Cornelius Housing Task Force Update October 2017

Attendees and Timeline Mayor Travis, Commissioners Ross and Miltich Ava Callender Scott Higgins Willie Jones Ron Potts John Quinn Our Towns Habitat for Humanity – Jeff Porter Town Staff Guests: Stantec, Laurel Street Developers 1st meeting in April 2017 Held six meetings throughout the year

Work of the Task Force Reviewed Cornelius Land Use Plan Exit 28 Small Area Plan Urban Land Institute study: 10 Principles for Developing Affordable Housing Affordable Housing precedents, public/private development options Baxter Village – Mixed Income development (Fort Mill, SC) Davidson Affordable Housing Policy – Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Town’s discussions with Bank of America and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Partnership regarding Town-owned property in Smithville UNCC Urban Institute – Town of Davidson Housing Needs Assessment Grant funds availability – sources include CDBG and HOME

Work of the Task Force Discussed East Side urgency relative to development changes that are occurring today Cornelius neighborhoods of concern (e.g., Olde Mill Village, Smithville) Types of housing relative to the types of need Market Rate vs. Affordable Owner-occupied vs. Rental Single-family vs. Multi-family Gaps in needed housing types (i.e., not enough housing inventory for Very Low to Moderate Incomes) Much of Cornelius workforce resides outside of Cornelius

East Side Change is Coming Arts movement in Town Center has ripple effects on the East Side Development pressure is happening today Redevelopment will be seen in Town Center, fragile neighborhoods, and Catawba North Arts Center Arts District Festival Street Market forces are changing the East Side (e.g., Olde Meck Brewery) Property Owner Turnover on the East Side Potential for undesirable redevelopment and/or gentrification Many long-time residents and elderly homeowners are only 5 – 10 years from selling their homes

Major East Side Concerns There is a growing current and future need to provide appropriate housing stock to existing residents and workforce Imminent and future redevelopment will limit the future ability of Cornelius to offer various levels and types of housing Window will begin to close on opportunities for Town to partner on developments and land banking All concerns are time-sensitive

Moving Forward Town should aspire to develop the East Side’s housing needs intentionally (vs. reactively or passively) by considering the arts movement, market forces, and property owner turnover A Transformative Vision Plan for the East Side can accomplish this Planning for what Cornelius wants its residential land use to be in the short and long-term Strategies for meeting the housing needs Planning can include how to balance Cornelius’ historical inventory with redevelopment Community and one-on-one discussions with property owners

Step # 1 Before developing a Transformative Vision Plan, we must further our understanding of the need with data and research Townwide information should be captured Demographic and socioeconomic data on residents and workforce, including those who work in Cornelius, but live outside of Town Existing housing stock assessment

Housing Needs Assessment will provide Answers Intuitively, we know the need is there. A Housing Needs Assessment will inform and confirm….. Who lives in Cornelius? Who works in Cornelius and where do they live? What are the incomes and who works in Cornelius, but doesn’t live here? What is the Town’s current housing inventory and what are the emerging needs based on demographic shifts? How much of the inventory can be considered affordable? What are the complexities and context of developing affordable housing in Cornelius? Study will allow Town to better understand the market rate and affordable housing needs to be met Study will better inform what type of Transformative Vison Plan may be needed

Task Force Recommendation Commission a Housing Needs Assessment Study for the entire town to begin to address the East Side urgency that exists today so that we may intentionally plan for redevelopment spurred by the arts movement, the market, and property owner turnover

Questions?