City Council Approves Bonds for Purchase and Rehab of Poway Villas

The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution issuing tax-exempt bonds for the acquisition and rehabilitation of an affordable housing complex at its meeting Tuesday night.

The resolution will allow Poway Villas Community Housing Association, a nonprofit operated by a board of residents and representatives of the nonprofit Community HousingWorks, to sell Poway Villas to a new partnership involving Community HousingWorks. The council also approved of the request to renovate the interior and exterior of the complex.

The acquisition and rehabilitation will be completed without assistance from the Poway Redevelopment Agency or the Poway Housing Authority. The nonprofit has proposed to use $13.2 million in tax-exempt bonds, as well as 4 percent of tax credits, to acquire and renovate the complex, according to city documents.

The bonds will be issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority, of which Poway is a member. Therefore, the city was required to approve the use of the bonds to complete the sale, according to city documents.

“Great project,” Councilman Jim Cunningham said. “Anytime we can improve the quality of life of our low-income folks in Poway, I’d say it’s a win-win situation.”

In addition to renovations of the units, the project will upgrade landscaping throughout the property, resurface the parking lot and expand and renovate the children’s play areas. The existing 860-square-foot community building will also be replaced with a new 2,080-square-foot building.

Mary Jane Jagodzinski from Community HousingWorks said the nonprofit has worked hard to preserve the property, which hasn’t had a major renovation.

“The mission of this development has always been to serve low-income individuals and to make sure it’s a real asset as a residence and as a home,” she said.

Dee Fleischman, who was an original member of the disbanded Poway Tree Committee, praised the current landscaping and questioned why it is going to be upgraded.

Jagodzinski responded to her concerns and said the nonprofit’s goal is “not to destroy the landscape in any way.”  Instead, the goal is to make the site less water dependent, she said.

Carlos Rodriguez, the design architect on the project, added that existing onsite trees would be protected. A Tree Removal Permit will be required for trees proposed for removal and replacement trees will be provided, he said.

“I think this is a great idea,” Councilman Dave Grosch said. “It’s been many, many years since it’s had a major upgrade.

If you do knock down trees, Dee will be on your doorsteps,” he joked.

The 60-unit complex, which is located on Bowron Road, was built in the 1970s. Residents, in cooperation with Community HousingWorks, created Poway Villas Community Housing Association in 1996, when the agreements that established affordable rent rates for the property were set to expire, according to city documents.

In other council business:

• The City Council also approved two energy-efficient initiatives. The council approved a residential rebate program that will offer $300 to Poway homeowners who replace their air conditioners or pool pumps with more energy-efficient models. The council also approved $137,800 in grant money and $96,197 from the city's general fund to make energy-efficient improvements to city facilities.

• During the second public hearing, the council approved a minor development review application. The council’s approval allows the construction of a 3,890-square-foot, two-story residence at 14874 Golden Sunset Court. It also approved a variance from the required 40-foot front yard setback.

• Staff presented the third-quarter budget update report. Staff project the city will have approximately $390,000 in extra sales tax by the time the fiscal year ends on June 30, according to the report.
• An investment adviser gave a presentation on the city’s investment policy.
• The city council and the staff engaged in a follow-up workshop on zoning ordinance amendments.
• The meeting opened with the Wolf Den from Cub Scout Pack 603 and 504 leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Finance Manager Andrew White and Recreation Supervisor David Richards were both presented with a Service Award for serving the city for 15 years.
• In council members' comments, Councilwoman Merrilee Boyack proposed the committee established to reevaluate the sign ordinance be better “balanced” in order to include more resident input. Grosch agreed. Mullin congratulated Chris Johnson, a juvenile detective with the Poway sheriff’s station for being named the 2011’s Officer of the Year. Johnson was not in attendance at the meeting. Councilman Jim Cunningham gave an update on the Poway Veterans Committee. He and Mayor Don Higginson also talked briefly about SANDAG.