SYNOPSIS

Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission

May 16, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROLL CALL

 

The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chair Shah.

 

PRESENT:    Burns, Burruss, Chan, Fowler, Gore, Hoag, Piatkowski, Shah, Stivers, (One Vacancy).

 

ABSENT:       Coriano

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA   

 

Items 3 and 4 were moved to the business calendar.

 

1.                APPROVAL OF ACTION SUMMARY SYNOPSIS

 

The action summary for May 2, 2007 was approved as submitted.

 

2.                                    Citizens Comments

 

No Citizen Comments

 

CONSENT

 

5.         Acquisition of Opportunity Site near the Swanston Light Rail Station

 

The Commission voted to recommend approval of the staff recommendation for the consent calendar item listed above. The votes were as follows:

 

            AYES:             Burns, Burruss, Chan, Fowler, Gore, Hoag, Piatkowski, Shah.

                                               

            NOES:            None.

                                              

            ABSENT:       Coriano.

           

            Not present to vote: Stivers.

 

BUSINESS

 

3.         La Valentina Development Site Exclusive Right to Negotiate

 

            Commissioner Shah asked about the selection process for the La Valentina ERN.    Greg Ptucha reviewed the process and indicated that Domus Development was      selected for the site. The commissioner on the selection panel was Roy Fowler. 

The Commission voted to recommend approval of the staff recommendation for the La Valentina Development Site Exclusive Right to Negotiate.  The votes were as follows:

 

            AYES:             Burns, Burruss, Chan, Fowler, Gore, Hoag, Piatkowski, Shah, Stivers.

                                               

            NOES:            None.

                                              

            ABSENT:       Coriano.

 

4.         Acquisition of 3012, 3020 and 3030 Redding Avenue Project

           

            Chair Shah asked about the community process for this item.  Celia Yniguez from the             Community Development division indicated that the Army Depot RAC voted to          approve the project. One member voted no, but the overall motion carried and the item was approved. 

 

Commissioner Stivers asked how this project fits in with the overall infrastructure needs assessment for the area.  He questioned whether this acquisition is a higher priority than transportation or circulation improvements.  Celia said the project will add to “quality of life” in the area and that the area is “park deficient” per the City standard.

 

Commissioner Burruss was concerned about the park location next to a school and whether this will encourage kids to “hang-out” in the park.  Celia responded that acquisition of this parcel will allow police to see into the park from Redding Avenue.

 

Gary Beskeen, a single family home resident near the project, expressed concerns about his property value and about the length of time that the construction will take.

 

Commissioner Stivers asked about the timing and financing for the construction. Chris Pahule indicated that the financing is still being worked out and that they would report back to the Commission in three to four months.

 

Commissioner Burruss asked about the genesis of the idea for this park. Chris indicated that this is part of the 65th Street master plan which identified a need for a joint use detention basin/park in this area.

 

Sandra Samaniego, a resident near the project, expressed concern about the length of time that the project would take, the possible displacement of long term residents in the area, and the park’s proximity to the Verge Apartments and Hiram Johnson High School.

 

Commissioner Shah requested that, in the future, if there are dissenting votes at a RAC meeting that these items not be placed on consent.

 

           

            Jennifer Dawe with Holloway, Rasmusson and Molodonof  - attorneys representing  the current property owner - indicated that the original intention was that the property        be developed as condominiums. After discussions with the Councilmember and city      staff, it became clear that a park/detention basin was desired in this area.

 

            Commissioner Burns and Commissioner Fowler both expressed an interest in having          additional information brought to the Commission about this project, including the           timeline, funding options, and additional information about the concerns raised by        citizens at the meeting.

 

            Commissioner Burruss requested that the police sector captain be consulted regarding       increasing patrols in the area and that staff report back on this issue.

 

            The Commission voted to continue this item until the June 6th SHRC meeting so that            SHRA staff could address their concerns of the police plan for safety of the residents            in the area and dates and plans for future development.  The votes were as follows:

           

            AYES:             Burns, Burruss, Chan, Fowler, Gore, Hoag, Piatkowski, Shah, Stivers.

                                               

            NOES:            None.

                                              

            ABSENT:       Coriano.

 

Public Hearing

 

6.         Status of Redevelopment Plans and Five-Year Implementation Plans for Nine            Redevelopment Project Areas – City Report

 

7.         Status of Redevelopment Plans and Five-Year Implementation Plans for Six   Redevelopment Project Areas – County Report

 

            Lisa Bates, Director of Community Development, introduced a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Five Year Implementation Plan updates for the City and County redevelopment areas.  Greg Wessell, Assistant Director of Community Development, reviewed the accomplishments in the County and Chris Pahule, Assistant Director of Community Development, reviewed accomplishments in the City. Leslie Fritzsche from City Economic Development presented the last section which focused on a high level view of downtown projects which included housing, commercial, cultural, streetscape and active development proposals. She also introduced Rachel Hazelwood from City Economic Development who spoke about how Richards Boulevard will benefit from the redevelopment of downtown.

 

            Chair Shah expressed the need for housing to complete a vibrant downtown.

 

A motion was made to close the public hearing and to recommend approval of the staff recommendation on the status of Redevelopment Plans and Five-Year Implementation Plans for nine redevelopment project areas in the City and six redevelopment project areas in the County.  The votes were as follows:

 

            AYES:             Burns, Burruss, Chan, Fowler, Gore, Hoag, Piatkowski, Shah, Stivers.

                                               

            NOES:            None.

                                              

            ABSENT:       Coriano

 

Downtown Housing Strategy Workshop

 

8.         Lisa Bates, Director of Community Development, presented a PowerPoint presentation which reviewed the current downtown housing market, the Agency’s past investment to support housing development, and the proposed future strategies for continued investment to support a successful downtown.

 

Commissioner Burruss thanked SHRA staff for the nice presentations and asked about services for youth in downtown.  Lisa responded that staff is working with non-profits regarding this issue.

 

Commissioner Chan expressed the need to focus on affordable housing and to bring back ethnic diversity which is vital to a successful downtown.

 

Commissioner Shah commented on the stated goal of having 20% of the units downtown be owner occupied. Currently the percentage of owner occupied units in downtown is 12%. He said that we need to continue to encourage as many for sale units as possible in order to try and meet the 20% goal.

           

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

 

Anne Moore reviewed the calendar of events and reported that the Agency calendar of events is now available on the SHRA website at www.shra.org.   Anne also congratulated Commissioner Gore on his change of employment.

 

Chair Shah appointed Commissioner Stivers to be the Commission’s Housing Element  Subcommittee representative.

 

ITEMS AND QUESTIONS OF COMMISSION MEMBERS

 

Commissioner Burruss recommended that the commission reference binders be updated with current information.

 

Commissioner Stivers asked if the issues at the property in Oak Park on 35th and 5th Avenues had been addressed.

 

La Shelle Dozier, Housing Authority Director, responded that property issues have been addressed and they continue to monitor the situation and have moved in new tenants.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

As there was no further business to be conducted, Chair Shah adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m. 

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________

                                                                                    AGENCY CLERK