Minutes - 20030617 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Liz Evans said that she is a limited equity owner. She spoke in support of cooperative housing. Mark Chilton spoke about OPC's application. He said that they renew their request with respect to the $260,000 towards this special needs project. He also serves as treasurer of Weaver Community Housing Association's board. He said that this is an interesting model that would serve the community well. He said that there are four single mothers that would be living in this development out of six apartments. Nicole Hitchcock is a resident of Cedar Rack Apartments. She is a single mother. She spoke on behalf of Jeremiah Russenfeld who was unable to attend the meeting. She read a prepared statement. In summary, he spoke about the positive impact of Cedar Rock Apartments. He is a public school teacher. The letter mentioned activities that the school community and the community at-large could participate in such as cleanups, gardens, composting, educational workshops, stage shows, organized trips to farmer's market, and a lending library. Crystal Fisher gave some reasons for supporting the Cedar Ridge Co-ap. She said that WCHA's proposal to make Cedar Ridge a cooperative is a very effective method of creating a village. She will work with her neighbors to instill positive changes and additions to the Carrboro community. She is personally working on implementing a family resource center. She said that they are looking to create a familial setting in which they can invite people from the surrounding area to join them, teach them, and learn from them. This is a unique opportunity for everyone to grow. She asked far support for this project. Commissioner Gordon asked Tara Fikes about the dollar amounts associated with the different categories. Tara Fikes said that the advisory board initially recommended $260,000 under the homeownership category, $260,000 under the special use category, and $520,000 under the non-special needs rentals. Tara Fikes addressed Chair Brown's question from before and said that far projects with existing housing, there is a requirement that the project be completed within three years. For new construction, the projects must begin in three years. All of the three proposals under consideration tonight are existing housing. Commissioner Halkiotis asked Mark Chilton how Weaver Community Housing got its name. Mark Chilton said that it was a cooperative effort and they received some support from Weaver Street Market. It is partly in recognition of this, and Weaver Street Market gave an initial grant of $5,000. Chair Brown asked if the three properties were paying property taxes and Tara Fikes said yes, by a private owner. If they become co-ops, they will be pulled off of property tax rolls. A motion was made by Chair Brown to fund all three of the projects in the amounts that will give a little money left over for a second phase as follows - $200,000 for OPC Foundation; $300,000 far Affordable Rentals; and $10,000 for Weaver Community Housing. Chair Brown made reference to Weaver Community Housing and said that she would like to see a track record of how the community housing association will incorporate into its objectives over the next couple of years the special needs piece. She said that this was part of the application. There was no second. The motion died for lack of a second. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Carey to allocate $260,000 to C?PC; $300,000 to Affordable Rentals; and $220,000 to Weaver Community Housing. Commissioner Jacobs said that the $260,000 is the amount that was set aside for the special needs and the cuts from the full requests of the other two are based on a percentage cut, so they are reduced by the same percentage. Commissioner Halkiotis said that he would like to do more for Weaver Community Housing than Chair Brown but less than what Commissioner Jacobs proposed. He would like