HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2013-08-27
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
TOWN BOARD 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
STUDY SESSION Town Hall Rooms 202/203
Dinner Available Prior to Meeting for Board and Staff.
OFFICIAL MEETING
5:00 p.m. Trustee Comments & Questions.
5:05 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items.
(Board Discussion)
5:15 p.m. Affordable Housing Needs & Possible Code Amendments.
(Estes Park Housing Authority Director Kurelja)
5:45 p.m. Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan Modernization Update.
(Director Chilcott)
6:20 p.m. Staff Support to the Board.
(Town Clerk Williamson)
6:30 p.m. Meeting Adjourn.
AGENDA
To: Honorable Mayor Pinkham
Board of Trustees
Town Administrator Lancaster
From: Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk
Date: August 27, 2013
RE: Future Town Board Study Session Items
September 10, 2013
Infrastructure and Capital
Improvements Financing Discussion
Review of Capital Investment Plan
Future Items
Town’s Role in Events
Neighborhood Subdivision Issues
Review of Town Property Inventory
Sign Code Revisions
Community Survey
Capital Plan for 2014
Presentation on Demographic and
Economic Data in Comprehensive
Plan Modernization
Acceptance of Art, Gifts, Naming of
Parks, etc.
Strategic Planning Issues and Plans
Senior Center/Museum Master Plan
Revise Stanley Historic District
Agreement
Town Clerk’s Office Memo
ESTES PARK HOUSING
AUTHORITY
PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT CODE
CHANGE
Town Board
August 27, 2013
Current Code Provisions
Section 11.4 C of the Estes Valley Development Code
Attainable Housing Density Bonus
Current code allows for up to a 50% increased density if attainable
housing is incorporated into the development
“Attainable” Defined
Renter Occupied: Housing units that are
attainable to households earning sixty percent (60%)
of the Larimer County Area Median Income or below
Owner Occupied: Housing units that are attainable
to households earning eighty percent (80%) of the
Area Median Income
Attainable Units
Rentals: Housing Costs (Rent & Utilities) should not
exceed 30% of Household income
Homeowners: Housing Costs (Rent & Utilities)
should not exceed 40% of Household income
We are NOT asking to change this
What are we Proposing to Change
Change in the definition of
‘Attainable’ to include income limits in
both Rental and Homeownership to be
one hundred twenty five (125%) of the
Larimer County Area Median Income
or below adjusted for household size ’
Area Median Income
Household size
Income
Levels-AMI 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person
RENTAL
PROPERTIES
Current 60% $31,860 $36,420 $40,980 $45,480
80% $42,500 $48,550 $54,600 $60,650
100% $53,100 $60,700 $68,300 $75,800
Proposed 125% $66,375 $75,875 $85,375 $94,750
HOME
OWNERSHIP
Current 80% $42,500 $48,550 $54,600 $60,650
100% $53,100 $60,700 $68,300 $75,800
Proposed 125% $66,375 $75,875 $85,375 $94,750
Current
Proposed
How things have changed
1981 2012 % Change
Avg Cost Single
Family home $73,364 $352,843 380%
Car Payment $100 month $375 month 275%
Student Loan $65 month $250 month 285%
Mortgage Payment $707 month $1843 month 160%
Household Income $20,001 year $68,704 year 243%
Sales Prices to Income
$274,500
$317,500
$352,843
$200,000
$284,000 $272,647
$51,800 $55,400 $62,200
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
2003 2007 2012
29% Change Single Family Sales
36% Change Condo Sales
20% Change AMI (2 person
HH)
Hypothetical Household
2 Wage Earner family:
1. Police Officer 1 earning $52,000 per year
2. Spouse works for the School District: Para
professional earns $23,000
3. A combined household income of $75,000
Hypothetical Household
Household Income $75,000
Debt:
1 Car Payment: $ 350.00
Student Loan: $ 250.00
Misc. Credit Cards $ 100.00
Hypothetical Household
HH income: $75,000
Monthly Debt: $700.00
Using these numbers this household could afford a
home costing between $285,000 and $305,000
This assumes a down payment of $35,284.
What is the Problem?
Rise in Home prices has created and will continue
to create an affordability gap
Housing
Value of Owner-Occupied Units (Estes Park) 2000 2011 % Change
Less than $50,000 -- 2.2% null
$50,000 to $99,999 3.1% 0.0% -100.0%
$100,000 to $149,999 10.0% 2.9% -71.0%
$150,000 to $199,999 25.2% 7.7% -69.4%
$200,000 to $299,999 40.1% 26.1% -34.9%
$300,000 to $499,999 19.2% 38.4% 100.0%
$500,000 to $999,999 2.2% 21.4% 872.7%
$1,000,000 or more -- 1.3% null
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey
What is the Problem?
Lack of Housing options that are affordable to
Moderate Income households
Both Rentals and Homeownership Units
We get daily, multiple inquiries from people who are
a. Looking for places to rent and
b. Are over income
What is the Problem?
Increase in # of Vacation Rentals has created a lack of
long term rentals
VRBO currently has 353 Vacation Rentals in Estes Park
Between 2000 and 2010 there has been an 11% decrease
in the number of Occupied Housing Units*
Vacancy rates on long term rentals are at historically low
levels
* U.S. Census Bureau, 2007-2011 American Community Survey
Our Own Estes Park Police Force
Out of 19 sworn officers, 12 live out of Town in
Valley communities or 63%
Excellent candidates for Police positions have been
lost due to high cost housing
Effects of commuting
Nationally
People who commute more than 1 hour per day to
work are most likely to leave their employment
after 1 year or less.
Spend more on transportation costs
For every dollar saved on housing by
commuting, 77 cents is spent on
transportation costs.
People who commute 1 or more hours per day
spend between $4000-$7500 in commuting costs
16
Interviews
I love my job, I don’t like commuting
What is stopping you from living in Estes?
: Cost of Housing
Cost of commuting: between $ 4000-$6500 per
year
Lack of connection with the community
Less time with family
Dangerous
They question ‘How much is my time worth’?
Can’t vote here
No cell service in canyons
Would have to live in a condo to live in Estes
Would have to spend over $400,000 for a home vs.
$275,000 in valley communities
Miss children’s events
Rely on spouses to ‘pick up the slack’
All said they would not be doing this if not for the
support of their supervisors
The Story
Young adult, works for the Town, loves his/her job
Commutes 2 + hours per day
Feel a disconnect with the community
Dangerous driving the canyons
Wishes they could spend more time with their family
Often have to miss ‘events’
A lot more pressure on spouse
The Story
Young married adult, one child
Doesn’t want to know how much they spend
commuting
Spends $1200-$1500 per year on tires
Would live here if they could afford it
Feels a disconnect with the community in which they
live
The Story
Has been commuting for 1 year
Cannot afford housing in Estes Park
Equitable rent in Estes Park would be $1500 per month
Would absolutely live here if they could afford it
Dangerous to drive canyon
Does all shopping, socializing in Valley
Young Families
Between 2000 and 2010 the number of Estes Park
residents over the age of 65 increased by 32%
The median age is 51.1
The 51-64 age group makes up 31% of the Estes
Valley population
Median Age
Estes Park: 51.5 Years
Breckenridge 32.5
Glenwood Springs 34.7
Frisco 39.8
Salida 40.4
Montrose 39
Colorado 36.1
Tuscon AZ 37
Miami FL 37.28
Scottsdale AZ 45.4
Problems/Issues
Retention of young families
Offer more housing options
Short supply of housing for the $60,000-$85,000
income level
Of the 212 single family homes for sale in
Estes Park, 20 of them are between $275,000
and $325,000
In 2012 out of the 251 Single Family homes
sold, 37 were between $275,000 and $325,000
Young Families: Why they are important
Diversity in our community
Employment Base
Economic Development
Vibrant School system
Increased sales tax revenues
Problems/Issues/Solutions
A Proactive approach
As property values increase, the ‘affordability gap’
does also
Enforcement: The EPHA has successful experience in Deed
Restrictions both in the development and enforcement
Vista Ridge: Originally sold 30 Deed Restricted units
9 have resold
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Chapter 6, Section 5.0
5.1 Encourage a variety of housing types and price
ranges
5.2 Encourage housing for permanent residents of all
sectors of the community that is integrated into
and dispersed throughout existing neighborhoods
5.3 Establish a balanced program of incentives, and
public and private actions, to provide affordable
housing
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan
Chapter 6, Section 5.0
5.7 Identify affordable housing opportunities on
an ongoing basis
5.8 Regularly evaluate regulations and eliminate
unnecessary requirements
5.9 Support the creation of public and private
funding sources for affordable housing
Effect on the Community
Town resources pay the Salary of police officer ‘Bob’
At the end of his shift, ‘Bob’ drives to Longmont
where he
* Buys his groceries
* Buys his gasoline
* Pays his taxes
* Gets his car repaired
* Purchases ‘services’
* Volunteers his time
The Problem
Will this code change fix this whole problem?
Absolutely Not
Is it a start?
It absolutely is!
Estes Valley Comprehensive Plan ModernizationTonight’s Objective:1. Update the Town Board on the status of staff and the PlanningCommission’s work to modernize the Comprehensive Plan; and,2. Obtain big picture feedback from Trustees on the work completed.Overview:Background: How did we get here?Present SituationLevel of Public InterestNext Steps: Where are we going?Is there anything else about the modernization I should address?
Background: How did we get here?At a joint study session in November 2012, the Town Board and Planning Commission unanimously supported modernizing the plan. Six options were considered ranging from no update in 2013 to a full update.Trustees and Commissioners selected Option 2.Option 2Review and update facts, remove obsolete references, remove information that is no longer relevant.Options that involved revising/validating the vision or policies were not selected. No policies are changing.
Present SituationStaff and Planning Commission are implementing Option 2.Planning Commission reviews and comments on drafts monthly.Staff give monthly updates to the Community Development/ Community Services Committee and the Larimer County Commission. The goal is to complete the update by the end of 2013.The modernized plan will better articulate the Valley’s vision and policies by:Using clear and concise language.Incorporating pictures to illustrate key issues and policies.Containing current data/information.The modernized plan will be designed for ease of access via the internet. www.estes.org/ComprehensivePlan
Level of Public InterestTo date, the level of public interest has been low.To stay informed and provide input, the public can:Review drafts of the modernized plan at www.estes.org/ComprehensivePlan.Attend and comment at the Estes Valley Planning Commission meetings (3rdTuesday of the month at 1:30).Watch Planning Commission meetings and read minutes online.Meet with Community Development staff to discuss any questions or concerns.In August, Public Information Officer Rusch published a press release encouraging public input.
Next Steps: Where are we going?Staff’s goal is to have a final draft of the entire plan for Planning Commission review in November, with adoption in December. Staff can schedule a work session with the Town Board, County Commission and Planning Commission for joint review of the final draft.The final step will be for Planning Commission to forward the adopted plan to the Town Board and County Commission for certification. Questions?