SUBJECT:     PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPROVAL OF A DISPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT FOR: 1) THE SALE AND CONVEYANCE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY TO COMMUNITY HOME BUILDERS & ASSOCIATES OR ITS DESIGNATED AFFILIATE; 2) DEVELOPMENT OF A 100-UNIT FAMILY HOUSING PROJECT WITH TEACHER PREFERENCE; AND 3) AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A LOAN WITH COMMUNITY HOME BUILDERS & ASSOCIATES OR ITS DESIGNATED AFFILIATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROBERTS AVENUE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF LUCRETIA AVENUE AND VINTAGE WAY.

 

COUNCIL DISTRICT:  77

SNI Area:  Tully/Senter

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the City Council hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution:

 

1.      Approving a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) between the City of San José and Community Home Builders & Associates (CHBA), or its designated affiliate, for the acquisition and development of the Roberts Avenue Family Housing, a 100-unit family development on 3.42 acres of City-owned property, located at the northwest corner of Lucretia Avenue and Vintage Way.

2.      Approving business terms for an acquisition/predevelopment loan in an amount not to exceed $3,922,778, a construction loan of up to $7,184,002 (which includes the refinancing of an acquisition loan of $3,422,778 and a predevelopment loan of $500,000), and a permanent loan of up to $4,300,000.

3.      Authorizing the Director of Housing to negotiate and execute all necessary documents evidencing the subject DDA with CHBA, or its designee, including loans, deeds, and other related agreements on behalf of the City related to the housing development.

 

BACKGROUND

 

On June 27, 2000, the City Council selected Community Home Builders & Associates as the developer of the Roberts Avenue family housing project, which will be marketed to teachers, located at the northwest corner of Lucretia Avenue and Vintage Way.  It also approved a predevelopment loan in the amount of $500,000 to Community Home Builders & Associates.

 

On May 15, 2001, the City Council held a Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1986 (“TEFRA”) hearing and adopted a resolution expressing its intent to issue up to $14,000,000 in tax-exempt multi-housing revenue bonds to finance the construction of a 100-unit family rental development located at Lucretia Avenue and Vintage Way.  The bonds for this development will qualify as 501(c)(3) bonds and will be issued on behalf of a nonprofit organization. 

 

The noticed public hearing procedure is required for the sale or conveyance of the subject parcel since it was acquired with 20% Housing Redevelopment Funds.  This Notice of Public Hearing was published on December 3, 2001 and December 10, 2001.  A summary report of this DDA has been completed by Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., pursuant to Section 33433 of California Redevelopment law.  The results of that analysis are part of the public hearing packet for this matter and have been incorporated into the subject report.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 

The subject DDA addresses approximately 3.42 acres of City-owned property located on Lucretia Avenue and Vintage Way.  CHBA intends to acquire the site from the City for the construction and permanent financing of 100 units of family housing which will be marketed to teachers, with 75 units affordable to very low- and low-income persons or households.

 

CHBA intends to obtain a commitment for a private placement bond structure utilizing Fannie Mae credit enhancement.  If this commitment is obtained as structured, the bonds would receive a  “AAA” rating. 

 

PROJECT BUDGET AND ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSACTION

 

A.     Summary of the Proposed Transaction

 

On June 27, 2000, the City Council selected Community Home Builders & Associates (CHBA) to develop the Roberts Avenue Family Housing Project on City-owned property. At the same time, the City Council approved a predevelopment loan in the amount of $500,000 to CHBA to move forward with project planning and financing activities.

 

B.     Housing Development Budget and Sources of Funds

 

The total project cost is estimated at $17,387,880.  The permanent financing package includes first-mortgage financing consisting of tax-exempt bonds to be issued by the City of San José of approximately $11,490,000, second mortgage financing consisting of tax-exempt bonds issued by the City of San José of approximately $1,597,880, and the proposed City permanent loan of up to $4,300,000.

 

C.     Financial Analysis and Restricted Rent Levels

 

The proposed transaction involves the sale of City-owned land for an acquisition amount of $3,422,778, which represents the market value as supported by an appraisal performed for the City by Cushman & Wakefield as of April 9, 1999.  A City note in the amount of $7,184,002 will be provided to the developer under the terms of the City’s construction loan agreement.

 

With one (1) unrestricted manager unit, 20 units will be rented to family households within the very low-income category, 55 units will be for moderate-income households and 24 units will be rented at market rate.  Project rents and operating costs will be based on the federal law regulating the use of tax-exempt multifamily bond financing for new construction projects on behalf of Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities that require that 20% of the project’s units must be made available to very low-income households (those earning 50% or less of the area median income) for the period that the bonds are outstanding and 55% of the units be affordable to households at 80% of the area median income.  The remaining 25% of the units will be at market rates.  The City has recorded 55-year affordability restrictions on the property.

 

D.     Proposed Business Terms of the DDA

 

Acquisition/Predevelopment Loan

 

Borrower:                     Community Home Builders & Associates, or its affiliate

Loan Amount:               $3,922,778     

Term:                           24 Months

Interest rate:                 No interest

Repayment:                  City’s Construction loan

Recourse:                     The City’s Acquisition Loan will be recourse

 

Construction Loan

 

Borrower:                     Community Home Builders & Associates, or its affiliate

Loan Amount:               $7,184,002 (includes the $3,922,778 acquisition/predevelopment loan amount)

Term:                           24 Months

Interest:                        3% per year simple interest

Repayment:                  City’s Permanent Loan and bond proceeds

Recourse:                     The City’s Construction Loan will be recourse

 

Permanent Loan

 

Borrower:                     Community Home Builders & Associates, or its affiliate

Loan Amount:               $4,300,000 (includes the $3,922,778 acquisition/predevelopment loan amount)

Term:                           55 years

Interest rate:                 3% per year simple interest with unpaid accrued interest compounding to principal at the end of each year.

Repayment:                  Residual receipts of 75% of net cash flow. Net cash flow payments in excess of outstanding interest to apply to loan principal.  Full repayment of all principal and interest due at maturity.

Loan to Value:              100%

Recourse:                     The City’s permanent loan shall be non-recourse.

Subordination:              As allowed by State law.

Affordability:                 The City’s 30-year Affordability Restrictions will be amended to run for 55 years and require that 20 of the units be affordable to very low-income households, 55 units will affordable to low-income households, 24 units will be rented at market rate and 1 manager unit will be unrestricted.

Security:                       The City’s loan will be secured by a deed trust during the construction period and permanent loan period.  A Promissory Note containing the above repayment provisions will be executed and 55-year Affordability Restrictions will continue to run with the property.

 

ANALYSIS

 

The PD Rezoning for the Roberts Avenue Senior Housing was approved by the City Council on March 20, 2001. 

 

The project consists of 100 units of family housing that will be preferentially marketed to teachers.  The housing and parking will be constructed on a 3.42-acre parcel located on Lucretia Avenue and Vintage Way.

 

As noted above, the purchase price for the family portion of the land has been set at $3,422,778. This value is supported by an appraisal performed for the City of San José by Cushman & Wakefield as of April 9, 1999.  The City owns the subject property and intends to sell it to the sponsor for the development of the Roberts Avenue Family Housing development. The total project cost is estimated at $17,387,880.  The permanent financing package includes first- mortgage financing consisting of tax-exempt bonds issued by the City of San José of approximately $11,490,000, second-mortgage financing consisting of tax-exempt bonds issued by the City of San José of approximately $1,597,880, and the proposed City loan of up to $4,300,000.

 

It is anticipated that the grading will begin in December 2001 and that the project will be ready for occupancy in Spring 2003.

 

PUBLIC OUTREACH

 

The sponsor has hosted two community outreach meetings on December 13, 2000 and February 21, 2001, at the R. F. Kennedy Elementary School.  Also, the PD permit process for this project will require a public hearing with notices sent to surrounding residents. 

 

On April 4, 2001, the sponsor participated in the Franklin McKinley Teacher Resource Fair to provide teachers with information about the new housing project.  The sponsor has also met with the National Hispanic University, Santa Clara University, the Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT) and San José State University as part of their teacher outreach efforts.

 

LEGAL ISSUES

 

An affordability restriction with 55-year requirements has been recorded on the property.  A tax regulatory agreement with 55-year affordability requirements will be recorded on the property with the issuance of bonds.  The closing of the City’s acquisition loan will include the recordation of an amended City 55-year affordability restriction.

 

COORDINATION

 

The preparation of this report has been coordinated with the Office of the City Attorney.

 

FISCAL ASPECTS

 

Funds not already disbursed are available in the Housing Department’s Fiscal Year 2001-02 budget.

 

CEQA

 

ND.

 

 

LESLYE CORSIGLIA

Acting Director of Housing