Attendees

Cecilia Gonzalez Nate Tarter Carrie Baniszewski Sharon Park Alicia Corson Derrick Mii Derrick McCorvey CW Odette Ramos CW Phylicia Porter Molly Finch Laura Dykes Meghan Cardoso Tony Scott Nicole King Howard Hughes Edith Gilliard Tonya Harris Serena Waters

Guest Presenters (7:10-7:50 PM, ~40 min)

  • Land Banking Initiatives (20 min)
    • Sharing by Councilwoman Odette Ramos
      • In Rem = liens greater than value
      • Proposing additional tool – land bank
        • Quasi governmental entity – solely focused on acquiring properties, disposing of them quickly in a manner that allows community input
        • Independent board – city officials and community members
          • Community notice when a property is eligible for sale
        • Great tool for places that have been disinvested in and/or ignored
        • Funding arm included to assist with subsidy on the rehabilitation of LB props
        • Bonding authority to borrow
        • When vacant properties are under control, LB will go away
        • City is having issues hiring staff to deal with In Rem, LB won’t have the same issues 
        • If you want to support the creation of the LB go to https://www.createcommunitycontrol.org/ 
        • Waiting for a hearing date
        • DHCD is against the LB
  • Q&A
    • Howard H:
      • Funding arm; is there going to be a cap on subsidy? Or is it going to be case by case? 
      • CW: Haven’t gotten into the specifics yet
    • Tisha
      • IF there is a financing gap could communities or individuals apply for other subsidy funding, i.e. Affordable Housing Trust Fund
      • We need to challenge DHCD on their stance. What is their plan? 
      • CW: DHCD claims that they can do 16 of the 17 things that LB can do, haven’t seen that list yet. 
    • DM: Land Bank works better in neighborhoods that have nothing going on can you elaborate. When will it dissolve
    • CW; the focus will be on the neighborhoods that don’t have a lot going on. RIght now it will dissolve in 15 years maybe we need to put on specific criteria that indicate the job is done
    • Laura Dykes what were the three main things you said the LB would focus on. 
    • CW; land disposition, money to rehab
    • If a developer owns property on a targeted block, how can they take advantage of the Land Bank
    • CW: they would have to talk to the community about the end use and get the community’s approval to purchase land from the LB
    • Sonia: Would the LB include vacant lots
    • CW; yes
  • Abundant Housing Bill (20 min)
    • Sharing by Councilwoman Felicia Porter
      • Sponsored by CM Dorsey – District 3
      • Tool to add density 
      • Caveats: are able to R-7 zoning to the entire city it’s only in 2 now, mainly central
      • Allows you to segment the house into multiple units in house of at least 1500 sq ft
      • Dorsey claims it would add
      • Near grocery store or transit center can add even more
      • Sq. footage requirement
      • CW Porter opposes
        • Segment could happen in homes not support by Code Enforcement or would give requirements, ie min sq ft for an apartment 
        • No protective barriers for cost/rent
        • Current version excludes certain wealthy areas like Roland Park, etc.
    • Q&A
      • Sonia
        • Sounds good but the City seems to be using it to add more density to neighborhoods
      • Tisha 
        • Already aren’t enough inspectors, how will the conversion of single units to multi be monitored
      • Cecilia: if abudnatn housing isn’t the right choice, what is the alternative? Could co-ops be an option? 
      • Molly
        • Does it seem like this Abundant Housing bill is gaining traction in city council?
        • CW: No, no hearing date set
      • To continue tracking the bill you can go to Legistar: https://baltimore.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx 
      • Tony (on behalf of Laura) – Is there any update on the Price Rite?
        • CW: 
          • CW has been involved in attracting potential grocers and many say that there is not enough “economic activity” and not enough “density”
          • Nonetheless, CW has raised over $1.4M, and there are active negotiations occurring with a grocer; community should be hearing something soon; it is a top priority

Progress Updates (7:50-8:10 PM, ~10 min)

  • Welcome package “Swag bag” (Diana)
  • Resident Guide (David)
  • Inclusionary Housing Bill/Coalition (Derrick)
  • Code Enforcement (Cecilia)
  • October panel (Tony)

Project Updates (Carrie, 8:00-8:10 PM, ~10 min)

  • Housing Action Plan
  • Downpayment Assistance Program
  • Other?

Initial Discussion on 2024 Goals (8:10-8:30 PM, ~20 min)

  • What should be our primary goal(s)?
  • What do we prioritize in 2024 to accomplish our goal(s)?
  • What resources do we have and need to accomplish our goal(s)?
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