December 10, 2019

Everything on the agenda

From the minutes, in the order the City lists them. Each item's first lines are the minutes' own words.

Voted on separately

Each of these had its own motion and vote.

1. Rezones a property, with conditions, from Central Business District (CBD) to Central Business Expansion District (CBD EXP CZ).

   Passed. Voted no: Sheneika Smith.

   What's planned: “The construction of a new mixed-use development, with the amendment to the B.1 Conditions that the applicant will fund any traffic calming measures which the City deems necessary as a result of the project up to $30,000”

   More from the minutes

   • “On the 4.5 acre site, they have broken up the mass so spaces have air, light and plantings in the middle of the development.”
   • “He also was pleased that the private sector is helping with our affordable housing crisis.”
   • “She expressed concerns about the trees, parking, stormwater, and small amount of affordable housing.”

2. Approves the Land Use Incentive Grant to the Tribute Companies for the Asheland / Coxe Development for an amount.

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

   Who it's for: Households earning up to 80% of the area median income: up to $81,920 a year for a family of four, or $57,360 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The proposed project will provide forty-nine (49) units affordable to households at 80% or less of median income for an affordability period of twenty (20) years.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “For 20 years and 49 affordable units at 80% AMI, the city will grant back a total of $5,894,800 over the 16 years of the LUIG which equals $120,302 per affordable unit of subsidy which is higher than the current estimate of up to $80,000 in subsidy for 80% AMI homes as suggested by our Lord Aeck Sargeant consultants.”
   • “Community Development Program Director Paul D’Angelo said that this is the consideration of (1) a resolution granting a land use incentive grant to support affordable housing units at Asheland/Coxe Avenues.”
   • “Request/application by Tribute Companies for a Land Use Incentive Grant (LUIG) to support affordable housing units at a mixed-use, mixed-income development at Asheland / Coxe Avenues.”
   • “The development consists of 488 rental apartments with 10% (49) of the homes proposed for 80% Area Median Income (AMI) for 20 years.”

3. Approves the request by Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity to borrow $860,000 from the Housing Trust Fund.

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

   Who it's for: Households earning up to 80% of the area median income: up to $81,920 a year for a family of four, or $57,360 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The loan fund will not accrue interest.”
   • The money, in the minutes' words: “AAHH requests a HTF loan in the amount of $860,000 which they will pair with $964,000 of their own equity.”
   • “In response to increased demand for for-sale housing available to low and moderate income households, staff approached Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity (AAHH) to explore their capacity for constructing single-family homes in Asheville neighborhoods within their larger project cycle.”
   • “AAHH proposes to complete 8 homes and make them available for sale to households at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI).”
   • “Of the 8 homes, 2 are existing structures acquired by AAHH. The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) investment in these two properties will be considered down payment assistance for the homeowner, and go in at closing.”

4. Denies the request by CCC Verde Vista II LLC to utilize the Land Use Incentive Grant to support the production of affordable housing…

   Passed. Everyone present voted yes.

   More from the minutes

   • What the minutes say it will do: “The proposed project will create 6 affordable rental housing units made available to households earning 80% or less of AMI for a period of 20 years.”
   • “The property’s location and commitment to affordable housing merits a score of 40 on the LUIG scoring matrix, resulting in an award period of 4 years.”
   • “Quality Affordable Housing”
   • “The proposed project addresses the City’s stated priority for one-bedroom apartments.”

Routine items, passed together

The consent agenda: items Council approves in one vote, without separate discussion. A member can ask to pull an item out for its own vote.

1. Sets a public hearing on January 14, 2020 on long-term (20 year) General Obligation bonds related to the 2016 Bond Referendum…

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • The money, in the minutes' words: “In May, 2018, Council authorized the issuance of a General Obligation Bond Anticipation Note in an amount not to exceed $23,000,000.”

2. Lets the City Manager amend the License Agreement with Maple Crest, LLC, and the Housing Authority for the reimbursement of costs associated…

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • “The City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Duke Energy in January 2017 for property located at 319 Biltmore Avenue and later entered into an Option to Purchase the property in October 2017 in order to redevelop the property for an affordable, mixed income community.”
   • “In 2018, the City developed site concepts and performed pro-forma analysis for affordable housing on 319 Biltmore and is taking next steps to market the site for redevelopment.”
   • “The site is one of the “High Impact Sites” included within the Affordable Housing Bond program.”

3. Adopts the 2020 City Council meeting schedule.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

4. Ordinance enacting a through truck prohibition along Royal Pines Drive from Sweeten Creek Road to Hendersonville Road in South Asheville.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

5. Lets the City Manager Execute easement agreements or abandon easements on behalf of the City under certain circumstances.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

6. Changes the budget for prior year contracts, purchase orders, and other carry-over appropriations that rolled forward…

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

7. Sets the schedule for the fiscal year 2020-21 budget process.

   Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.

   More from the minutes

   • “Formal presentation of the City Manager’s Proposed Budget on May12, 2020; and”