MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND HOUSING

FEBRUARY 21, 1996 AT 1:00 P.M.

PRESENT: Chair Bronz, Legs. Stewart-Cousins and

Oros.

ALSO PRESENT: George Raymond and Lynn Keating

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Bronz called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. On motion of Leg. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Leg. Bronz, the minutes of February 5, were approved. On motion of Leg. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Leg. Bronz, the minutes of January 29 were approved.

Chair Bronz stated for the record that both she and Leg. Stewart-Cousins met informally with Comm. Oliva and received an update on housing and the homeless. Leg. Stewart-Cousins stated that the Comm. did answer her concerns and appreciated the information on Section 8.

Chair Bronz stated that possibly we could have Leg. Abinanti in at our next meeting to express his concerns regarding the IMA with the Yorktown Country Inn.

On motion of Leg. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Chair Bronz, notification of the site plan in Yorktown was received and filed.

George Raymond, Chair of the Housing Opportunity Commission, gave a detailed update on Housing to Leg. Stewart-Cousins and Leg. Oros who are new to the Board. Mr. Raymond stated that in the 1980’s most of rental housing converted to co-ops, leaving rental in short supply. A needs study was done and it was determined that 5,000 units of housing were needed throughout Westchester.

He went on to explain the Rutgers Study and the Housing Allocation Plan. The charge of the Commission is basically to try and change hearts and minds - which is a very touchy subject.

Mr. Raymond also stated that the Housing Implementation Commission only has a year and a half left and he suggests that it be ,made permanent - but not with him as Chairman - he plans to step down. He does feel that the work of the commission should continue and that they should also be give staff from the Planning Department to assist them.

Mr. Oros asked about Housing Implementation Funds and Chair Bronz explained to him that those funds are administered through the Planning Department to assist projects. Mr. Oros stated that Cortlandt did a 60 unit affordable housing project with 12 units reserved for town employees and it worked out very well.

Mr. Raymond stated how under Leg. Carey, letters were sent to all municipalities with the allocation numbers and they were told to respond within a certain time frame or it would be taken that they agree with the numbers. Some communities did not respond at all, while another did and agreed or showed what they were doing to comply with the numbers.

Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked about the number of members on the Commission and Mr. Raymond stated that it is a 15-member commission, but presently there are two vacancies.

Chair Bronz suggested to Leg. Oros that possibly he could arrange a Committee of the Whole in March to discuss housing and give a planning update.

All present agreed that rental is clearly needed in the County and the study does not address rental.

The Committee thanked Mr. Raymond for coming and on motion of Leg. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Chair Bronz, the meeting adjourned at 1:50 P.M.