Multi-Family Development Task Force Minutes

October 9, 2006

Task Force Members Present: Linda Walker, Gene Walker, Bart Hutcheson, Ron Weis, Matt Bailey, Greg Dorshorst, Kevin Roods, Steve Reith, Tom Tappmeyer, Sean P. Coatney, Teresa Emerson, King Coltrin, Glen Larson, Brent Stevens, Kevin L. Bollinger, M. Shepard, Matt Morrow, Jeff Childs, Geoff Butler, Paul Kemm, George Christman, Barbara Beyer, Randall Howes, James Semple, Brent Haselhorst, Tom Whitson, Jack Hunter, Steven M. Bowen, Jack Pugh, Leta Howard, Bob Hunt, Kerry Norman, Joe Cox, Samuel E. Lowell, Mark Tendai, Renee Boyce, Robert L. Jones, Maureen Davis, Jim Hansen, Jessica Harris, Steve Staley, Larry Freeman, David L. Warthen, Cameron T. Eoff, Gary Wilson, Barbara Kemm, Gordon Elliott, Patrick Watkins, Bob Torp, one name illegible

Staff Present: Ralph Rognstad, Jr., Ann Razer, Bob Hosmer, Alana Owen, David Hutchison

Observers Present: Wendy Wei, J.C. (last name illegible), Mike Breeding

Anyone attending and not listed should notify staff.

The meeting began with staff introductions: Ann Razer (facilitator), Bob Hosmer (technical expert for the meetings), and Alana Owen (Zoning and Subdivision Division). The Agenda was approved. Attendees introduced themselves and shared their desired outcomes for the task force. Staff will summarize desired outcomes for discussion at the next meeting. Task Force Ground Rules were reviewed.

A short presentation was made giving the background and charge of the task force. This task force was initiated by City Council at their September 5, 2006 meeting. The task force is to focus on development in the following zoning categories: R-LD, R-MD, R-HD. The task force members are specifically charged to:
· Make recommendations to improve the process and requirements for reviewing and approving multi-family development proposals
· Place emphasis on: (1) how appropriate development densities are determined and (2) making the development process more objective

It was explained that task force recommendations will be made by consensus (general agreement of those present). If the task force fails to reach a consensus, a sub-committee may be formed. The sub-committee (selected by the task force members) would meet independently outside of the meetings and make a recommendation at the following meeting. If that fails, task force recommendations will be determined by a 75% vote of members present.

Recent growth trends were reviewed. It was pointed out that the Vision 20/20 Comprehensive Plan (adopted by City Council) supports a compact development pattern and discourages urban sprawl. The adopted plan also supports mixed use development and a mix of housing types within the city. The plan states that multi-family uses are best located in activity centers, on major roads, and near downtown. Design guidelines are encouraged by the plan. Staff reviewed benefits and concerns surrounding multi-family housing.

A brief introduction to the Charlotte, North Carolina matrix for evaluating multi-family development applications was made. A detailed presentation on the Charlotte matrix will be made at the next (second) meeting. City Council has expressed interest in the Charlotte matrix, specifically how the matrix makes the process more consistent.

Alana Owen, Senior Planner, made a presentation explaining the existing process that Planning and Development staff uses for reviewing multi-family development applications.

After the break task force members began a discussion of their concerns relating to multi-family housing. Concerns included the following:
· Impact of multi-family housing on nearby single-family homes
· Process needs to be more consistent (stated several times)
· Need to protect existing single-family homes (stated several times)
· Lack of understanding of the existing process
· Traffic impacts of multi-family development (mentioned several times)
· Impacts of Planned Developments (less predictable than straight zoning)
· Quality of multi-family developments
· Importance of increasing density to avoid urban sprawl
· Property owner and developer interests
· Minimize case-by-case zoning
· Need to know more about future plans
· Impact on the environment
· Need to balance growth
· Plan locations for future multi-family developments
· Tenant concerns need to be considered
· Process needs to be less adversarial
· Affordable housing needs to be provided in the community
· Existing process is good - it's not broken so don't "fix" it
· Some people prefer to rent apartments
· Address market concerns
· Crime
· Impact fees, costs of new development passed on to the community
· Design issues

During the next five meetings, the task force will make recommendations relating to the charge from City Council.

In response to task force member questions, Ann Razer will be available before the October 23 meeting (from 5:00 to 6:00) to answer questions about long range planning. Alana Owen will be available during the next meeting to answer additional questions about the existing process.

An agenda was agreed for the next meeting - Monday, October 23, 2006, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the Chesterfield Community Center Community Room.

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