GCLT Presentation & Community Engagement:
COMMUNITY LAND TRUST PRESENTATION HISTORY:
July 2019
· Girdwood Alliance – Introduction to Community Land Trust presentation
September 2019
· Girdwood Alliance – Introduction of Transfer of land between Heritage Land Bank and a Girdwood Entity. These are nonprofit land trusts that can be used for many types of projects including housing. This could be a mechanism to help develop more affordable housing in Girdwood. Robin form HLB will identify parcels that could be developed.
· Heritage Land Bank Advisory Committee – Public Comment during the HLB Advisory Committee meeting held in Girdwood. Question: Asked if HLB has ever donated land Answer: Yes.
November 2019
· 23 page presentation at Girdwood Housing Committee on November 19, 2019
December 2019
· Article published on Girdwood Alliance website. https://girdwoodalliance.org/a-community-land-trust-for-girdwood/
· Survey of community inquiring if they support the concept of a Girdwood Community Land Trust. Responses showed vast majority in support.
February 2020
· Introduction of Concept Meeting with Shelley Rowton of Heritage Land Bank and Christopher Schutte.
April 2020
· Girdwood Alliance – Review of Survey Responses and Discussion on CLT
May 2020
· Girdwood Alliance – Motion and Second: “Write a letter of support for the formation of a Girdwood Community Land Trust in alignment with the goals of Girdwood Alliance” – passes unanimously.
July 2020
· Community Land Trust presentation: CLT group has focused on the HLB parcel by the ball field (14 acres) and the Holton Hills subdivision area near the school/water line up (40 acres) to create Land trust project that may include housing as well as parks, trails, commercial area under CLT model. Krystal reminds the group that CLT is governed by a board made up of 1/3 each: tenants, non-profit/government, and area residents at large. Mike Edgington asks about the source of funding as good capitalization has been key to success of other CLT projects. Krystal says that this is under discussion, that possible CARES Act funding and perhaps some municipal support via low/no cost acquisition of land would subsidize initial development.
· Girdwood Board of Supervisors Presentation: Community Land Trust. See presentation slides included in the GBOS meeting packet. CLT working toward solution to housing issues in Girdwood. Short Term rental will not be allowable, rent based on wage structure locally. Currently looking at HLB parcels at Holton Hills(40 acres) and the land near the library(14 acres), equaling 54 acres. 10 acres is proposed to be developed in the next 10 years, 50% of the total land is to be dedicated to natural environment preservation. Proposal is that the land would be provided by HLB either for free or at a substantial discount from market price. Surveys of the community are being used to determine direction and proposals of CLT. Project has received a vote of confidence from Girdwood Alliance.
September 2020
· Girdwood Housing Committee Update and Discussion on September 16, 2020
Discussion… from minutes “there are community needs that require planning and moving forward for the good of the community. There may be need to change code (for example road development) within the CLT to lower cost of development. CLT group is formalizing their organization. CLT is applying to Girdwood Inc to fall under their non-profit umbrella, goal is to become a stand alone formal non-profit entity.
Proposal will need to be formalized, explaining formation, title, process in order to take to the HLB Advisory Commission; HLB can work on a staff level in earlier stages. CLT seeks a discussion with HLB Staff to understand partnership and discuss other possible models for ordinances, reduced cost land purchase and/or donation and other CLT models. HLB has requested pro-forma documents to understand the group’s structure more fully; CLT is working on community input to create these documents.”
Resources shared with group: https://girdwoodalliance.org/a-community-land-trust-for-girdwood/
2 Minutes: Explanation of CLT: https://youtu.be/ujaSjnFSHTY
5 Minutes: https://youtu.be/Zw9y3SfJbmA
15 Minutes: https://youtu.be/dNKhMfnFH0Q
15 Minutes: Place Based Economy- Food co-op plus CLT https://youtu.be/31PyAjy6Nl030 Minutes: (very good and helpful!) https://youtu.be/mxE4tjFK0PI
1 Hour: https://youtu.be/SuzrEeyyxg0Great overview by lawyer and Board Member of Toronto CLT, some technical issues but good info. Audio begins at 50 seconds: https://youtu.be/5WCkBcj9oSc
Related: Freddie Mac CLT Program – 3 Minutes https://youtu.be/evS1dRtckLQ
City of Lakewood: Utilize CDBG & HUD Home – 3 Minutes https://youtu.be/fzm5iHFnDyY
Additional References: CLT Information Resource: https://groundedsolutions.org
How to start: https://community-wealth.org/sites/clone.community-wealth.org/files/downloads/tool-burlington-startingCLT.pdf
October 14, 2020 – 12 page presentation at Girdwood Housing Committee
· “Girdwood Community Land Trust Presentation (Brittney Blackledge) Presentation included in meeting packet. Community needs: Housing, Gardening, Recycling, Alternative energy, Trails, parks, Open space. CLT meets these needs with community space which includes wellness center, housing agreements to ensure affordability. Revenue to CLT from Home sales/rental, HUD, Block grants, possibly rec center, trade school. Additional benefit to the community is local job creation. Seeking 54 acres currently owned by HLB, 10 acres proposed to be developed in the next 10 years.50% of land will remain undeveloped. Land parcels are Girdwood South Townsite G6(14.83 acres)adjacent to library/community center and Holtan Hills (40 acres) behind the school. Currently filing for 501(c)3 federal non-profit status. Application currently under Girdwood Inc so that initial fundraising can begin. Then determine scope of work through community engagement, expand CLT board, acquire land, identify funding partners, fundraise. Development itself would likely be partnership.”
· Girdwood Inc. voted to adopt Girdwood Community Land Trust as a sponsored organization.
November 2020
· Put out new poll questions, more specific to identified locations and goals. Vast majority in support.
· GCLT presented at Imagine!Girdwood – formally Girdwood Area Plan Update Committee
December 2020
· Recycling Project – Introduction at Land Use
· Recycling Project – Introduction at GBOS
· Application to Heritage Land Bank for 54 acres submitted
· Began gathering Statement of Supports – 23 collected in 24 hours and submitted with application
· Provided testimony at Heritage Land Bank Advisory Commission
January 2021
· Recycling Project – Update at Land Use
· Recycling Project – Update at GBOS
February 2021
· Submitted State of Alaska Division of Agriculture Food Security Micro-Grant Application
· Received Resolution of Support for text amendment regarding recycling options in Girdwood. See resolution here.
March 2021
· Engaged with HLB and Anchorage Planning in concept meeting for locating a community garden location in Girdwood. No site identified/approved by Muni.
April 2021
· RFP Work Sessions
· Gather Statements of Support
· GCLT Board Members attend HLB RFP Q&A Microsoft Teams Meeting
· Continued engagement on locating a community garden. No site identified/approved by Muni.
· Began Girdwood Community Land Trust Facebook page for communication with members and interested parties.
May 2021
· RFP Work Sessions
· Gather Statements of Support
· Kick Start “Into the Woods Girdwood Farmers Market” - Volunteer work painting signage for market.
· Participate in planting Forest Service Potato Garden Project
June 2021
· Girdwood Community Land Trust Board of Directors and volunteers planted a large Girdwood Valley Service Area Parks and Rec planter bed with provided flowers.
· Assist with Into the Woods Girdwood Farmers Market promotion, coordination and signage.
· Provided free print-pressed images on clothing for market participants who came to market by foot/bike/etc. in effort to reduce and conserve parking near town square during market.
· Community engagement at markets, collect signatures on Statement of Support(s) and answer questions.
· Assist with moderation of Into the Woods Girdwood Facebook page for market promotion/awareness.
· Presentation regarding Community Garden at Girdwood Land Use Meeting (LUC) and Girdwood Board of Supervisors (GBOS).
July 2021
· Assist with Into the Woods Girdwood Farmers Market promotion, coordination and signage. Host website information for vendor sign-up.
· Provided free print-pressed images on clothing for market participants who came to market by foot/bike/etc. in effort to reduce and conserve parking near town square during market.
· Community engagement at markets, collect signatures on Statement of Support(s) and answer questions. 250 Statement of Supports collected to date.
· Presentation and vote regarding Girdwood Community Garden. Received Resolution of Support for Girdwood Community Garden Location and for gardening to be added as a community use to Girdwood Land Use Code. See resolution here.
August 2021
· Assist with Into the Woods Girdwood Farmers Market promotion, coordination and signage.
September 2021
· Engage with HLB for recycling project and space for connex in Girdwood Industrial Park.
October 2021
· Hosted hot drinks and photo backdrop for family photos at Girdwood PTA’s Trunk or Treat event.
· Held meeting with Connie Yoshimura and Seth Anderson to discuss winning RFP project.
December 2021
· 12-22-2021 - GCLT sponsors Hot Chocolate during Santa Parade around Girdwood, while listening to HLB’s presentation on Holtan Hills.
January 2022
· Hold first meeting with HLB since application turned in. Progress on connex storage. Potential of 2 acres with hostel discussed by HLB.
February 2022
· Participate and present in a grassroots Town Hall event.
· Precious Plastic Recycling Shredding and Injection Machines completed.
March 2022
· Participate and present in a grassroots Town Hall event.
April 2022
· Submitted formal comments and requested edits to HLB 2022 5 year draft plan.
May 2022
· Recycling connex delivered to Girdwood Industrial Park, execute permit, provide insurance, etc.
· Kick off Girdwood Farmers Market - paint and place signs, schedule booths and music, clear trash, etc.
June 2022
· Girdwood Community Land Trust Board of Directors and volunteers planted a large Girdwood Valley Service Area Parks and Rec planter bed with provided flowers.
· Hold Girdwood Farmers Markets - https://www.girdwoodlandtrust.org/girdwood-farmers-market
July 2022
· Hold Girdwood Farmers Markets
· Meeting with HLB & GCLT - Presentation to Adam Trombley
August 2022
· Hold Girdwood Farmers Markets
· Introduction & presentation at Girdwood Land Use Committee for GCLT lease for South Townsite
· Introduction & presentation at Girdwood Land Use Committee Board of Supervisors for GCLT lease for South Townsite
September 2022
· Complete final Girdwood Farmers Market for the season.
· Vote at Girdwood Land Use for Support regarding GCLT lease for South Townsite
· Vote and obtain Girdwood Board of Supervisors Resolution of Support for GCLT lease on South Townsite
· Pre-application Meeting held with HLB, Planning and GCLT Board Members
October 2022
· Site Planning for South Townsite
· Provided 2 bids for subdivision of South Townsite to HLB
· Provided bid for road construction/access for South Townsite to HLB
November 2022
· Provided new updated Site Plan for South Townsite
