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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: October 24, 2006 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 1 <br />SUBJECT: Process to Enhance Monitoring of Publicly Financed Affordable Housing <br />Projects (e.g. Habitat for Humanity -Sunrise Road ) <br />DEPARTMENT: Housing/Comm. Development PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Agreement Amendment <br />Letter from Sunrise Coalition <br />Staff Response <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Tara L. Fikes, 919-245-2490 <br />PURPOSE: To 1) consider a process whereby the County could enhance monitoring and <br />communications with the BOCC and public on changes in scope or status of .affordable housing <br />projects financed through bond and trust funds; and 2) approve an amendment to the <br />Development Agreement between Orange County and Habitat for Humanity of Orange County <br />(HHOC) for acquisition of~property on Sunrise Road in Chapel Hill as example of this approach. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Process Proposal <br />County staff is proposing to initiate a process to help ensure the BOCC and the public remain <br />aware and offer comment on changes that could be necessary in a publicly financed affordable <br />housing project once authorized by the BOCC, and a development agreement signed between <br />the County and the nonprofit partner. As with HHOC and their acquisition of a 16-acre tract on <br />Sunrise Road in Chapel Hill, it is not atypical that target dates or design concepts may require <br />modification as project implementation proceeds. What has been missing was a consistent. <br />practice for keeping the BOCC and public informed and involved to the extent advisable as <br />needs arise. <br />Under a process envisioned by County staff, the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (ARAB) <br />would review and make comments on changes requested in County supported projects prior to <br />submission by staff to the BOCC for consideration. ARAB recommendations presented to the <br />BOCC for action at a public meeting would allow the opportunity for presentation and discussion <br />of project changes as well as public participation. Additionally, ARAB and staff would increase <br />written communications to the BOCC on issues or concerns pertaining to major projects under <br />development. <br />