HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURANI-2012-08-10Ithaca
Urban
Renewal
Agency Approved: 9/14/12
108 East Green Street
Ithaca, New York 14850 50
(607) 274-655 (607) 274-655
Approved Minutes Approved Minutes
IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee
August 10, 2012 August 10, 2012
I. Call to Order I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:06 AM by Chairperson Tracy Farrell with members Fernando de
Aragón, Theresa Halpert and Karl Graham present. Also present were staff members JoAnn Cornish
and Sue Kittel.
The meeting was called to order at 9:06 AM by Chairperson Tracy Farrell with members Fernando de
Aragón, Theresa Halpert and Karl Graham present. Also present were staff members JoAnn Cornish
and Sue Kittel.
II. Public comment II. Public comment
None. None.
III. Review of Minutes – May 11, 2012, July 13, 2012 III. Review of Minutes – May 11, 2012, July 13, 2012
On a motion by Halpert and second by de Aragón the minutes of May 11 and July 13, 2012 were
approved unanimously.
On a motion by Halpert and second by de Aragón the minutes of May 11 and July 13, 2012 were
approved unanimously.
IV. New Business IV. New Business
None None
V. Old Business V. Old Business
a) Property Disposition‐ development of a Request for Proposals to select eligible and
qualified sponsor‐ continuing discussion
a) Property Disposition‐ development of a Request for Proposals to select eligible and
qualified sponsor‐ continuing discussion
The committee took up the discussion of the disposition of three tax‐foreclosed properties which are
now being offered for redevelopment. Kittel led the members through a review of the draft Request
for Proposals (RFP) and a discussion of the process described within the document followed.
Members decided to take the option of seeking authorization by the IURA for the NI committee to
work with the selected sponsor for each parcel during the 90‐day negotiating period. This allows the
Committee to bring the ‘final’ project to the IURA for approval instead of an alternate two‐step
process whereby the IURA would approve the designation of a sponsor and then also, later, approve
the final project. Members felt strongly that participation in the selection and negotiation process
should be opened to all IURA members.
The committee took up the discussion of the disposition of three tax‐foreclosed properties which are
now being offered for redevelopment. Kittel led the members through a review of the draft Request
for Proposals (RFP) and a discussion of the process described within the document followed.
Members decided to take the option of seeking authorization by the IURA for the NI committee to
work with the selected sponsor for each parcel during the 90‐day negotiating period. This allows the
Committee to bring the ‘final’ project to the IURA for approval instead of an alternate two‐step
process whereby the IURA would approve the designation of a sponsor and then also, later, approve
the final project. Members felt strongly that participation in the selection and negotiation process
should be opened to all IURA members.
Discussion then centered on each individual property. For the parcel at 206 Third Street, members
discussed the zoning requirements with Planning Director Cornish and learned that the parcel would
require a zoning variance because it does not meet the minimum lot size specified in the Zoning
regulations. Cornish described the process required and Kittel was directed to incorporate language
into the RFP notifying potential sponsors of this necessity and providing basic information about how
to get the process for obtaining a zoning variance started.
Discussion then centered on each individual property. For the parcel at 206 Third Street, members
discussed the zoning requirements with Planning Director Cornish and learned that the parcel would
require a zoning variance because it does not meet the minimum lot size specified in the Zoning
regulations. Cornish described the process required and Kittel was directed to incorporate language
into the RFP notifying potential sponsors of this necessity and providing basic information about how
to get the process for obtaining a zoning variance started.
For 402 South Cayuga Street, the committee discussed the location of the existing right of way and
it’s potential impact on future development. They then discussed the portion of the draft RFP which
lays out the requirements for each property in table form and decided that for each parcel, only the
For 402 South Cayuga Street, the committee discussed the location of the existing right of way and
it’s potential impact on future development. They then discussed the portion of the draft RFP which
lays out the requirements for each property in table form and decided that for each parcel, only the
items listed in the Common Council and IURA resolution would be stated as requirements. All other
wishes for the future development on the parcels would become part of the scoring system.
The committee then moved on to the 213‐215 Spencer Street parcel. They reviewed the resolution‐
based requirements for the parcel and discussed the difficulty of the site due to the steep slope it
has. The committee then looked at the language of the scoring system and discussed the idea of a
tenant‐management plan. Past experience of the IURA with new land‐lords led them to consider the
impact of tenants on a neighborhood. Graham spoke to the need of a landlord to manage tenants
through the lease and that many would not necessarily have a written management plan. It was
further discussed that a plan projecting how one might manage tenants and the actual outcome
could be quite different. Without the controls gained through funding agreements, which the IURA
normally has for affordable housing with CDBG or HOME subsidy, it is difficult to have any long‐range
controls on the use of a property.
Discussion followed. It was decided by consensus that the application form would have a portion
requesting information about past experience managing tenants and that this could be evaluated as
part of the sponsor selection process.
The committee wrapped up the discussion by clarifying the ideas that should be captured in a revised
RFP. Kittel will make the corrections and develop an application form for review at the next meeting.
b) Update‐ Community Housing of Ithaca, Catholic Charities, 2012 Grant Recipients, etc.
Kittel reported that Catholic Charities Director Diane DeMuth had resigned and that Mary Pat Dolan
had assumed the role on an interim basis. Ms. Dolan has met with IURA staff and is seeking to meet
with the NI committee to discuss the changes at Catholic Charities and get the input of the committee
on any change in the use of the 2012 grant funds. Chairperson Farrell offered to add Catholic
Charities to the September agenda if that was possible for Ms. Dolan.
Kittel also reported that the current position of HUD objecting to the implementation of the City’s
entitlement program by non‐City staff may lead to negative impacts on the 2012 grantees. HUD is
withholding 2012 funds until the dispute is resolved. Without timely disbursements some program
participants could be seriously impacted, including people needing security deposits and trainees at
both the Kitchen Theatre and Significant Elements. Kittel will keep the committee informed so that
plans can be developed to mitigate these impacts where possible.
c) Other
None
VI. Motion to Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 AM.