Minutes 11-01-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 a. Matters not on the agenda Indira Everett, said she is from Duke Energy, where she is the District Manager of Government & Community Relations for Chatham, Durham, Lee and Orange Counties. She said she wanted to visit each of the local governments to introduce herself formally and to thank the Board for their service. She said Hurricane Matthew was a challenge, and she distributed two handouts to the Board in reference to emergency preparation and information about the process of power restoration after a weather emergency. Lisa Fischbect, Episcopal Priest with the Episcopal Church of the Advocate in Chapel Hill, said she is here representing Peewee Homes Collaborative, which is a collaborative effort to provide affordable housing. She said this group is transcending usual work and cooperation lines, by bringing together a church, the Town of Chapel Hill, non-profits, architects, a carpenter, and contractors to find affordable housing for people who are at 30% of the average median income in the County. She said the success of this project will be based not only on the collaborations that form, but also the replication of this project elsewhere. She said the church where she serves has 15 acres of land, which it intends to use to house three of these tiny homes as the first project for this collaborative. Sarah Howell, Architect, provided the Board with the preliminary designs for the prototypes for the tiny homes in the Peewee homes project. She said the homes range in size from 250-320 square feet. She said these homes are targeted to house one individual who may be elderly, or on a fixed income. She said there are both handicap accessible and standard floor plan options. She said the first three houses will be built on the Church of the Advocate land, and should be built for $41,500 for the larger prototype, and $31,500 for the smaller. She said these will be permanent structures. She said that the Town of Chapel Hill has given a grant of$70,000 to this project. Commissioner Price asked if these homes would be for sale or rent. Sarah Howell said the homes would be for rent, for 30% of the individual's income, and 15% of the rental income will go into a savings account for the renter. Commissioner Jacobs asked if this information is simply a presentation, or is this organization asking for funding. Lisa Fischbect said the process to apply for funding is not yet known, but there was a desire to make the Board aware of the project. She said any advice or guidance would be welcomed. Commissioner Jacobs said the Board would refer this to the County Manager. Chair McKee said when housing is discussed later on the agenda, there will be an opportunity to speak Commissioner Dorosin said funds were received from Chapel Hill, and asked if there are any other income sources. Lisa Fischbect said approximately $150,000 is needed, and multiple grants are being pursued. She said County funds would be wonderful. Commissioner Dorosin said he appreciated this idea and especially likes the use of church land. Commissioner Rich advised the Collaborative to have discussions with the Town of Chapel Hill about waiving permit fees. b. Matters on the Printed Agenda (These matters will be considered when the Board addresses that item on the agenda below.)