CC Minutes - 03/07/05 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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Roll call vote; the main motion passed unanimously, 8:0. Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor Solomon, moved to direct the City Manager to bring back to the City Council for public hearing and action, an ordinance imposing 2005 Toxics Right-to-Know Program fees calculated on the same basis as in 2004. Roll call vote; the motion passed unanimously, 8:0. 7. ACTION: Approval of HOME Investment Partnerships Program Funding for West 8th Avenue Housing Project City Manager Taylor asked that, given that there had been much discussion over the course of many months, Planning and Development Department Grants Manager Linda Dawson provide a brief overview of the project. Ms. Dawson shared her excitement in being able to bring a "great proposal" that met low-income housing, downtown, and community goals. She explained that the $13 million proposal was supported by 8th Avenue area neighbors and was arrived at collaboratively by the Metropolitan Affordable Housing Corporation and the WOW Hall. She said the agenda item summary (ALS) provided a detailed report on how the developer had been selected, adding that there had also been additional communication, emails and news stories. She said the site was purchased with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in 2004 and was offered for development. She stated that the Allocations Subcommittee reviewed four proposals and made its recommendation to the Housing Policy Board (HPB), which then conducted a public hearing. She noted that the public hearing had been well-attended. She reported that after six hours of public meetings, the HPB unanimously recommended the Metro project. Ms. Dawson shared a rendering of the design. She opined that the design fit well with the block on which it was to be sited and with the WOW Hall. She related that Housing and Urban Development (HUD) completed a study of noise levels, the third such analysis undertaken in the process, and all of the readings were well within allowable noise levels. She pointed out that staff provided the councilors a report on the noise attenuation measures proposed for the WOW Hall. Ms. Dawson further explained that the council approval of the project would set the developer up to approach the State to seek four percent tax credit funding, which was a process that would begin in the spring. If not successful, she said they would seek the nine percent tax credits in the fall. Councilor Poling, seconded by Councilor Solomon, moved to approve the use of HOME funds for the WestTown on 8th project and the sale of the tax lot to the WOW Hall as recommended by the Housing Policy Board and described in this briefing statement. Councilor Ortiz, seconded by Councilor Taylor, moved to amend the motion to add that a public hearing should be held on this item. MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 7, 2005 Page 14 Regular Session