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FAIR HOUSING
ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES
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CITY OF NORWALK
FAIR HOUSING ADVISORY COMMISSION
JANUARY 14, 2008
ATTENDANCE: Barbara Hudgins, Acting Chair; Carol Frank; Nancy Burke; Bernadine
Tatem.
STAFF: Margaret Suib, Fair Housing Officer.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:50 p.m. by the Acting Chair.
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 16, 2007 MINUTES
The following correction was made: On page 3, first motion, “conditional” was corrected to “Commission”.
** MS. TATEM MOVED APPROVAL AS CORRECTED.
** MS. BURKE SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED WITH ONE ABSTENTION (MRS. FRANK).
OLD BUSINESS
DISCUSSION OF COMMISSION WORK PLAN, FY2007-2008
Ms. Burke suggested there be a newspaper column on the pitfalls of disclosure schemes. Ms. Frank said even though it is in the newspaper, it should be given to the Senior Center and should also go to the Spanish-speaking newspaper. Ms. Tatem said that information should be made up for the South Norwalk Community Center. Ms. Suib asked if the articles could be translated into Spanish; this will be looked into.
Re workforce housing regulations, Ms. Suib said they have pointed out concerns to the Zoning Commission, but it remains unresolved. State requirements are 20%, which conflicts with the city regulation. Ms. Burke said that the Connecticut constitution gives more protection than the federal constitution. Ms. Suib said part of Fair Housing is to promote integration, but this does not happen when developers are allowed to put housing in different locations.
Ms. Suib said they should be putting the cost burden onto non-residential developers. Ms. Tatem said some developers pay the city rather than providing affordable housing.
Discussion took place on that fact that, in 2010, the city will fall under 10% affordable housing.
Re Educational Seminar, Ms. Burke said developers should be added. Ms. Tatem said developers need to know how they should construct units for handicapped people. Ms. Suib pointed out that there is a separate need to train landlords on what they need to supply for handicapped residents. She would like to propose to the city that anyone coming to the Building Department with four or more residents would also have to come to her.
Ms. Frank suggested having another breakfast meeting with developers, etc. Ms. Suib said she presumed that the Commission would want to hold another event, be it a breakfast or luncheon.
Discussion took place on participation, with Ms. Burke noting that Legal Services would participate. However, their participation might be a problem in terms of people in lawsuits with Legal Services declining to participate. There was consensus that Legal Services should not be part of the panel. Ms. Suib suggested appointed a panel to work on this, but it was agreed that she would come up with a plan and present it at the February meeting.
Ms. Burke said they should have a small meeting on disabilities, followed by a large community event. Ms. Tatem said it should be done the opposite way; a big meeting followed by a meeting with disabled people. Ms. Suib said they could do one for developers and architects, which would have a consultant and would be costly. Design and construction requirements in the Fair Housing Act are not included in the State Building Code. There is no legal requirement that this be included in the building code.
Ms. Suib will work on a title for this luncheon, which will take place in May and will be discussed at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
DISTRIBUTION OF FAIR HOUSING OFFICER’S ANNUAL REPORT, FY 2006-2007
Commissioners received this document, which will be discussed in February.
ADJOURNMENT
The February meeting will take place on February 12th at 3 p.m.
** MS. TATEM MOVED TO ADJOURN.
** MS. FRANK SECONDED.
** MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Telesco
Telesco Secretarial Services
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