City of Naperville Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission met March 7.
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
A. CALL TO ORDER:
Commissioner Mark Rice agreed to serve as Acting Chair in the absence of the Chair, Bradford Miller. Acting Chair Rice called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL:
Also Present: Ruth Broder, Community Grants Coordinator; Amy Emery, Operations Manager (TED); Geneace Williams, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, and Maya Raman, Student Representative
Present 9 - Jim Bergeron, Sha'Ron Booker, Diana Hawken, Alex Jacobs, Patrick Kelly, Linda Kuhn, Brian Palm, Mark Rice, and Nate Wilson
Absent 2 - Shree Gurusamy, and Bradford Miller
C. PUBLIC FORUM:
There were no speakers for public forum.
D. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Approve the Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission meeting minutes of February 7, 2022
Commissioner Palm made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rice, to approve the minutes of the February 7, 2022 Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 8 - Bergeron, Booker, Hawken, Jacobs, Kelly, Kuhn, Palm, Rice, and Wilson
Absent: 2 - Gurusamy, and Miller
2. Receive presentations from Gorman & Company LLC and Mercy Housing Lakefront regarding the development of City-owned property at 103rd Street and Route 59 and direct staff accordingly
Acting Chair Mark Rice asked to begin the scheduled presentations by Gorman & Company LLC and Mercy Housing Lakefront on the proposed development at 103rd Street and Route 59. Amy Emery, Operations Manager, TED, provided a brief introduction, including an overview of the City's actions to date, the meeting format, and next steps in the process.
Gorman & Company LLC started their presentation at 6:40 p.m. The team of presenters included:
· Ron Clewer - IL Market President of Gorman & Company LLC
· Kim Zoeller - President and CEO of Ray Graham
· Ron Swiggim - Vice President of Construction for Gorman & Company LLC
· Lauran Narduzzi - Property Management Oversight for Gorman & Company LLC
· Colin Malin- Development Project Manager for Gorman & Company LLC
The Gorman Team emphasized the importance of partnering with the right service provider who will manage the property over time. Ray Graham Associates, as the local service partner, shared their person-centered approach.
Following Ray Graham's remarks, representatives from Gorman & Company, led by Ron Clewer discussed:
· Gorman’s core purpose & values; 35 years of experience and portfolio
· The importance of building a relationship with the Naperville community
· The unique approach they take with each property - no two sites have the same design
· The concept rendering in the written proposal is an initial idea - The final concept will be developed as they meet with more with families and neighbors through the community planning process
· They are willing to develop up to 12 acres. If the adjacent sites are developed with commercial uses, there is an opportunity for easily accessible employment options for residents
· The integrated, comprehensive approach of the Gorman team - development, general contracting, architecture and property management are all part of Gorman & Company LLC
Gorman invited Naperville families that had previously reached out seeking IDD housing choices in Naperville to attend the meeting.
Following Gorman's presentation, three members of the audience asked questions about (1) research done before initiating a project to understand community needs, (2) the property area location, project timeline, and unit breakdown, and (3) plans to integrate indoor and outdoor spaces.
Acting Chair Rice asked if the HRFHC members had any questions of the Gorman Team. No commissioners had questions.
A 10-minute recess was called to allow the Mercy Housing Lakefront team to set-up for their presentation.
Acting Chair Mark Rice resumed the meeting. Amy Emery, TED, was asked to provide similar introductory remarks prior to Mercy Housing Lakefront's presentation.
The Mercy Housing Lakefront Team started their presentation at 7:35 p,m.
Their team of presenters included:
· Mark Angelini - President/Owner Mercy Housing Lakefront
· Edgar Flagg - Regional Director of Real Estate Development for Mercy Housing Lakefront
· Felix Matlock - Oversees Service Programming - Local Resident
· Jaime Torres Carmona - Canopy Design - Project Architect
· Laurie Baker - President for AID (IDD Services Provider)
· Kathy Langdon and Bill Hassert of Catholic Charities (Senior Services Provider)
The Mercy Housing Lakefront Team discussed their:
· Experience with a variety of scales and housing needs
· Mission driven focus - viewing housing as a means to transform lives
· Unique design approach to each project developed in partnership with local stakeholders and dialog with the community
· Appreciation for Naperville’s desire to address senior and IDD housing in one project
· The fact that the design concept is still evolving. They noted the written proposal included one idea, they now have three different iterations. The Mercy Housing Lakefront Team is willing to modify design and concept based on community feedback.
o Initial Concept (in written proposal) - single building - 92 units
o Alternative Plan 1 - 5 Story Senior (560 unit) + Duplex and Townhomes (92 units total)
o Alternative Plan 2 - Larger Community Space (10,000 square feet); 76 units
· Architectural vision to include emphasis on sustainability (net zero concept, electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle paths, renewable energy, wildlife protection) and universal design
· Site features to include walking trails, herb gardens, resident picnic and grilling areas; use of outdoor fitness equipment; healing and sensory gardens
Following the 30-minute presentation, Acting Chair Rice once again asked for questions from those in attendance. Five attendees asked questions and shared comments about 1) Mercy Housing Lakefront's specific experience providing services for those with physical challenges, 2) the need for IDD housing (confirmed 5-year waiting list with 14,000 names on it), 3) research done by the Mercy Team before initiating the project, and 4) specific projects completed by Mercy Housing Lakefront that combine senior and IDD housing (example given was Saxony Manor in Wisconsin)
At this point, Acting Chair Rice asked if the members of the HRFHC had any questions for the Mercy Housing Lakefront Team. The following questions were asked and addressed:
Q: Commissioner Brian Palm - If selected, who will hold the property?
A: The owning entity will be an LLC and Mercy Housing Lakefront will be the managing partner.
Q: Commissioner Palm - What is typical hold period?
A: Restrictions recorded by covenant will be in place that last 30 years; Mercy
Housing Lakefront typically holds its developments indefinitely; They very much see themselves a local entity. Mercy wants to be a local stakeholder and their intention is to stay.
Q: Commissioner James Bergeron - It appears in some of the concept images
a number of parking areas are remote to the building, how does that make sense for seniors?
A: Parking is intended to provide immediate access to the buildings, but be strategic for the entire parking mix (e.g. employees, visitors, etc.)
Q: Commissioner Diana Hawken - Do you anticipate issues with maintaining affordability over time if you get this job?
A: No concerns. Will use HUD standards and make that commitment for at least 30 years. Mercy's practice is to model the project pro-forma so that all units are affordable at 60% AMI, with many units less.
Q: Commissioner Nathan Wilson - Did the Mercy Housing Lakefront Team have the opportunity to conduct field visits/windshield surveys to look at existing community architecture in the vicinity?
A: If you have seen one Mercy Housing Lakefront you have only seen one. The team does not have use a cookie cutter approach. The goal is to understand the design pallet and engage the community. They believe that great design is possible at ANY price point; housing at lower incomes or other needs can be great places and final design will reflect that view.
Acting Chair Rice asked if any of the commissioners had any final concluding thoughts to share about either presentation or the ideas discussed. It was suggested, given the need and level of effort it will take to reach construction that the city should consider using more than 6 acres.
E. NEW BUSINESS:
F. REPORTS:
G. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Acting Chair Rice adjourned the regular Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission meeting of March 7, 2022 at 8:35 p.m.
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