Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page six and said that if someone was seeking land <br />that was not supplied by water and sewer that they would explain it because it is an exception to <br />the County's normal practices. <br />Commissioner Carey made reference to page five, under #3 and the leveraging of a project. <br />He asked for an example of this and also what would happen if someone was granted an <br />extension and they did not comply with the extension. <br />Allen Rosen gave an example of a leverage calculation. <br />Tara Fikes made reference to the question about the extension and said that normally we <br />have secured the bond transactions with a deed of trust. If an applicant could not follow through <br />on the plans, the County could call the project in default and require that they repay the County or <br />give the County the land. Commissioner Carey would like for the County to get the land back so <br />that there would be no costs associated with it. This will be incorporated into the loan documents. <br />Chair Brown made reference to Susan Levy's comment as follows: "I think the requirement <br />that construction begin within three years of the funding award somewhat defeats the concept of <br />land banking in which the idea is to take property off the market sa that it can be reserved for <br />future affordable housing developments." She agreed with Susan Levy. She does not understand <br />why it is three years. The issues for her would be whether the land is in the water and sewer <br />boundary area and if it is not, if the soil perks. She thinks any land should be within the water and <br />sewer boundary area. <br />Tara Fikes said that the advisory board did have a lot of discussion about three versus five <br />years and there was same interest in ensuring that the property was purchased for affordable <br />housing and that the development did take place. The policy said that the project must be begun <br />within three years and not finished. <br />Chair Brown said that she sees this more like a Greene Tract and she does not have a <br />problem with the land not being developed far a long time. She also thinks the needs far various <br />types of housing will be changing in the next few years. <br />Tara Fikes said that the advisory board did not talk about the water and sewer boundary area, <br />but this can be incorporated into the policy. <br />Chair Brown made reference to page six, item C, as follows: "ar other special features or <br />other conditions that adversely impact the development of this parcel?" She does not like the <br />word "adversely." <br />Commissioner Jacabs said that he suggested making these affirmative statements instead of <br />questions. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he agrees that the objective of the policy is to take land off the <br />market when it becomes available so that it can be available for future affordable housing. He is <br />concerned about extending the time far using it for something. The need for affordable housing is <br />here now and he would like to see something happening in the near future. <br />Chair Brawn said that she sees a lot of projects already in the pipeline. <br />Commissioner Carey asked if there was, as part of the Machinery Act, a requirement if a non- <br />profit owns land that it has to be used far that charitable purpose. Geoff Gledhill said that this is <br />true. If the objective is to hold the property without a plan, then it is not tax exempt if it is owned <br />by anon-profit. <br />John Link suggested that staff came back with recommendations far the Board to vote an. <br />Commissioner Jacobs suggested putting the timing in the scoring so that there would be some <br />discretion on the Board's part on whether to purchase it or not. Commissioner Carey and Chair <br />Brown agreed with this. <br />Commissioner Gordan said that she would also like the form to be a black lined policy. <br />