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The Chaffee Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Directors will hold their monthly meeting from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 15. A packed agenda is planned and the video call link for the meeting is here.

CHA and a newly formed housing coalition for the South Ark Neighborhood Master Plan

South Ark Neighborhood Master Plan Coalition. Courtesy logo

During design charette meetings in March, 2023 various individuals and interest groups expressed their preferences for allocation of the South Ark Neighborhood parcel in Salida (formerly Vandaveer Ranch).

As an outcome, multiple entities expressed a desire to collaborate and focus on critical housing needs. These included the CHA, Chaffee Housing Trust (CHT), the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Chaffee County Community Foundation.

Following a brief presentation by City of Salida consultants for the South Ark Neighborhood Master Plan, CHA board members will review a “South Ark Position Letter”, jointly drafted by the coalition entities and addressed to the Salida City Council and staff. The draft acknowledges that competing interests (recreation, open space, etc.) are present, however it says “All efforts should be made to attain the maximum number of units allowed”.

According to numbers provided by the city and its consultants, the maximum allowable density might be 400 units and the coalition is advocating that rental units should be the first priority. Following discussion, Board Resolution 2023-11 is proposed to approve sending the letter, subject to signoff by the other entities.

Carbonate Street Rental Apartment project location in Buena Vista. Image courtesy Fading West

In other New Business

  • Resolution 2023-16 will consider a Special Limited Partnership (SLP) with developer Fading West for a workforce housing project (the 60-unit Carbonate Street rental apartments) in the heart of downtown Buena Vista.
  • Resolution 2023-12 covers the proposed CHA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Policy.
  • Resolution 2023-13  defines the charter of an Ad Hoc Strategic Plan Update Committee, with targeted completion by Sept. 21, 2023.
  • Resolution 2023-14 authorizes the BETCH housing advocacy group to present a standing report at all CHA Board meetings.

Additionally, Ashley Kappel will present her Six-Month Operations Plan and Key Priorities. Supporting the plan, Kappel has been providing weekly Board Reports outlining key accomplishments and activities in more than half a dozen areas including Finance and Operations, Jane’s Place, and the SLP program, to name a few.

The Board will also a consider a recommendation for two potential new members, Jeff Eaton (former interim CHA Executive Director) and Rob Gartzman (a Salida small business owner and service worker employer).

Consent agenda items and committee reports round out the agenda for the meeting.