Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 05-20 HCM MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION MAY 20, 2003 COUNCIL COMMISSION ROOM CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission was called to order by Chairperson Yelich at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chairperson Mark Yelich, Commissioners Ernie Erickson, Kris Lawrence-Anderson, Mary Barrus, David Johnson, Lloyd Deuel and Judy Thorbus. Also present were Council Liaison Kathleen Carmody Community Development Specialist Tom Bublitz and Community Development Director Brad Hoffinan. Commissioner Stan Leino was absent and excused from the meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Yelich added an agenda item after the Council Liaison report to discuss the proposed rental licensing ordinance. There was motion by Commissioner Deuel and seconded by Commissioner Barrus to approve the agenda as amended. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Barrus to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2003 Housing Commission meeting as submitted. The motion passed. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Yelich reminded Housing Commission members that June 9, 2003, was the first reading of the proposed rental licensing ordinance. Councilmember Carmody stated that the public hearing is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and noted that the ordinance had been discussed at the most recent ARM meeting and she pointed out the paper made it sound like ARM did not like the ordinance but she observed that the backgrou.nd check requirement was the main point of disagreement and concern on the part of ARM members. Councilmember Carmody invited Commission members to attend the June 9�' Council meeting. Councilmember Carmody explained that the Council discussed the driveway issue at their May 19 work session and the Council felt they had so many�other projects on their plate that they did not want to address the issue of paving driveways at the present time. She noted the Commission could work on the issue to get it to a point where they feel comfortable with it. i Page 1 5-20-03 RENTAL LICENSING ORDINANCE DISCUSSION Commissioner Yelich pointed out that as a group the Commission has not had a chance to look at the most recent version of the draft ordinance since they recommended it to the City Council in April. Commissioner Baxrus pointed out that she has seen at least four signs advertising houses for rent by the same management company. She pointed out this was one of the Commission's concerns early on with regard to rental of single family homes by a single person or company. The Community Development Director noted that people are buying single family homes and renting them out as Section 8 rentals. He added that staff is currently watching this process and attempting to determine the number of homes currently involved in rental contracts. Chairperson Yelich also noticed that the number of group homes appeaz to be increasing and inquired why this is happening in our area. The Community Development Director explained that the increase in group homes is a function of the cost of housing in the metropolitan area and that additionally, State law governing group homes exempts them from local zoning control as long as the number of residents are kept at six or below. After some additional discussion of the current draft ordinance, there was a motion by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to recommend the current draft Ordinance Pertaining to the Licensing of Rental Units in the City of Brooklyn Center reviewed at the June 9, 2003 City Council meeting, be recornmended for approval by the City Council. The motion passed. DISCUSSION OF DRIVEWAY PAVING REnUIREMENTS-FOLLOW UP FROM APRIL 2. 2003 JOINT HOUSING COMMISSION AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING. Chairperson Yelich noted Councilmember Garmody's comments made earlier in the meeting and acknowledged that this issue is not a high priority with the City Council but the Housing Commission can provide feedback on the City Attorney's letter regaxding the paving of driveways. Councilmember Cannody noted that she did address this issue with the City Council and that they had a preference for Option No. 3 in the City Attorney's May 14, 2003, letter. The Community Development Director observed that Option No. 3 is really the only way to track progress on paving of driveways but it is also perhaps the most contentious option. Commission Lawrence-Anderson suggested that the Commission could flip to Option Na 1 where homeowners would be required to comply by a specific time period. l i i Page 2 5-20-03 The Community Development Director pointed out an example of a situation where a young couple buying a house now could live there 30 years and not be required to pave the driveway as long as they did not sell the property. Discussion ensued regarding how buyers would become informed of any requirements to pave driveways at the time of sale and whether or not this would occur before the closing or at the closing. It was pointed out that if there is a declaration of covenants filed with the deed this should show up on a title search of the property. Councilmember Carmody noted that at the May 19 City Council meeting, a discussion took place regarding code enforcement sweeps and that some of the CEO's have written up correction notices for driveways that did not have adequate gravel coverage. I The Community Development Director noted that currently there is not an accurate count of the number of unpaved driveways and he added that staff may be able to come up with some count of unpaved driveways. Commissioner Barrus cited examples of unpaved driveways along the river and added she thi.nks they are not unattractive and blend in with their surroundings. She pointed out the cost to pave a longer driveway, such as those along the river, would be substantial. Chairperson Yelich indicated that there appears to be a consensus to go with Option No. 3 as per the City Attorney's May 14, 20031etter. Commissioner Thorbus disagreed with the concept of requiring paved driveways and suggested that some people might view this as a type of "big brother" solution. She suggested that the City might look at Crystal's approach to this issue. Commissioner Johnson pointed out that the City akeady requires that grass must be cut when it reaches a certain height and that he believes the long term goal should be that properties should have a hard surface driveway. How we get there is the issue and he added that he thinks non- paved driveways look terrible. Councilmember Carmody noted that there appear to be four Commission Members in favor of an ordinance and three not in favor. Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated she believes the Commission should set some minimum standards including driveways that are maintained and do not have weeds growing through them. She noted that she would prefer Option No. 3. Commissioner Erickson stated that he thinks Crystal's model could be useful and indicated he would be willing to look at their approach. Commissioner Baxrus stated that she does not support any ordinance requiring paving of driveways. Page 3 5-20-03 Commissioner Thorbus stated that the City wants to encourage new homebuyers but enacting this type of ordinance would seem to discourage new buyers. Both Chairperson Yelich and Commissioner Lawrence-Anderson stated that the cost of paving a driveway would be built into the sale price of a home. Commissioner Deuel stated he likes Option No. 3 and after that Option No. 1. He noted that St. Louis Park and Hopkins have a larger number of code restrictions than Brooklyn Center and property values are relatively higher there. He stated he believes the codes in these cities have an influence on property values. Chairperson Yelich noted there seems to be lukewazm support for an ordinance but if the Commission can determine a way to enforce Option No. 3 this would seem to be the most preferable option. Commissioner Johnson stated that he thinks perhaps the solution could be a hybrid, pointing out that the homeowners could be given the option of requiring to have the driveways paved in a five year period or if the property is sold, must be done in 12 months. Councilmember Carmody suggested discussing the issue again with the City Council to get a feel for their specific priority. OTHER BUSINESS Councilmember Carmody noted that attendance was very low at the Commission recognition event and noted that there were about 15 people total including Conunissioner Deuel and Chairperson Yelich from the Housing Commission. As a result, the City Council has decided to conduct the Commission recognition in a different way, perhaps in a more public setting such as at a City Council meeting. Commissioner Erickson stated that when the��recognition event started it was quite well attended but it has dropped significantly. Commissioner Johnson suggested that a letter of appreciation might be a way to show appreciation. Chairperson Yelich noted that it is the time of year for the Commission to consider taking a summer break. Commissioner Barrus suggested that perhaps in September the Commissioner could discuss the goals of the City Council and Commissions so all of the Commissions know what each other is doing. Chairperson Yelich noted that the Housing Commission�would adjourn for the summer and reconvene in September. Page 4 5-20-03 ADJOURNMENT There was a motion by Commission Thorbus and seconded by Commissioner Deuel to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed. The Brooklyn Center Housing Commission adjourned at 8:25 p.m. "R Page 5 5-20-03