Minutes 09-09-2021 Virtual Work Session

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16 Commissioner Richards said she was referring to the nine parcels that were previously identified. Maria Dewees said those parcels are not suitable for development. Ashley Moncado agreed, but said parts of the Greene Tract might be suitable. Bonnie Hammersley said an analysis showed that they were not buildable parcels. She said the County put out an RFP for anyone interested in the parcels, but no one was interested. Commissioner Richards said there is a question in the community of why the County is not using County-owned parcels. She asked if the better response to that question is the County does not have any land that is appropriate. Bonnie Hammersley said there are a few properties that will be available soon that might be suitable, but at this moment there are none that are buildable. She said the potential properties would take time to be ready for use. Chair Price asked Craig Benedict if he could provide a map of where those parcels are and an explanation of why some can or cannot be built upon. Craig Benedict said yes. Commissioner Fowler asked if there is a plan for the nine remaining parcels. She also referred to the two parcels that were developed, and asked what was built on those lands. Bonnie Hammersley said it was two single-family units, and the other nine parcels have various limitations and features that make them unsuitable. Commissioner Greene said when the Revere Road property is vacated it would be a good site for affordable housing. Commissioner Hamilton thanked staff for the presentation. Commissioner Hamilton asked the Board to consider the size of homes that could be considered for small parcels, such as tiny homes. She said she would like to know what can be built on parcels, not what cannot. She said the BOCC should consider a variety of types of affordable housing, because everyone's needs are different. Chair Price said having more information would help the Board decide how to change the UDO in order to accommodate a variety of housing options, like tiny homes. Commissioner Greene said she is not in favor of expanding the rural buffer for affordable housing. She said she has concerns it would be vulnerable to challenges by for- profit developers. Craig Benedict said staff would like to hear from the Board on the action items that are appealing, so staff can bring them back for future action. Commissioner Bedford agreed with Commissioner Greene. She said there may have been decisions made in the past that might need to be re-weighed, given the affordable housing needs. She said the Board may want to change priorities on various properties to help with housing needs. Commissioner Hamilton asked if a certain percentage of a project needs to be subsidized for a non-profit developer to build 50 units. Maria Dewees said it depends on the project and the development costs, and there are many ways that a development could be subsidized, such as using County owned land. She said a ballpark figure would really depend on the project, the land itself, etc. Bonnie Hammersley said the County got 261 units for a County subsidy of the $5 million bond, but there were many other subsidies involved beside the County's. Chair Price said the Homestead Road development might be good to consider, as it is a recent project. Travis Myren suggested staff work with CASA to get an example of the costs and percentage subsidy for Perry Place, which had 48 units.