SACRAMENTO HOUSING AND
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Oak Park
Redevelopment Advisory Committee
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
6:30 PM
Oak Park Community Center
3524 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
*These meeting
minutes are unapproved. The Oak Park RAC
will take action on the minutes at the June 8th RAC meeting.
I. Call to Order
Committee Chairperson, Edenausegboye Davis, called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm.
II. Roll Call
Committee Secretary, Linda McDonald, conducted roll call.
Present: Bud Aungst, Kim Curry-Evans, Edenausegboye Davis, Chris Ganson, Edgar Hilbert, Mary Lou Lackey, Linda McDonald, Sandy Redmond, Eric Straub, James Taylor, Rose Thomas
Absent: Nou Lor
Staff Present: Tricia Stewart, Eve Silverman
III. Welcoming Remarks
Edenausegboye Davis welcomed members of the community. She reviewed procedures with regard to speakers being recognized by the chair.
IV. Approval of the March 11, 2005 RAC Meeting Minutes
It was noted that the words “will be” were missing from the second paragraph of item V. There was a question about follow-up items in the minutes – the vacant lot issue in particular – and Tricia Stewart noted that they would be addressed in her report. There was a question with regard to writing the name of members of the public who spoke at the meeting, although there was some concern about security and privacy, it is a public meeting and names should be used in a consistent manner. The minutes were approved as amended.
V. Redevelopment Items
A. Formation and Appointment of Members to the Oak Park RAC design
Review Subcommittee – Tricia
Stewart, SHRA
Staff recommended that a subcommittee be formed to review design review applications for new development (and significant rehabilitation) in the Oak Park Redevelopment area. It is anticipated that the subcommittee will meet once a month to review 1-5 applications per meeting. Former members of the Oak Park PAC design review subcommittee expressed the belief that the subcommittee’s review is valuable. It allows for members to help improve curb appeal and learn about what is being built in the community.
Seven RAC members indicated that they were interested. The Chair proposed appointing all seven, rather than the four requested, to allow for possible absences. Two public members, Dr. Ray White and Tom Sumpter also volunteered. The RAC subcommittee members are Bud Aungst (Chair), Edgar Hilbert, Chris Ganson, Linda McDonald, Sandy Redmond, James Taylor and Rose Thomas. The appointments were approved unanimously.
B. Oak Park Redevelopment Area
Project Updates – Tricia Stewart
1. The Broadway MLK project is moving forward and SHRA continues to meet with the developer A.F. Evans to refine the project’s parameters. Two proposals were received from local firms to act as the community liaison for the project.
2.
Sacramento Mutual Housing Association (SMHA) was the developer selected
for the Donner Field project. SHRA staff
and SMHA will begin project negotiations. The plan for the 1.22 acres includes
market rate and affordable homes designed with 2, 3, or 4 bedrooms. Tricia
introduced
3. The Liquor Store purchase project has been approved by the City Council. A formal offer would be made to the property owners shortly. Aungst asked if there was any resistance from the parties. The Washington Market was already for sale and it was unknown if the property owner of Day’s Market was interested in selling or not. The business owner of the Washington Market had an attorney speak against the project at the City Council meeting.
4. The Oak Park Business Association is holding a Home Improvement Street Fair on Saturday, May 14th. Sponsors include SHRA and Home Depot and there will be food and entertainment.
5. A brochure on Conflict of Interest and information on the Brown Act were provided to members for reference.
6.
The Chairperson was asked by staff to appoint a committee member to the
Vacant Lot Development selection committee in order to review two submitted
proposals. The program provides a rebate
to qualified developers who build single family homes on vacant lots and in
turn sell them to income qualified (moderate level or below) homeowners.
Public Comment: McKeithern, a public attendee, asked about how contractors were selected for projects such as the Broadway MLK and Donner developments. McKeithern has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and wants to see more hiring of contractors, subcontractors and other labor from within Oak Park. There was a lengthy discussion with RAC members regarding the importance of diversity and how incentives and programs can address the need for training and employment within Oak Park.
VI. Informational Items
A. Sacramento Housing
The Sacramento Housing Alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes affordable housing. Mr. Fincher made a slide presentation and requested that RAC members let him know of any organizations that might be interested in learning more about affordable housing.
B. City Sponsored Infill House Plans – Aaron Sussman, City Planning
The
City of
Hilbert noted that the cost of the house plans of $1500 may still be too high and suggested that they be lowered. Several RAC members supported the pre-approved house plans concept and suggested that if the program is successful that additional design plans be developed to increase the variety of designs.
Sussman asked for input with regard to the designs. Aungst noted that porches are important for neighbors to have eyes and ears on the street and that they should be 6 feet in length or more. Additional costs include $10,000 for a building permit, which is standard. A landscaping plan is not included.
Public Opinions:
· Sumpter – applauds program, they will fit nicely in communities
·
· White – He would like to see snout houses for variety and choice. They maximize the back yard. Sussman and some RAC members expressed the intention is to move away from snout houses because there’s too much garage on the street and people are disconnected to the community. White also commented that saving energy is important and the ceiling height and gas fireplace will not encourage conservation in these designs. Over White did not like the designs but he supports the program concept.
· Whitney – The program is overdue, but would like to see more diversity, including larger houses over 1800 sq. ft. Also would like to see some for the 30-34 ft. lots. There are environmental needs – some people will not want a fireplace. It would be nice to offer granny flats as an option.
Hilbert asked if SHRA could provide some funding to reduce the cost of the plans for property owners/developers to further encourage development on the vacant lots. Stewart responded that it is a possibility.
C. General Plan Update – Aaron Sussman, City Planning
Sussman
encouraged the RAC and community to become involved in the City of
D. Potential Extension of SMUD Service into Yolo County – Larry Carr, SMUD Representative
Yolo County has asked to be annexed to SMUD. Currently, customers pay about 25% less than PGE customers. Approximately 80,000 homes will be annexed. The economics of this extension are complicated and there will be potential for re-districting and increased costs. The decision is up to the SMUD Board and they do not predict any higher risk of blackouts/brownouts.
VII. Communication from RAC Members and Public on Items Not on the Agenda
A. Straub asked about how we can address the hearing issue that was brought up at the last meeting. Rose stated tables should be arranged in a semi-circle so RAC members could better see and hear each other.
B.
Davis thanked McDonald for taking minutes.
VIII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at