Agenda - 10-05-2021; 8-a - Minutes

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6 1 Commissioner Richards asked if the recommendations have been evaluated through a 2 social justice lens. 3 James Bryan said no. 4 Commissioner Richards referred to stakeholders, and asked if the partners were also 5 considered, or just the developers. 6 James Bryan said the previous Housing Director spoke with non-profit developers. 7 Commissioner Fowler asked if the Human Rights Commission (HRC) could review the 8 recommendations through a social justice lens. She also asked about the density bonus that 9 has never been used. She asked if the stakeholders were asked if there was a reason it is not 10 viable. 11 James Bryan said he has not spoken to any stakeholders, and Maria Dewees, Acting 12 Housing and Community Development Manager, will be able to speak more on stakeholders. 13 He said the formula is fairly complex, and he clarified the options for a density bonus. 14 Commissioner Fowler clarified that none of the options have appealed to developers. 15 James Bryan said yes. 16 Commissioner Fowler asked if there is a reason why, other than the math did not work 17 out. 18 James Bryan said he does not have a good answer to that question. 19 Maria Dewees said the stakeholders that were engaged were primarily affordable 20 housing developers. 21 Corey Root, Director of Housing and Community Development, said the density bonus 22 alone is not attractive for an affordable housing developer, but it could be combined with other 23 incentives. 24 Commissioner Greene said she submitted a memo to the Board about density bonuses, 25 saying that they do not work in areas where developers can make a profit without doing 26 affordable housing. She said Fairfax County, Virginia has had some success, as developers 27 could have unlimited housing density when a certain amount of affordable housing was 28 provided. She said Chapel Hill instituted mandatory incentives. She said the County does not 29 have a lot of land and there are other values at play. She said areas of Northern Virginia were 30 able to tap into local, state and federal subsidies. 31 Chair Price said she does not think the County is allowed to mandate any affordable 32 housing requirements on a developer, due to a bill in the General Assembly. 33 James Bryan said jurisdictions cannot have non-mandatory bonuses, except by special 34 legislation. 35 Chair Price said she thought the bill intended to put limits on what counties could require 36 of developers. 37 Chair Price said density is not always the answer to affordable housing, and it can also 38 lead to high cost condos. She said in the past, she mentioned asking Annette Moore, Human 39 Rights and Relations Director, to present videos on how zoning has been used in the past to 40 segregate communities. 41 Chair Price asked if the Planning Department needs more staff to reduce delays. 42 Craig Benedict, Planning Director, said the department makes every effort to streamline 43 work, including technological supports, and he continues to evaluate workloads and staffing 44 needs annually. He said he will let the Board know if additional staffing is needed. 45 John Roberts followed up on the bill that Chair Price mentioned. He said the bill (HB 46 821) is still moving through the General Assembly, and is currently in the house judiciary 47 committee. 48 Commissioner Bedford referred to page 15, and said the respondents were two non- 49 profit and two for profit developers. She said it has been the perception that development in 50 Orange County has been difficult for many years.