City of Highland Park Housing Commission met Dec. 1.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
CALL TO ORDER
At 6:31 p.m., Acting Chair Dennison called a meeting via remote (virtual) access of the Highland Park Housing Commission, Peers Housing Association, Ravinia Housing Association, Walnut Housing Association, and the Sunset Woods Association to order. Each of the Commissioners also serves as Directors of each of the Housing Associations. Staff read an introduction for remote meeting procedures and noted public comments may be emailed to city@hpil.com or phoned into at 847.432.0867. The City web site is www.cityhpil.com. Staff was asked to call the roll.
ROLL CALL
Commissioners Present: Acting Chair Dennison, Commissioners Abreu, Bernstein, Fernandez Sykes, & Valbrun
Commissioner Absent: Chairman Berkun & Commissioner Paushter
Councilmember Present: Blumberg
Student Council Absent: Fishman, Keysers
Staff declared that a quorum was present.
Staff Present: Later, Coleman
Guests Present: Harold Eich/ERES
Michael Weiss & Brian Giles/Level Architecture Incorporated
Acting Chair Dennison stated that New Business would be first on tonight’s agenda. Commissioners Fernandez Sykes and Valbrun arrived at 6:34 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Resolution in Appreciation of Jorge Abreu’s Service
Acting Chair Dennison read the Resolution.
Commissioner Bernstein moved to accept the Resolution in Appreciation of Jorge Abreu’s service on the Housing Commission. Commissioner Fernandez Sykes seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Acting Chair Dennison, Commissioners Abreu, Bernstein, Fernandez Sykes, & Valbrun
Voting Nay: None
Acting Chair Dennison declared that the motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Abreu thanked Deputy Director Later, Planner Coleman, and Director Fontane for all of the work they do for this Commission. He is excited about affordable opportunities in Highland Park.
Councilmember Blumberg said he appreciates Commissioner Abreu’s work on this Commission, in Highland Park, and with affordable opportunities in the community.
Deputy Director Later reminded a presentation was to be shown regarding the Highland Park Strategic Plan. Since not all Commissioners are present, this will be presented at another Housing Commission meeting.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
Deputy Director Later advised there were people in the virtual audience but no one indicated they wished to speak.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the Housing Commission – November 3, 2021
Acting Chair Dennison identified two corrections on Page 4 to indicate Mark-to-Market rather than Mark to-Mark.
Commissioner Bernstein moved to approve the November 3, 2021 regular meeting minutes as amended. Commissioner Fernandez Sykes seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Acting Chair Dennison, Commissioners Abreu, Bernstein, Fernandez Sykes, & Valbrun
Voting Nay: None
Acting Chair Dennison declared that the motion passed unanimously.
SCHEDULED BUSINESS
1. Items for Omnibus Vote Consideration
• Payment of Invoices
• Ratification of Payments
Deputy Director Later advised there is nothing outstanding.
2. Peers, Walnut, Ravinia, Sunset Woods Associations, & Housing Trust Fund
• Consideration of ERES Management Reports and Financials
Deputy Director Later noted Harold Eich from ERES is present if anyone has questions.
• Housing Trust Fund Financials
Deputy Director Later advised nothing is outstanding.
• Sunset Woods Financials
Deputy Director Later advised nothing is outstanding.
• Other Association Business
Deputy Director Later advised nothing is outstanding.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Consideration of Approval for Inclusionary Housing Final Approval – 55 St. Johns
Deputy Director Later noted Michael Weiss is present from Level Architecture Incorporated. She offered a brief presentation:
• Final Findings
o Departure from Requirements
o Standards for Review
• Revised Floor Plans
• HC Action Requested
Acting Chair Dennison asked if Staff has any concerns. Deputy Director Later said the final plans include the one and three-bedroom inclusionary units. The square footage of the units changed but the plan is compliant with Code. There is one parking space per unit.
Acting Chair Dennison asked about the three-bedroom inclusionary unit. Mr. Weiss shared it is 1,325 square feet, and the one-bedroom unit is 770 square feet. He asked what the square footage of the third bedroom in the three-bedroom unit is. Mr. Giles said that a queen bed is able to fit in the bedroom.
Councilmember Blumberg also inquired about the three-bedroom square footage and asked if the applicant can provide that. He also stated that meeting the standards of approval was through an approved departure from the Code.
Deputy Director Later agreed and said that the staff report explains the departure from Code under review by the Housing Commission.
Mr. Weiss shared he does not have the square footage of that 3-bedroom unit’s smallest bedroom. He noted some market-rate units are the same size. He will provide the size of the bedroom to Deputy Director Later and Planner Coleman tomorrow.
Mr. Weiss shared he has a revised presentation.
Acting Chair Dennison asked if the HC has concerns to address. There were none.
Mr. Weiss advised he incorporated comments from Plan & Design Commissioners and made a presentation:
• Community Engagement Approach
• 3d floor – one-bedroom affordable unit
• 2d floor – three-bedroom affordable unit
• Site Plan Changed
o Redesigned parking flow (one way from north to south; parking will be on an angle) o Evergreens and landscaping will be placed to the east
• Public Benefit – preserving green space
o Bike oasis, bike repair, additional landscaping, etc.
o Renderings were shown
• No Exterior Material Changes
Mr. Weiss noted the variance includes the front-yard setback. Mr. Giles added that lease-up is expected in the spring of 2023.
Commissioner Bernstein moved to approve the Final Inclusionary Housing Plan for 55 St. Johns. Commissioner Fernandez Sykes seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Acting Chair Dennison, Commissioners Abreu, Bernstein, Fernandez Sykes, & Valbrun
Voting Nay: None
Acting Chair Dennison declared the motion passed unanimously.
2. Approval for Findings of Fact for Final Approval – 55 St. Johns
Commissioner Fernandez Sykes moved to approve the drafted Findings of Fact for 55 St. Johns. Commissioner Valbrun seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Acting Chair Dennison, Commissioners Abreu, Bernstein, Fernandez Sykes, & Valbrun
Voting Nay: None
Acting Chair Dennison declared the motion passed unanimously.
2. 5 YR Strategic Plan – Summary of Stakeholder Interviews
Acting Chair Dennison said this will be continued to the next meeting in January, 2022.
Commissioner Valbrun moved to continue the 5-YR Strategic Plan agenda item to the January Housing Commission meeting. Commissioner Fernandez Sykes seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote:
Voting Yea: Acting Chair Dennison, Commissioners Abreu, Bernstein, Fernandez Sykes, & Valbrun
Voting Nay: None
Acting Chair Dennison declared the motion passed unanimously.
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Director Later said she spoke with Kevin Beard at Evergreen who received the refinancing proposals. They are hoping for a recommendation this month. She will keep the HC apprised.
Acting Chair Dennison asked and Deputy Director Later said a separate meeting could occur in December if needed.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Bernstein moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:06 p.m. Commissioner Fernandez Sykes seconded the motion.
On a roll call vote
Voting Yea: Acting Chair Dennison, Commissioners Abreu, Bernstein, Fernandez Sykes, & Valbrun
Voting Nay: None
Acting Chair Dennison declared that the motion passed unanimously.
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