Minutes - 20021210 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Board considered a funding request in the amount of $250,000, $126,432 of which would came from Community Development program funds and $123,568 to come from the County Hauling Loan Trust Fund, from Habitat far Humanity of Orange County, N.C., Inc., to acquire a 16-acre tract on Sunrise Road in Chapel Hill. Housing and Community Development Director Tara Fikes summarized the information in the agenda. The total purchase of the tract is $400,000 and Habitat for Humanity has about $100,000 available. The Town of Chapel Hill will contribute $50,000 and the County is requested to contribute $250,000. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he has received phone calls from some concerned citizens about the rental piece. Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Susan Levy said that rental housing is needed in this area and this could be incorporated. The Habitat for Humanity Board has not approved any concept plan far the site. The property would have to be rezoned to put in rental units. She said that they are aware of the citizens' concerns. Nothing is definite at this point. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the $123,568 from the County Housing Loan Trust Fund and if any remaining band money could be used for this in order to leave this money in the trust fund. It was answered yes. Chair Brown asked how the Tawn gave $50,000 and if it was given. Tara Fikes said that she understood it to be a loan. Susan Levy said that she thinks the intent was for it to be a two-year loan and at the end of the two years it would be renegotiated and could be converted to a grant. Chair Brown asked if this was in the joint planning area and Tara Fikes said yes. If there was a rezoning request, it would require a joint public hearing. Commissioner Gordon questioned why Chapel Hill's contribution is a loan rather than an appropriation. Tara Fikes said that the County does the same thing with the non-profits in that they do it in the form of a deferred loan to secure the investment. This is the proposal -for the County's contribution to be a deferred loan. Commissioner Gordon said that this needs to be spelled out in the future because there could be some misunderstandings with the agencies that are receiving the money. She asked Tara Fikes to suggest a more specific recommendation. Tara Fikes revised the recommendation as follows: The Manager recommends approval of the funding request for Habitat for Humanity in the amount of $250,000, with $126,432 coming from the Community Development Program income and the remaining $123,568 coming from the County Housing Loan Trust Fund, to be provided as a deferred loan to Habitat for Humanity to assist in the purchase of a 16-acre tract on Sunrise Road in Chapel Hill, with the terms of the loan to be worked out with Habitat far Humanity. A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to approve the Manager's recommendation as stated above by Tara Fikes. Public Comment Habitat for Humanity Board President Richard King emphasized that they are committed to working with the neighbors in this community. He said that they have already been in contact with the neighbors. Marguerite Clark said that she is in strong support of this request. She is a resident of Carol Woods, which is just across Sunrise Road. She said that their community relations committee studied hard and decided affordable housing was one of the greatest needs in the community. Sue Harbin is the past President of the Habitat for Humanity Board. She added for the record a letter from Jeff Caiola, who is the head of the Family Selection Committee and is an employee of Empowerment. She thanked the County Commissioners for helping Habitat with Richmond Hills. She reported that 17 families will be in their homes this year. She also reported that with Habitat's escrow accounts, they will be turning in $95,000 in taxes to Orange County. Commissioner Jacobs congratulated Habitat for Humanity and encouraged them to make this as public a process as possible. Sue Harbin said that they have not heard from the neighbors that are opposed to Habitat homes in this area. She apologized if there was a false impression of the concept plan.