HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/06/2026 5/6/2026
Town of Southold
Community Development and Housing Department (CDHD)
Community Housing Advisory Board - Minutes
May 6, 2026:4:15 pm,Annex Building Executive Board Room
Present:John Stype, Andrea Sullivan,Tanya Palmore, Lori Cohen, Erica Steindl, Beth Cashel, Erin Kaelin,
Scott Edget, Diana Gordon
Absent: Marilyn Sierra, Nancy Messer
Guests: Planner- Mara Cerezo, Assistant Town Attorney-Julie McGivney
Meeting began at 4:15 p.m.
1. Update on the CHF Housing Programs—Andrea
a. Andrea reviewed the status of the zoning update, now prioritizing the housing code
from both an administrative perspective and a zoning perspective.
2. Clarifying the function of the CHAR—Andrea
a. Andrea reviewed the legally required aspects of the CHAB, which involve not only
updating the housing plan and reviewing specific projects, but also providing
advisory input on programs being established by the Community Housing Fund.
Those programs include:
i. A general developer funding program
ii. The ADU funding program
iii. The First Time Homebuyer program
iv. Any other program that the CDHD required input from.
3. Review of the revisions to "The Subsidy Framework"
a. Andrea reviewed the proposed revisions to the Subsidy Framework,which noted
creating a 30% cap on a project's total budget for subsidies. CHAB members
supported this idea, but noted that the "up to" language on the subsidy chart
should be removed, as the 30%would already establish a cap.
b. CHAB members supported the idea of limiting the unit size to 450 square feet for a
baseline subsidy amount.
c. CHAB members recommended having a timeline for the subsidies to be utilized and
outlining such timeline in the funding program.
d. It was noted that the outcome and timeframe of specific Town departments are not
always predictable.
e. Overall,the CHAB discussed how the Town could recover funds if a developer does
not appear to be moving forward with a project.
5/6/2026
;
Town of Southold
Community Development and Housing Department (CDHD)
Community Housing Advisory Board - Minutes
May 6, 2026:4:15 pm,Annex Building Executive Board Room
4. Review of the proposed"Rental Community Housing Policy Update Recommendations"
a. Andrea reviewed Policy Decision#1, which involves providing grant assistance to
developers rather than loans, as previously recommended by the CHAB during the
creation of the Community Housing Plan.
b. CHAB members agreed that grants make sense administratively and recommended
that grants be paid out in conjunction with Building Department permits or at the
end of the project, whichever would best accommodate a specific project.
c. It was noted from a non-profit perspective that receiving payments based on
inspection schedules would be preferred, as many non-profits require some sort of
payment confirmation to commence work.
d. Andrea reviewed Policy Decision#2, which involved administrative details of
providing funding, such as tenant selection and tenant vetting.
e. Input was provided regarding the importance of creating workforce housing and
ensuring future projects are inclusive of that need.
f. CHAB members generally requested information on creating preferences and the
legal constraints associated with doing so.
g. Andrea briefly reviewed Policy Decision#3, which involved having the Town
maintain ongoing tenant and owner compliance to ensure projects are being
properly overseen.
h. Andrea skipped Policy Decision#4 and reviewed Policy Decision#5 using data
received from the affordable housing registry,which reflected that a little under
80%of the reported income was from individuals making less than 80%of AMI. For
that reason,the CDHD recommended that the Town Board adjust its definition of an
income-eligible individual to start at 80%of AMI rather than 120%, to better reflect
the current needs of those on the registry.
i. Andrea reviewed Policy Decision#6, which provided a different rental rate schedule
for deeper affordability.The deeper affordability chart supplements additional
subsidies provided to developers creating units meant to serve lower AMI levels.
j. Concerns were raised regarding how subsidies would create sufficient incentive or
profitability for developers seeking to create affordable units.
m
J�ul 5/6/2026
Town of Southold
Community Development and Housing Department (CDHD)
Community Housing Advisory Board - Minutes
May 6, 2026:4:15 pm,Annex Building Executive Board Room
5. Update on the Housing Advisory Commission-Andrea
a. Andrea explained that the HAC is currently not meeting and that the CHAB is the
only active housing group currently being utilized by the Town. More updates will be
provided as additional information is established within the Town Code.
6. Future Meetings
a. There was an overall consensus that the CHAB should meet monthly to continue
reviewing policy decisions regarding housing initiatives involving the Community
Housing Fund,to ensure alignment and understanding as projects come to fruition
later in the year.
b. Andrea noted that future CHAB meeting dates would be circulated as they are
scheduled.
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Sullivan
Community Development Project Supervisor