HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB EPHA EVPC Joint Study Session 2010-02-09
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, February 9, 2010
Minutes of a Joint Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD, ESTES
VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION AND ESTES PARK HOUSING
AUTHORITY of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado.
Meeting held at Town Hall in Rooms 201/202/203 in said Town of Estes
Park on the 9th day of February, 2010.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Mayor Pro Tem Levine, Trustees
Blackhurst, Eisenlauer, Ericson, Homeier, and Miller
Commission: Commissioners Fraundorf, Hull, Klink, Lane, Norris,
Poggenpohl, and Tucker
Authority: Directors Blackhurst, Dinsmoor, Heiser, Jensen, and Porter
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White, Exec. Dir. Kurelja, and
Deputy Town Clerk Deats
Absent: Director Dinsmoor
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
HOUSING NEEDS DISCUSSION.
Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) Exec. Dir. Kurelja gave a brief history of the
Housing Authority which was formed in 2000 by the Town Trustees in response to
business owner concerns about housing costs for employees. Currently, the EPHA
manages housing units at Cleave Street Apartments, Talons Pointe, Lone Tree Village,
Vista Ridge, and The Pines, and administers a Section 8 Voucher Program, and a
Down Payment Assistance Program. Exec. Dir. Kurelja said programs serving
residents in the 30% Area Median Income (AMI) category are primarily federal
programs and Section 8 rental assistance programs; those falling into the 30% to 60%
AMI category can qualify for income restricted rental properties and various financing
tools; those at 80% AMI and under can take advantage of deed restricted home
ownership programs, grant funds and low interest loans; with no public funds or
programs currently available to serve those in the 80% to 140% AMI category to assist
them with homeownership needs. She reported that, in order to sustain employers,
support job growth, and house in-commuters who would prefer to live in town, a 2008
Housing Needs Assessment estimated that 756-959 additional housing units will be
needed in the Estes Valley by the year 2015, and gave examples of tools and methods
used by other Colorado communities to address their housing needs. These include:
Inclusionary Zoning; Linkage or Impact Fees; Incentives, such as density bonuses and
fee waivers; Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU); donation of publicly owned land; sales
tax; and real estate transfer tax. Exec. Dir. Kurelja said the Housing Authority’s vision
for the future includes finding an ongoing affordable housing funding source; the ability
to meet the homeownership needs of people in the 81% to 140% AMI category; and fill
the rental housing needs of local workers in all income levels.
Discussion is summarized: due to the economic downturn, job growth has declined but
housing needs still exist; unemployment in the Estes Valley is estimated at 6.5%; 69%
of valley population are homeowners, 31% renters; land cost per unit is an impediment
to affordable housing, as is the “not in my back yard’ or NIMBY mindset; mixed use in
downtown area could provide location for workforce housing; land use tools can be
considered as additions to the development code; few local employers provide housing
for their seasonal employees; a re-design of development on property owned by the
Housing Authority is in progress; and Town-owned property on Fish Hatchery Road may
be suitable for housing units.
Town Board Study Session – February 9, 2010 – Page 2
The Commissioners and Trustees agreed that from a planning perspective inclusionary
zoning, impact fees, and Planned Unit Development (PUD) may play a part in
addressing affordable housing issues, as well as less restrictive density and height
limitations, and that the current incentive structure included in the Estes Valley
Development Code should be reviewed. They also agreed that education will play a
key role in achieving buy-in related to housing issues and its importance in creating a
balanced community that will attract and sustain young workforce families.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT.
In the fall of 2009, a professional review of the Community Development Department’s
operational practices was performed by Zucker Systems. The purpose of the
assessment was to identify areas for improvement that would result in providing better
customer service through the Community Development and Building Departments. The
review process, which consisted of gathering customer input, policy maker input, staff
input and observational activities, resulted in a comprehensive 82-page report and
identified five areas of high importance. They are: the Intergovernmental Agreement
(IGA) with Larimer County; Lack of Long-Range Planning; Timing of Reviews;
Technology; and the Planning Process. The Community Development staff is currently
working on a timeline to implement the recommendations related to these topics.
Deputy Town Administrator Richardson stated that the assessment found the
Community Development Department staff to be well-qualified; the Comprehensive Plan
and Development Code, while in need of updating, to be good documents; and that
planning and building reviews currently meet or exceed state and national standards. A
copy of the entire report can be requested through the Town Clerk’s office.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Cynthia Deats, Deputy Town Clerk