residents would use the guest parking spaces. Mr. Ward stated that he retired several months ago as the president of the homeowners association for the first development. One of the first things the development has done is enforce the parking regulations in the CC&R's by requiring homeowners to park in their garages. Mayor Sondhi commended Mr. Ward for trying to create a solution that meets the Council's concerns and stated that it appears that he is getting close to something that will work. The City Manager stated the project is very open and that language and protection the Council would want could be included in the CC&R's. He stated staff will research the issues and bring them back to the City Council at a future date. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. ITEMS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Sondhi asked that permits for trash bins be agendized for the next meeting. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 200~ 3 2 ITEMS FROM CITY MANAGER: The City Manager stated he provided Council with a memo on master streets in the City and if any of the Council has questions, to please contact him, ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Sondhi adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m., to Monday, November 25, 2002, beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California. ATTEST: YOR ~THE CITY OF CYPRESS ,//~O~I~Y CLE~IK (~ 7~ CITY O-~CYPRESS 4