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4 <br /> 1 Commissioner Greene referred to the possibility of"developing a payment in lieu for <br /> 2 rental housing", and asked if this was successfully achieved. <br /> 3 Loryn Clark said this policy has not been reviewed or approved by the Council yet, but <br /> 4 the housing advisory board is very interested in pursuing this, and staff will be working on this <br /> 5 during this fiscal year. <br /> 6 Commissioner Greene asked if there is an update regarding exploring "affordable <br /> 7 housing incentive options." <br /> 8 Loryn Clark said other than the employee incentive program, there are none. She said <br /> 9 this is also a future project. <br /> 10 Commissioner Greene referred to properties on the south side of Elliot Road that had <br /> 11 been held back in hopes to encourage the developer community with affordable housing, and <br /> 12 she recalled that this was not too successful. She asked if any other ideas have come about, <br /> 13 especially in regards to voluntary density bonuses. <br /> 14 Loryn Clark said staff is coming back to the Council with some recommendations on <br /> 15 how to pursue incentive options in the Blue Hill District. <br /> 16 Commissioner Price asked if the current housing needs could be identified, as well as <br /> 17 the projections for the next 5-10 years. <br /> 18 Loryn Clark said she does not have a specific number for the need, but there is a <br /> 19 tremendous need, anecdotally. She said staff is trying to set some targets for creation of <br /> 20 housing over the next 5 years: 400 new units, and preserve 200-300 units. <br /> 21 Commissioner Price asked if there is any data to show how much the needle moved. <br /> 22 Loryn Clark said some market studies have been completed over the years, but she <br /> 23 does not have those numbers off the top of her head. <br /> 24 Commissioner Price referred to the rental incentives for employees, and asked what <br /> 25 would happen if the landlord raises the rent. She said this is a one-time thing, and wonders <br /> 26 how it is sustainable. <br /> 27 Loryn Clark said staff has presented this as a pilot program, and will review it. She said <br /> 28 it is a one-time payment that is offered to an employee for rental assistance. <br /> 29 Commissioner Price asked if this is an issue because Town employees' wages are not <br /> 30 meeting the median income. She asked if wages needed to be increased. <br /> 31 Pam Hemminger said it is more an issue of the cost of housing in this community. <br /> 32 <br /> 33 Rachel Chaevitz arrived at 7:14 p.m. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Commissioner Greene said they are in the same federal group as Durham, and the <br /> 36 average income base includes Durham, which brings the average down. <br /> 37 Commissioner Greene referred to the "update payments-in-lieu for home ownership <br /> 38 units," and said she recalled the need to review/update the inclusionary signing ordinance. She <br /> 39 asked if this ordinance is going to be looked at. <br /> 40 Loryn Clark said the Housing Advisory Board plans to review the payment-in-lieu and <br /> 41 the ordinance. <br /> 42 Council Member Oates said the rental piece given to the employees is an incentive, not <br /> 43 a subsidy. She said it is to encourage employees to live in Chapel Hill, as opposed to <br /> 44 elsewhere. <br /> 45 Mayor Hemminger said it is a pilot program, and the Town will learn from the <br /> 46 experience. <br /> 47 Commissioner Price said it can be called an incentive, but she is trying to think long <br /> 48 term, and how employees can stay in one place. She said homeowner's association dues can <br /> 49 also be a problem. <br /> 50 <br />