Will these services be onsite? Yes, all services will be on the property.
Do you have to live here to receive these services? Our residents have priority and we are open to providing services to non-residents.
Who pays for services? MidPen invests over $7 million annually with a focus on providing intentional services in our communities.
Are there intergenerational activities and programs? Yes, and this area is in development. Wherever we can, we create opportunities for our residents to connect, learn from one another and thrive.
Are there workforce development programs? Yes. MidPen partners with local agencies and create programs focused on academic and career development.
What type of programming is available to children who reside at the site? MidPen Resident Services Corporation will deliver on-site services, which includes after school programming and academically based summer programming. MidPen offers a host of Family Services programming to ensure our families have the ability to grow and thrive, including health and wellness, financial literacy, and employment related computer training. MidPen Resident Services also partners with MidPen Property Management to ensure residents understand lease rules.
Will there be space for kids to do homework? MidPen Resident Services Corporation will deliver on-site services to Verano Family Housing, which includes after school programming and academically based summer programming. There will be community space for residents which include computer stations and homework stations. MidPen offers a host of Family Services programming to ensure our families have the ability to grow and thrive, including health and wellness, financial literacy, and employment related computer training.
MidPen Affordable Housing PM and Resident Selection:
How are residents chosen? MidPen Property Management begins marketing the apartments home and hiring staff six months prior to the units becoming available. Five months prior, they establish a leasing office. Four months prior, the application period is opened for approximately two weeks. Three months prior, the application period closes, and applicants are then selected by lottery. This selection assigns the applicant a space in the review line, at which point their application is reviewed by staff to ensure they meet all of the income and background qualifications.
Who qualifies to be a resident? We rent to all qualified applicants who meet our income criteria, background screening criteria, and pursuant to an approved Resident Selection Criteria.
Are any of the homes going to be for sale? No, all of the homes will be rental.
What’s the mix of affordability? No higher than 60% AMI.
Does the affordability chart indicate the actual levels? The affordability chart contains rent and income levels for Sonoma County effective as of June 28, 2019. These income levels are updated annually.
What’s AMI? AMI stands for Area Median Income. See the above affordability/income chart linked above for Sonoma County.
What happens with social security? We accept social security as a form of income provided applicants meet our income requirements (minimum and maximum).
Could there be Section 8? Yes, we accept Section 8 at all MidPen properties. We may also have Project Based Section 8 (PBV).
Does the housing include seniors? The housing will primarily be targeted to families, but doesn’t preclude seniors from being residents.
How many vehicles are allowed and can residents of the housing work on cars? Units will be assigned a parking space and parking is monitored via project specific parking passes. Work on cars is prohibitive by the properties rules and regulations.
Affordable Housing Design:
Will there be development near the creek? The setback is 50’ from the top of the bank. There will be no structures and minimal site disruption within this setback.
How is storm water treatment onsite, HVAC, water heating, and solar? Stormwater and building systems have not yet been designed. Mithun and MidPen are committed to high levels of sustainability and we will work with our consultants to ensure we’re creating a sustainable community.
What will happen to trees? We’re looking to preserve as many of the healthy trees as possible, while still meeting our development goals to maximize the number of permanently affordable homes we can provide.
Will there be a fence along the creek? Water gets high and fast during storms. We are not anticipating a fence along the creek. Buildings will be sited outside of the 100 year flood line.
What is the unit mix, total number of bedrooms and total parking? We are currently estimating 71 apartment homes. Final unit mix and number of parking spaces are subject to change based on the final site plan. We estimate a mix of 1BR, 2BR and 3BR units ranging from 500-1,000 square feet.
How much space will hotel take? The hotel is a 2.40 acre site located along the street frontage of Verano Avenue.
What’s the scale and character of the architecture? The residential buildings are proposed to be 3 story structures with a 2 story community building. The architectural character will be warm and homey, situated in a village setting to blend in to the existing oak groves. It will be a modern interpretation of the more cabin-like, wooded structures in Sonoma.
Are you considering solar? Yes.
Are there going to be elevators? No, all of the buildings are garden style walk-ups.
Project:
Is it approved by planning and zoning? No. Community engagement is the first step in our process before the project as a whole is submitted.
Is the hotel nonprofit? No, MidPen is a nonprofit housing developer. SIG is a for-profit hotel developer.
Who has approval jurisdiction? Sonoma County.
Has county expressed support for widening Verano Ave? There have been no discussions with the county regarding the widening of Verano Avenue.
Is the City proposing this development? MidPen and SIG are proposing this development. We are working collaboratively to solicit input through the series of community meetings.
Why pursue project proposals before the Springs Specific Plan is adopted? The Specific Plan approval timeline is uncertain, and housing is desperately needed, so we are moving ahead with the project application and land use approvals to provide affordable housing to those in need as quickly as possible. The development is being proposed using the draft of the Springs Specific Plan as well as the existing General Plan, and feedback from PRMD.
How is the affordable housing accessed? The affordable housing development will be accessed off of Verano Avenue.
How is the project addressing tree preservation? The project has engaged an arborist to provide guidance related to tree preservation and mitigation. A tree projection plan will be implemented during the construction period.