CRA 99-11-01 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING
OF THE CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
HELD
November 1, 1999
An adjourned meeting of the Cypress Redevelopment Agency was called to order
by Agency Chairperson Keenan on Monday, November 1, 1999, at 5:30 p.m., in the
Executive Board Room, west Wing of Cib/Hall, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California.
PRESENT: Agency Members McGill, Sondhi, Vice Chairperson Piercy,
Chairperson Keenan
AlSO present were Interim City Manager Storey, Community Development Director
Angus, HOUSing Coordinator Steve Clark, and Karen Warner and Debbie Lawrence of
Cotton-Beland Associates.
WORKSHOP SESSION:
Community Development Director Alice AnguS, assisted by Housing Coordinator,
Steve Clark, made a presentation to the City Council regarding a review of the City's
Redevelopment Implementation Plan Update.
COUNCILMEMBER MCCOY ARRIVED AT 5:35 P.M.
AS background, Mrs. AngUS advised that in accordance with the California
Redevelopment Law §33490, the City Of Cypress Redevelopmerit Agency had, in 1994,
adopted an Implementation Plan containing specific goals and objectives for the
AgencV's project areas between the years of 1995-1999. A new five-year Implementation
Plan is currently being developed, which will examine the progress made with the
previous plan, and which will refine specific goals and objectives for the approaching
Implementation Plan cycle.
The new Plan, which will cover the period from 2000-2004, must be adopted bV
December 31, 1999. The workshop was scheduled to provide an overview of the Plan, and
to seek the City Council's input regarding proposed goals, programs and objectives
identified in the plan. Following receipt of this input, the Plan will be finalized and
submitted for final approval at the City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting
scheduled for November 22, 1999.
State redevelopment law requires that the following information be included in
each five-year Implementation Plan:
(1) Identification of specific goals and objectives of the Redevelopment Agency
for each project area;
(2) Delineation of specific programs, including potential projects and
estimated expenditures, proposed for the five-year period;
(3) Define how each goal, objective, program (including potential projects) and
estimated expenditure will eliminate blight from each project area;
(4) Explain how the goals, objectives, programs (including potential projects)
and estimated expenditures will implement the Agency's housing obligations pursuant to
Community Redevelopment Law;
(5) Part of the Implementation Plan must address Agency housing
responsibilities, and must contain a section addressing the following issues:
a. The Agency's obligation to use twenty percent (20%) of tax
increment to increase, improve, and preserve the community's supply of low- and
moderate-income housing;
b. The requirement that assistance be ~argeted in at least the same
proportion as the total number of housing units needed for very low and low income
groups;
c. The requirement that low and moderate income housing set aside is
applicable to plans and amendments adopted prior to January 1, 1996;
d. If applicable, a section addressing agency-developed and project
area housing and/or replacement housing requirements.
CITY OF CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY NOVEMBER 1, 1999
(6) The section addressing the Low and Moderate Income Fund must contain
the following:
a. The amount available in the LOw and Moderate Income HOUSing Fund
and the estimated amounts that will be deposited in the FUnd during each of the ensuing
five (5) years;
b. A housing program with estimates of the number of new,
rehabilitated or price-restricted units to be assisted during each of the five (5) years, and
estimates of the expenditures of monies from the LOW and Moderate Income Housing
FUnd during each of the approaching five (5) years.
Mrs. Angus advised that the goals and objectives identified in the original
Implementation Plan adopted in November, 1994, and the revisions, if any, were as
follows:
Amended Civic Center Redevelopment Project Area:
1. GOal: Facilitate a Higher Utilization of Property with the Project Area.
Objective: Complete the Walker/Orange land assemblage and clearance of
properties and initiate master planning of this area and implement the results of the plan.
Proposed Revision:
GOal: NO change.
Objective: Complete master planning for Wicker Drive property; implement
development of the Master Plan.
2. Goal: Promote Affordable Housing.
Objective:
Senior Project.
Coordinate the development and occupancy of the Cypress Park
Proposed Revision:
Goal: NO change.
Objective:
in the Project Area.
3. Goal:
Objective:
Area.
Include affordability covenants on a percentage of units developed
Improve Public Safety in the Project Area.
ASSiSt in the improvement of public infrastructure within the Project
Proposed Revision:
Goal: NO change.
objective: NO change.
LOS Alamitos Golf Course and Race Track Redevelopmerit Project Area
1. Goal: Pursue Major Economic Development Projects.
Objective:
a. Stimulate new commercial expansion employment and economic
growth with the Project Area;
b. ASSist in the development of commercial and related construction by
financing such development in the Project Area in a way which will make the
development economically feasible.
Proposed Revision:
Goal: NO change.
Objective: NO change.
CITY OF CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY NOVEMBER I, 1999
2. Goal: Promote Affordable Housing.
ObjeCtive: Implement the affordable housing projects and programs outlined in
this Implementation Plan in order to enhance and increase the stock of quality affordable
housing.
Proposed Revision:
Goal: No change.
Objective: Implement existing and proposed affordable housing projects and
programs as outlined in the Implementation Plan.
3. GOal: Improve Public Safety in the Project Area.
Objective:
Area.
ASSiSt in the improvement of public infrastructure Within the Project
Proposed Revisions:
Goal: NO change.
Objective: NO change.
Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment Proiect Area
1. Goal: Complete Comprehensive Plan of Redevelopment.
Objective: Adopt the Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan to provide the authority to
impose land use and development controls to facilitate a higher and better utilization of
the lands within the Project Area thereby contributing to the public health, safety and
welfare.
Proposed Revisions:
Goal: Implement Completed Comprehensive Plan of Redevelopment.
Objective: (a) Impose the land use regulations and controls adopted in
conjunction with the Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan to facilitate a higher and better
utilization of lands within the Project Area, thereby contributing to the public health,
safety and welfare.
(b) Adopt a comprehensive sign program to further promote the
aesthetic beautification of the Lincoln Avenue corridor.
2. Goal: Strengthen the Economic Base of the Project Area and the Community.
Objective: Stimulate new commercial expansion, employment, and economic
growth within the Project Area by: a) developing, implementing, and promoting a
Business Assistance Program; b) assisting in the financing, reconstruction, and/or
construction of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streets, flood control improvements, and other
public facilities; and c) complete and implement hotel/motel study.
Proposed Revisions:
Goal: NO change.
Objective: Stimulate new commercial expansion, employment, and economic
growth within the Project Area by a) implementation and promotion of the Business
Assistance Program; b) maintenance of public improvements and facilities; c)
implementation of the hotel/motel ordinance and d) development and implementation
of the Commercial Property Improvement Assistance Program which targets facade,
signage and landscape improvements
3. Goal: Stimulate Construction Activity and Increase Employment in the
Commercial Sector of the Community.
Objective: AssiSt in the development of commercial and related construction by
financing such development in the Project Area in a way which will make the
development economically feasible.
CITY OF CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY NOVEMBER 1, 1999
Proposed Revisions:
Goal: NO change.
Objective: No change.
4. Goal: Promote Affordable Housing.
Objective: Implement the affordable housing projects and programs outlined in
this Implementation Plan in order to enhance and increase the stock of quality affordable
housing.
Proposed Revisions:
Goal: NO change.
objective: NO change.
MrS. AngUS advised that blight alleviation programs and potential projects within
each Project Area have been listed in the original Implementation Plan and will also be
included in the updated Plan. These include Business Assistance Programs, Capital
Improvement Programs, Comprehensive Planning Programs, Economic Enhancement
Programs and Affordable HOUSing Programs.
The Community Development Director explained that a critical component of the
Implementation Plan required that the Agency implement a housing strategy targeting
an increase and improvement in low- and moderate-income housing for the community.
AS they are still relevant, the Plan's existing goals will be incorporated into the new Plan.
several existing and potential programs may be incorporated into the new plan. These
include I. Multi-Family Residential Programs, including (1) a Rental DepOSit Guarantee
Program (proposed); (2) Community Rental Rehabilitation Program (proposed); and (3)
Mixed Use Housing Development Program (proposed); II. Single Family Residential
Programs, including (1) Home Enhancement Loan Program (existing With modifications);
(2) Home Equity Loan Program (existing); and (3) Neighborhood Clean-up Program
(proposed).
Other projects/programs which may be considered for inclusion in the plan are: (1)
a Lincoln Avenue Senior complex, comprised of affordable housing; (2) Development of a
"high-end" luxury apartment complex, with affordability covenants attached to a
percentage of the total units; and (3) conversion of an existing motel on Lincoln Avenue
to a long-term housing development with affordability covenants attached to a large
percentage of the units.
Mrs. Angus summarized by stating that staff's recommendation was that the
Agency Board provide staff with direction regarding proposed refinements to the goals,
objectives and programs for the proposed Implementation Plan update.
FollOwing MrS. Angus' and Mr. Clarke's presentation, Agency Boardmembers had
several questions and comments relating to these programs. The following outlines some
of the salient points discussed by Agency Boardmembers:
Multi-Family Residential Programs
1. Rental DepOSit Guarantee Program:
Agency Boardmembers desire to have this program focus on assistance to those
currently residing in the local area motels, and wish to incorporate a financial and "life
skills" training component to the program.
2. Community Rental Rehabilitation Program:
AgencV I~oardmemberS suggested that any comprehensive rehabilitation of a large
rental ProPertV should be undertaken in conjunction with other public agencies; e.g.,
Orange County Housing Authority, HUD, the State of California, etc., and the property
owner's participation to facilitate leveraging of any committed Agency funds.
Sin.qle-Family Residential Programs
3. Home Enhancement Loan Program:
Agency BoardmemberS suggested the assessment of a nominal advance fee
charged to applicants to promote commitment to the program and decrease the high
attrition rate currently being experienced.
4
CITY OF CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY NOVEMBER 1, 1999
4. Home Equity Loan Program:
Agency Boardmembers suggested that this program be opened to those who
currently own mobile homes. It was also suggested that funds targeted for the rehab
program(s) be made available for this program if it appears that the rehab funds will not
be expended once a yet-to-be-determined trigger date has been reached.
5. Neighborhood Clean-Up Program:
This proposed program was enthusiastically received and it was suggested that
minor exterior rehabilitation (painting, roof repair, etc.) be included in conjunction with
the clean-up effort.
The fOllOwing comments were received in regard to specified projects:
Lincoln Avenue Senior Complex Proiect:
Agency Boardmembers noted the need to determine whether demand exists for
senior housing in the area.
Luxury Apartment Development Project:
This proposed project was favorably received.
Lincoln Avenue Motel Conversion Project:
Interest was expressed in utilizing the Rental Deposit Guarantee Program in
conjunction with this motel conversion proposal.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS:
There were no matters to consider.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Bill Cummings, a local realtor, was present. Mr. Cummings made the observation
that in his experience, he found development efforts in built-out communities such as
Cypress tend to be extremely difficult.
ADJOURNMENT:
AS there was no further business~_..~..~c nsider, Agency Chairperson Keenan
adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. ~--~ ~
AGENCY CHAIRPERSON OF THE
CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
A]'FEST:
CYPRESS REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY