I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 P.M.
II. ROLL CALL
Sherman, Elliott, Crawford, Lucas, and Leighton were present. Tuck and Tlou arrived after the start of the meeting. Hanratty, Handy, Vogel and Ross represented staff.
III. AGENDA ADOPTION
Sherman moved adoption of the agenda as presented. Leighton seconded. The motion passed (5-0).
IV. APPROVAL OF MAY 1, 2008 MINUTES
Sherman moved approval of the May 1, 2008 minutes. Crawford seconded. The motion passed (5-0).
V. PUBLIC ADDRESS
None.
VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Ms. Elliott turned the agenda over to Mr. Hanratty.
A. Rehabilitation Status
i. 402 Progress St.
The pre-bid was completed yesterday. The bid opening will be held on June 18th and the final for approval will come before the board in July.
ii. 207 Wilson Ave.
The pre-bid was completed yesterday. The bid opening will be held on June 18th and the final for approval will come before the board in July.
iii. 802 Progress St.
An application has been received for rehabilitation and staff is conducting the proper income verifications at this time.
B. Habitat for Humanity
The Town is in the process of finalizing the documents for this project. Staff will be meeting with the Town’s attorney later today for review.
C. Potential Harding Avenue Development and Funding Options
Staff went to the Town Council work session last week and presented on the boundary adjustment and development. Staff will be going to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s meeting next week to do a similar presentation. Community Housing Partners is hosting a meeting for Blacksburg citizens tonight to give information about the project. Sherman stated that the biggest issues he is hearing about are traffic, school capacity, and neighborhood impact. Staff has met with the principal of Harding Avenue Elementary and the school does have capacity. A traffic study has also been completed and Harding Avenue road does have capacity. The Board felt it was important to emphasize that the rental is not student rental. Also, the need to show that CHP does continual upkeep and maintenance on the properties is important as is to show that CHP does extensive background checks and credit checks for new rental residents. Emphasizing that the project is a Montgomery County, Town of Blacksburg, and Community Housing Partnership Corporation is vital. Staff notified the Board of the funding options, including having future discussions on a Section 108 loan and fee waivers.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Commercial Rehabilitation Program Guidelines
Draft guidelines were distributed to Board members. The Board approved forming a hard cap on the dollar amount loaned so any change orders will be paid for by the building owner. The Board also approved not imposing specific design standards other than that the design can be unique to the building but must fit in with those buildings surrounding it. Restrictions on use were discussed and it was decided that the only restriction would be that any organization that does not have a business license will be ineligible for acceptance into the program. The focus of the program should be on the condition of the façade and not the use of the building. Program income is to be put back into the general CDBG fund and can be used for any project. Interior renovations will count as match towards the façade loan. The Board approved a 4 (four) month application period. Staff will make the revisions suggested and will include a final version of the guidelines in the July agenda packet. The July meeting will see the Board making a recommendation to Town Council to approve the guidelines.
VIII. OTHER BUSINESS
Councilman Al Leighton will be leaving the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board and will be replaced by Councilwoman Susan Anderson. This is Al’s last meeting. Sherman moved and Crawford seconded the following: “The members and staff of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board would like to officially thank Councilman Leighton for his years of dedicated service and his time and effort expended on behalf of the citizens of Blacksburg and in furthering the goal of affordable housing.” The motion passed (7-0).
The July meeting will be held on its regular day, Thursday July 3rd.
Crawford shared an article that was in today’s Roanoke Times about the Harding Avenue project.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:37 PM.
The next Housing and Community Development Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 12:00 PM in the Town Council Conference Room.
