HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-13-2006-5rORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 13, 2006
Action Agenda
Item No. $~ ('
SUBJECT: Housing Bond Program
DEPARTMENT: Housing/Community Dev. PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Location Map Tara L. Fikes, 919-245-2490
Site Map
Letter to Habitat for Humanity
PURPOSE: To consider awarding housing bond funds in the amount of $116,250 to Habitat for
Humanity to purchase land in the Highland Woods subdivision in the Northern Fairview
community in Hillsborough and authorize the Manager in consultation with the County Attorney
to enter into a Development Agreement detailing the provisions of the award.
BACKGROUND: In June 2004 the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a
revision to the Affordable Housing Band Policy that incorporated a Land Banking Program that
provides the opportunity for local organizations to utilize bond money to purchase land that
becomes available in the community prior to the establishment of a firm development plan. A
total of $612,500 ($352,500 in FY 1997 Housing Bond funds and $260,000 in FY 2001 Housing
Band funds) was allocated for this program.
An application far Land Banking funds was received on April 13, 2006 from Habitat for Humanity
requesting $116,250 to purchase ten lots in the Highland Woods subdivision on Tuliptree Road
in the Northern Fairview community of Chapel Hill. The property is currently vacant. Attached
to this abstract are two maps highlighting the location of the property. Habitat has plans to
construct a total of 10 single-family dwellings an this property for families earning up to 60% of
area median income by December 31, 2008.
This property is currently outside of the Hillsborough Town limits, but Habitat and the current
owner have requested voluntary annexation by the Town of Hillsborough. The Town of
Hillsborough, after annexation, has committed to extending the sanitary water and sewer to
these lots using a combination of HOME Program funds and its own funds. Additionally, this
proposed project was discussed during a joint meeting with the Town of Hillsborough earlier this
calendar year. During that meeting, interest was expressed in Habitat pursuing the purchase of
the undeveloped triangle between Tulip Tree Road and Locust Road that could potentially
become "open space" in the neighborhood. This interest was conveyed to Habitat officials by
letter from Chair Jacobs in late March 2006. A copy of the letter is attached to this abstract. At
this time Habitat is currently considering this request.
As required by the Orange County Housing Bond Policy, the Project Review and Selection
(PRS) Committee held apre-application conference with staff from Habitat to discuss the
proposed application and reviewed the submitted application. The Executive Director was then
notified of the committee's recommendation and offered the opportunity to discuss the
committee's funding recommendation. That offer was declined since there were no outstanding
questions from the committee or Habitat officials. Members of the Project Review and Selection
Committee include: County Staff Members: Gwen Harvey, Ken Chavious, Paul Thames, Craig
Benedict, Perdita Holt, and Tara Fikes; Commissioners Valerie Foushee and Barry .Jacobs; and
Affordable Housing Advisory Board Members Barbara Mull, Jabrina Robinson, and Allan Rosen.
The Committee also includes representatives from the Towns of Carrbaro, Chapel Hill, and
Hillsborough in the person of James Harris, Loryn Barnes, and Margaret Hauth respectively.
After review of the application the Committee recommends the allocation of up to $116,250 in
housing bond funds to assist in the purchase of the Highland Woods properties.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is currently approximately $277,570 available for the Land
Banking Program from the FY 1997 and 2001 Affordable Housing Bond Programs. This
expenditure will leave a balance of $161,320..
RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board award housing bond
funds in the amount of $116,250 to Habitat for Humanity to purchase land in the Highland
Woods subdivision in the Northern Fairview community in Hillsborough and authorize the
Manager in consultation with the County Attorney to enter into a Development Agreement
detailing the provisions of the award,
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Tuliptree Road General Location Map
Miles Source: Orange County GIS
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aARRr.lncoes, cNaR ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
STEPHENH HALI(IOTIS VICECNAIR POST OFFICE BOX 8181
MARGARET IN. BROw~N
MOSES CAREY. /R 200 SOUTH CAMERON STREET
ALICEM GOROON
HILLSBOROUGH, NOR'7H CAROLINA 27278
March 29, 2006
Susan Levy, Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, NC, Inc,
1829 E. Franklin Street #12008
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Dear Susan:
During a recent joint meeting with officials from the Town of Hillsborough, there was
enthusiastic discussion of your future plans in the Northern Fairview neighborhood. The purpose of
this correspondence is to convey to you the sentiments of those officials present at the meeting,
Specifically, we understand that you plan to acquire ten lots in the Highland Woods subdivision
far development and that those lots with the eight lots you currently own would enable you to build 18
new dwelling units for purchase by first-time homebuyers, After reviewing a Site Map it was noted
that there is an undeveloped triangle between Tulip Tree Road and Locust Road that could potentially
become "open space" in the neighborhood. Thus, on behalf of the County and Town officials at the
meeting, I am conveying their recommendation that Habitat for Humanity consider purchase of that
property as well when purohasing the ten lots currently under contract,
If you need additional information, please feel free to contact Housing and Community
Development Director Tara L. Fikes at (919) 245-2490, Thank you for your continued commitment to
providing affordable homeownership opportunities far our citizens,
Sincerely,
Barry .Jacobs
Chair
www.co.oranoe.nc.us
Protecting and preserving -People, Resources, Quality of Life
Orange County, North Carolina -You Count!
(919J 245-2130 • FAX (9i9) 644-0246