CPC questions to applicants feb08
Elm Street District Historic Preservation Project
??
Is there a regulation/requirement to print 500 copies of the new regulations? Can
you post the regulations on-line and send postcards?
??
What is a Certified Local Government Applicant? It seems this designation
would be very helpful in applying, because the CPC could then apply matching
funds. Without this ability, funding may have to wait until the next fiscal year.
??
Leveraging-What about providing a match from District property owners?
??
Would MHC potentially fund this project? Could you leverage funds in this way?
??
If CPA funds are only used for Part I, how does this impact the project’s
educational and regulatory benefits?
??
What was the reasoning in not including the Cudnohofsky proposal, which
suggested the firm would work hand-in-hand with PVPC for an additional
$7,880?
??
Time Sensitivity: How imminent are Smith College’s expansion plans into
District?
??
How, precisely, will the protection of historic buildings be strengthened? What
about new construction (e.g. could Smith College’s Student Center be built under
the new regulations)?
??
Explain how this project will relate to the Education Use Overlay District. What
further action on the historic district (on ordinances, etc.) will be required for it to
have an impact?
??
Could placing limits on the height of buildings constructed by Smith could result
in less vertical and more horizontal expansion, thereby negatively impacting more
neighborhoods?
??
What is/will be exempt from Commission review?
??
Do or will the affected sites have preservation restrictions applied to them?
??
Could the work requested here apply to other historic structures in the city?
First Churches Historic Restoration Project
??
Does the church plan on using the entire amount requested on reconstruction of
the slate roof?
??
Of the three options, which option is the church going to fund?
??
What percentage of the request would go toward the Capital Campaign Fund costs
($150,000 of $2,000,000)?
??
Does some of the work provide more public benefit than other work?
??
Does some of the work fall under maintenance?
??
Although this does not relate to the purpose for which CPC funding is sought,
nevertheless it seems that a final rather than preliminary estimate for the organ
work should be included, and that the estimate for the stained glass work should
include the expense for staging.
??
What did the previous extensive exterior work accomplish? How will this work
be more successful than the previous work?
??
Is the granting of a permanent historic preservation restriction contingent on full
CPA funding ($250K) or will it occur irrespective of CPA contribution?
??
Is the proposed timeline truly realistic, especially in light of the amount of money
that has been raised to date? How much money has First Churches decided it
must have in hand before starting the project?
??
Will First Churches be instituting a Capital Improvements Plan to ensure that
problems of this serious nature aren’t allowed to occur in the future?
??
Is there a backup renovation plan if you cannot raise $2 million?
??
What does “Environmentally Covenanted Church” mean and how does this
designation affect the CPC’s criterion on this point?
Forbes Library Historic Restoration Project
??
What efforts in addition to this application has the library made to secure funds
for this project? The Committee would like to see information regarding grant
applications, requests to the CIP, a capital campaign, and whatever other efforts
the library has made to date.
??
Does the library have a Capital Improvements Plan so that it can budget for
capital needs going forward? And, are there other projects that Forbes will need
CPA funding for when this project has been completed?
??
Does all of the work listed qualify for CPA historic restoration funds (burying
electrical and gas lines)?
??
Can this project be completed in phases over a longer time period (3-5 years)?
??
Have you contacted the Northampton Energy Officer to discuss the replacement
of the windows? How much in energy costs will the replacement of
windows/doors save the City? Could those funds be better used to save energy by
replacing severely deteriorated windows on another City building?
??
Time sensitivity—Is this time sensitive in terms of City budget calendar (Capital
Improvements Committee?)
??
Has the restoration quote been reviewed by knowledgeable third party for
“reasonableness”? Competitive bid on project?
??
There is extensive documentation on the value of the library to the community, its
historic value, and its overall renovation needs. Please provide more information
on what renovation is a higher priority in terms of the addressing structural
integrity, health and safety concerns and the building’s long-term viability.
Habitat for Humanity Garfield Avenue Project
??
Is it feasible to incorporate green infrastructure (pervious pavement, Low Impact
Development structures, etc.) into the development?
??
Besides community housing, what benefits will the development provide for the
surrounding community (community gardens, energy star or LEED design, tot
play structures, etc.)?
??
When will you have site control?
??
Please clarify what the additional $57,000 is being used for? What is the amount
of the total commitment that Habitat is looking for now?
??
One of the four lots is a market rate lot. Will CPA funds be used to develop the
infrastructure for the market rate development?
??
Do you have complete/approved construction plans?
??
Please provide information on how much the City of Northampton has invested in
the purchase of land, remediation projects, building removal, engineering,
surveys, and the installation of sewer infrastructure for the Habitat site.
??
Do you plan on submitting a request for additional CPA funding for the
development of the homes? How will Habitat raise the $507,000 for the
development of the homes?
??
Clarify how the buyer selection process works. Clarify how this process supports
fair housing goals.
Horace Lamb Historic Restoration Project
??
What are the current Condominium Association’s policies/restrictions on the
property? Did the Condominium Association officially vote to impose a
permanent Historic Preservation Restriction on the property?
??
The proposal states the Wire Mill East restoration is for additional storage bins.
How much of the rest of the project is based on protecting the structural integrity
of the building vs. creating areas for storage? Please provide the CPC with a
prioritized list of work
??
Is the proposed deed restriction conditional on “x” amount of CPA funding?
??
How would this expenditure of CPA funds advance a public purpose?
??
How extensively has the mill building already been renovated during the creation
of the condominiums? Were those renovations consistent with the requirements
of historic preservation?
??
How would the condominium association leverage CPA funds?
??
Please provide information on how $150,000 will address all of the building’s
significant rehabilitation needs. Are there other funds needed to maintain the
building’s soundness? What assurance is there that this project will take care of
the problem, when previous efforts have not?
??
The impact on the homeowners of funding this renovation is about $10,000 per
unit owner. While this is significant, has research been done into whether these
improvements can be financed? Are other sources of funding being pursued?
Housing First Community Housing Project
??
Please provide a Development Budget and Sources and Uses of Funds proposal.
We need these to determine, among other things, how you propose to convert two
units into six separate units without substantial rehabilitation.
??
Please provide a five-year operating budget that compares income to rents, and to
show how these projections match the availability of Section 8 subsidies.
??
Please confirm that FHCHI has pledged $100,000, already in hand, to the project.
??
Will the funds be returned to the CPA account if the project is not successful?
??
What are the reasons that some funding cannot be secured from the HUD 3-
County Continuum of Care Plan, which calls for the development of exactly this
kind of housing?
??
Will the addition of this site create a shortage of volunteers/funding from existing
programs?
??
Will the CPC receive annual reports of staff hours, etc. for the position that would
be funded for the house?
??
Where is the property located that FHCHI has signed a purchase and sale
agreement? Will CPC get a site visit?
??
Is P & S agreement contingent on full CPA funding?
??
What is the basis for seeking housing for six people, rather than more or fewer?
??
If funding goes forward at this time, is the applicant confident that the house can
be up and running before cold weather sets in next fall?
??
Because this is rental housing, why not provide a 99-year affordability restriction?
??
Because this project is intended to benefit homeless households, why not use the
extremely low income standard (30% of median) instead of the very low income
standard (50% of median)?
??
Is there a requirement that residents have a prior residence in Northampton, or is
this a preference? How will residents be selected among those prioritized? How
does resident selection plan conform with fair housing concerns?
Housing Partnership Community Housing Strategic Plan
??
Please provide specific program goals, other than the general goal of helping
guide future decisions. Given all the work the Housing Partnership has done over
the years, in concert with the City’s Planning Department, should the efforts be
targeted to march goals that have been established: for example, reducing
homelessness, or preserving existing low rent housing options, or creating
affordable homeownership, or preventing foreclosure, etc.?
??
There are two estimates of $22,000 or less for doing the work. What is the reason
for requesting $35,000?
Sheldon Field Open Space and Recreation Project
??
What tangible benefit will the additional 1.7 acres provide for the City’s
recreation facilities? What will this provide for in terms of expansion of
facilities?
??
Is there a sense of how much it will cost to create additional recreational space in
10 years? Any ideas on how this will be funded?
??
With regard to the 10 years of open space benefit provided, is there a risk that the
property could be used for development or some other use?
??
How does this acquisition affect the need for additional soccer fields?
Turkey Hill Open Space Project
??
What is assessed market value of property (Is the City getting a good deal?)
??
Was a Conservation Restriction explored for entire parcel in lieu of outright
purchase?
??
Was a TDR explored with the current owner (given his plans for development off
North St?)
??
Time sensitive—Has fundraising of project balance begun? How likely is the
City to reach its goal in such a short time period, especially if CPA award is
smaller than $350,000?
??
Are all of the purchase and sale agreements firm?
??
Please clarify how this project fits into broader land preservation efforts.
??
If not preserved, what are the other potential uses are there for this land- is it at
risk of development?
??
Can additional money be raised to lower the amount of CPA funds needed?
Valley CDC First Time Homebuyer Community Housing Project
??
Please provide information about protecting long-term affordability. Will there
be an affordability restriction on the homes and/or will there be a CPA loan
repayment program?
??
What is the reason for the precipitous drop in the recapture rate within the first
year?
??
Will the CPC receive reports for the $26,161 of eight months of staff time spent
on administering the loans? In terms of enhancing non-profit capacity, is the main
benefit the funding that would pay staff costs (45% of program director’s time)?
??
Please demonstrate the likeliness of Valley CDC successfully leveraging state &
private funding for this project.
??
Please provide a list of preferences/requirements Valley CDC will provide to
homebuyers applying to the subsidy program sponsored by CPA funds (in-town
location, non-new construction, energy star house, etc)?
??
The benefit of the program is most significant for the 5 households who will
receive the mortgage subsidies, but other families will benefit from the counseling
provided under this program. Can Valley CDC estimate how many other
households will benefit?
??
Is the proposed requirement that recipients demonstrate that they either live or
work in Northampton prior to receiving this subsidy consistent with State
requirements around resident selection for homebuyer units? Can the requirement
be revised to provide a recipient selection process that better addresses fair
housing concerns? Alternatively, can you demonstrate that the outreach and
implementation of the homebuyer program addresses fair housing concerns,
through the track record of who the program has served and through aggressive
fair marketing practices?
??
What would the impact of deferral of this request to another round have?
??
What is the benefit of a family affording a home at $249,400 vs. one at $199,860?
Does the $50,000 down payment allow a family to buy a home to begin with, or
does it simply allow them to buy a larger home than they could without the
subsidy?