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. -5- . Plan Commission Minutes February 27, 1985 Since federal monies are very likely to be cut, several commissioners thought strategies that did not use federal funds should be developed. It was also noted this section should mention that incentives were only temporary measures to assist neighborhood investment. At some point investment in the neighborhood should be high enough such that the incentives could be withdrawn and investment would continue. Finally, most commissioners thought that the targeted number of buildings to be renovated was too low given the high quantity of buildings in the neighborhood. Tim Rice said it would take 25 years to renovate the buildings, and then it would be necessary to start over again. Mr. Goldman explained that not all the buildings needed major renovation. Commissioners responded that they wanted to know how many buildings needed major renovation. Even if ten buildings per year were a reasonable amount, several Plan Commission members felt that the reasons given for this amount were not strong enough. The next objective discussed concerned completing necessary repairs to bring 400 homes per year into code compliance. Chairman Hamilton asked if this number was appropriate to meet the needs of the community. Mr. Goldman replied that it was. Michael Kennedy said that one needed to know how many single family houses were in University City in order to justify that number. It was explained by Mr. Goldman that University City had around 12,000 single family dwellings. However, he said that family bringing 400 houses per year into code compliance would not mean all houses in University City met City codes in three years. Codes change and not all houses would change ownership during that time. An exterior survey of houses which would pinpoint problem areas was suggested. Then code enforcement should be intensified. Mr. Goldman noted that inspectors toured their areas in an effort to pinpoint potential troubl spots. Frank Ollendorff mentioned the housing survey conducted by University of Missouri- St. Louis could be used. Mr. Goldman said that the survey did not have pertinent results due to the difficulty of measuring the quality of housing. He further added that inspectors had a much better idea of the housing in University City. A question was raised by Pat McCaulty regarding the justification for the 400 homes per year. He thought that just because that number was within staff capabilities was inadequate reasoning. It was suggested by Frank Ollendorff to use a phrase saying that the goal of 400 houses per year has kept us in good stead. In discussing the final objective about home improvements to 500 single family houses, there was confusion over whether it should be an objective or a strategy. A comment made by several commissioners was that some strategies had to be added if indeed it was an objective. Pat McCauley noted that current market forces made it advantageous to improve a house rather than buy a new one. Commissioners suggested that strategies to be into account a change in market forces. A strategy suggested by Chairman Hamilton included streamlining procedures for building additions. Frank Ollendorff said that if market forces change and it is no longer advantageous to add onto an existing house, the City could stop requiring that applications for a building addition go before the City Council.