Housing Committee Minutes, 2/19/15

Present:  Kathy O'Neill, Paul Arnold, Mark Sweetland, Donna Sarnacki, John DeMott, Scott Beck.

Approval of February Minutes:  Yes, with addition of Donna Sarnacki in attendance.

U of R Ambassadors – Robin Doughty

Did not attend due to schedule conflict.  Suggestion is Deb contact to reschedule for April mtg. as Gary K. is scheduled for next month.

Property Reports:

            1046 Genesee St. - Zoning Bd. asked owner to work w/Community Assoc. to find acceptable solution .  Solution rejected by Association. It would still lead to 4-car or more parking.  Board has to decide.

            81-91 Ravenwood – Donna on drive-by reported some painting, but still has to be removed and owner said he would in spring (front porch additions never finished.)                           

            255 Sawyer – D. Hawkes noted vacant since 2013 and will review and submit to demo list.  (This is a process that can take two years. Purpose is to get attn. of KeyBank.)

            337 Sawyer -  Vacant since 2013.  K1 letter sent but mail is being returned.  D. Hawkes said mail is being returned.  J. DeMott said an alternate address had been provided previously.  DH still investigating who is owner. 

Add two vacant properties, 247 Barton and 257 Barton? Both vacant

Input from Scott Beck valuable, as he is familiar with both.  Recommendation is to add only 257 Barton, as it is an example of a problem.  And in worse condition.  Both of these homes (247 purchased in 2008, purchased by first-time home buyer) (257 out-of-state owner) have been abandoned.  One has had raccoons move in, both have been vandalized, with copper removed, etc. and now people hanging out.  Second one is in such bad shape, it should be demolished, as nobody can buy it and make any financial sense.  Use this as an addition to list, and make an example of it as properties where deeds have been transferred to a bank, and they sit on it for years, while allowing house to decay.  257 Barton has been uncared for for five years.

This may be a major thrust for Housing Committee going forward.  J. DeMott noted it is not just a City problem, but also in suburbs.  There is legislation proposed about “zombie” properties.  At next meeting with Gary Kirkmire, a major question will be “what can the City do in these cases?”  What action can we take to have them make a next move?  (Note to Deb:  Please inform Gary Kirkmire before our March meeting that this will be a question.)

Report on Off-Campus Housing Fair:  Donna and Scott attended.  Donna noted a nice brochure produced by the university and thought useful to students.  Scott, who is owner of student off-campus housing, said it was disappointing because it was held before the lottery happened, so attendance was less than in past. 

New Business:  Scott noted that the housing stock in the Ward is being renovated for students which is a great plus.  He offered to show committee members a house as an example on Millbank St. that he is working on, in before and after conditions, to re-visit when done.  Several interested, but we ran long on time and had other commitments when adjoirned.

Next Meeting:  Thursday, March 12, 2015, NSC.

Gary Kirkmire presentation and discussion.

Approved 3/12/15