HAC Minutes-2009-04-2332400 PASEO ADELANTO
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA 92675
(949) 493-1171
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MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
April 23, 2008
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
SAM ALLEVATO
THOMAS W. HRIBAR
MARK NIELSEN
JOE SOTO
DR. LONDRES USO
A. CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Freese called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL- Commission Attendance
Present: Joanne Marquez, Laura Freese, Gene Ratcliffe, William
Bonney
Absent: Mary Ann Groover
Staff Present: Douglas Dumhart, Economic Development Manager
Steven A. Apple, Planning Director
William Ramsey, Principal Planner
Laura Stokes, Administrative Intern
C. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
D. MINUTES OF January 31, 2007 — The minutes of January 31, 2008 were approved
unanimously.
E. REORGANIZATION
Chairperson Freese called for nominations for Chairperson.
Member Marquez nominated member Ratcliffe for Chairperson, motion seconded by
member Bonney, and carried 0-4.
Chairperson Ratcliffe Called for nominations for Vice Chairperson.
Member Freese nominated member Marquez, motion seconded by member
Bonney, and carried 0-4.
F. OLD BUSINESS-
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April 23, 2008
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Continued Consideration of General Plan Amendment (GPA) 06-01, Rezone (RZ)
06-01, Architectural Control (AC) 05-01, Tentative Tract Map (TTM) 17250, Villa
Montana; a request for approval of planning applications to allow the development of
a 163 -unit multi -family, apartment complex on an existing 9.7 gross acre parcel
located on the north side of Vista Montana about 370 feet west of La Pata Avenue
(Applicant: Whispering Hills, LLC; Dennis Gage) (Case Manager: William Ramsey,
AICP, Principal Planner) -Mr. Ramsey gave background on project and staff
recommendation that the item be forwarded to the Planning Commission with a
recommendation of denial, based on the inadequate amount of affordable housing
proposed.
Phil Schwartze, the project expediter, Lawrence Herman, Housing Solutions
affordability aspect representative, and Dennis Gage, Whispering Hills, LLC
applicant, discussed their opposition to the staff recommendation, and asked if
project was denied, to give direction so that a supportable plan can be created.
The applicant and representatives described to the Committee, the financial difficulty
of increasing affordable units while decreasing the density of the project, and stated
that if the changes become a requirement the City may need to subsidize a portion
of the project. Mr. Herman stated that affordable housing projects require multiple
layers of financing, and a typical City can expect to subsidize $60,000-$184,000 per
unit, on top of the other funding sources. Mr. Herman presented a letter to the
Committee describing affordable housing desired within the project.
Chairperson Ratcliffe opened the floor for public input and comments.
Ms. Rosanne Kotzer, of the Kennedy Commission, addressed the Committee and
encouraged them to support developers who want to develop affordable housing,
and dissuades them from discussion of replacing low or very -low affordable housing
with moderate rate housing.
Mr. Trevor Dale, 27781 Camino La Ronda, addressed the Committee and
encouraged the staff recommendation.
Ms. Yvonne Tschaikowsky, 27367 Paseo Placentia, addressed the Committee and
encouraged the support of staff recommendation, believing that the project is
inappropriate and does not offer enough affordable housing.
James McHenry, 31082 Paseo Ranchero, addressed the Committee and
encouraged the support of staff recommendation, believing that the project not right
for the location, requires a difficult and unnecessary zoning change and would bring
crime and problems to the area.
Mr. Gage addresses Committee and City staff stating there no current land within
the City that would not require a zone change for a high density residential project.
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April 23, 2008
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Chairperson Ratcliffe called for a motion.
Member Freese motioned to go forward with staff recommendation of forwarding the
project to the Planning Commission with a recommendation of denial, motion
seconded member Bonney, carried 3-1 (Vice Chairperson Marquez opposed).
Chairperson Ratcliffe asks committee if there were any further recommendations to
address to the applicant.
Chairperson Ratcliffe stated that the location seems appropriate for affordable
housing, would like to see additional affordable family units, and would like the
project size and density to be decreased.
Vice Chairperson Marquez believes the location and architecture complement the
surroundings of the site, and would like to see an increase in affordable units for the
moderate income levels, and a decrease in market rate units.
Member Freese would like the project to create a higher amount of affordable
housing but does not insist on RHNA numbers, does not believe affordable housing
draws problems to a neighborhood, stated that the size of the project would be
better if decreased by a third, and does not believe the site is appropriate for the
proposed project.
Member Bonney sees that the community needs new housing and affordable
housing alike, but does not want to mandate the RHNA numbers. Voiced concern
over apparent electrical wires overlaying the project site and asks that if the wire
location is within the project boundary, they be moved underground.
Chairperson Ratcliffe requested assistance of staff for a motion
Mr. Ramsey offered the proposed motion that the Housing Advisory Committee
support the project site for the development of affordable housing, that the
affordability component be substantially increased, and that the general design
characteristics be substantially amended to be consistent with the General Plan
Architectural Design Guidelines.
Vice Chairperson Marquez so moved the motion, motion seconded by Member
Bonney, carried 4-0.
Chairperson Ratcliffe called for a five minute break at 8:12pm April 23, 2008.
Chairperson Ratcliffe called meeting back to order at 8:19pm April 23, 2008.
G. NEW BUSINESS -
1. Housing Program Status Report (Case Manager: Douglas Dumhart, Economic
Development Manager) - Mr. Dumhart gave an oral report on the status of the
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April 23, 2008
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various housing programs and projects as identified in the staff report. Making note
the City's desire to improve the quality of affordable units offered in the Little
Hollywood Expansion, and Habitat for Humanity's recent request for additional
subsidy.
Member Freese motioned to receive and file the report, motion seconded by Vice
Chairperson Marquez, carried 4-0.
2. Consideration of Draft 2008 Housing Element Update (Case Manager: Steven
Apple, Planning Director) — Mr. Apple provided a summary of the changes recently
made to the City's Housing Element and requested the committees comments to
take back to the City's consultant.
Member Freese requested that the first paragraph on page 20 be rephrased to
soften the tone, would like the site 2.2 acre City owned site adjacent to Silverado
Assisted Living suites be added to the chapter of Housing Resource Analysis page
91, with a possible note of potential partnership with Homestead Friends Foundation
for the site.
Member Marquez noted that many referenced data is not as current as desired.
Chairperson Ratcliffe appreciates that this draft is less demanding to read, and
would like to see more currently referenced data.
Ms. Rosanne Kotzer, of the Kennedy Commission, addressed the Committee with
concerns about listed affordability sites being viable for use, and will be addressing a
letter to the committee with a more detailed analysis of the Housing Element's
suggested sites.
Trevor Dale, addressed the Committee with information regarding Capistrano
Terrace Mobile Estates, and the desire of the residents to purchase the park with the
assistance of a Resident Owned Park nonprofit group.
Chairperson Ratcliffe called for a motion.
Member Freese motioned to forward Housing Element Draft to the Planning
Commission with Housing Advisory Committee's considerations, motion seconded
by Vice Chairperson Marquez, carrier 4-0.
H. COMMITTEE/STAFF COMMENTS — Chairperson Ratcliffe Questioned Staff on the
new state legislation regarding rent control.
Staff stated that Proposition 98 and 99 will be on the June primary ballot. Both
regard eminent domain. Proposition 98 would eliminate rent control on a unit by unit
Housing Advisory Committee Minutes
April 23, 2008
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basis, thus the units with rent restrictions would not loose the limitations until the
units are vacated.
I. ADJOURNMENT — The Housing Advisory Committee adjourned the meeting at
9:00 p.m. to July 23, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
Approved my 23, 2008
L ura Stokes, Secretary