Tuesday, November 26, 2002
On a recent sunny morning four City Council members donned hard hats and raised a framed wall, officially beginning construction of Murphy Ranch, yet another jointly built affordable housing project in town.
Best of all, the project is designed to be highly energy-efficient and “green”, featuring vinyl energy-efficient windows, air conditioning and heating provided by a hydronic system using hot water recirculated from the hot water heater, recycled non-formaldehyde batt insulation and fluorescent lighting throughout.
Working in partnership with the city (under the auspices of the Redevelopment Agency), First Community Housing is building the two-part, 100-unit collection of townhouses on the southeast corner of East Dunne Avenue and Butterfield Boulevard. Completion of the first 62 units is expected in fall 2003, with the final 38 due summer 2005.
Two building phases are necessary because the project must undergo the same Measure P competition as does all other residential construction in town, even though it is partially a city project.
“We are excited about working with Morgan Hill,” said Gary Schoennauer, chairman of First Community’s board.
The townhomes, set on 7.2 acres, will have two, three or four bedrooms, their own washer/dryer units and large and private backyards. Common areas include a solar-heated swimming pool, two tot lots and a recreation building with lounge and computer study lab.
“I’m amazed at what they’ve included,” said Mayor Dennis Kennedy before discharging the wall-raising duties with Councilmen Greg Sellers and Steve Tate and Councilwoman Hedy Chang. “I’m proud to welcome Murphy Ranch to our community.”
Complementing the “green” factor is the strategic location - on a major bus route, within walking distance of grocery shopping and downtown stores and easily accessible to the CalTrain station. As is its policy, First Community Housing will provide free EcoPasses for bus and light-rail transportation.
Rents will be low with some units available for workers earning only 22 percent of Santa Clara County’s median income - $16,896 for two people. Others will be marketed to renters earning up to 60 percent of the median - $46,080 for two people. Two- and three-bedroom units will cost $383 to $1449 per month, compared to similar units renting at market rate of $1450 to $1750 per month.
Another way of looking at rents is that a family of two earning $17,000 can rent a two-bedroom apartment for $383 a month; a family of eight, earning $76,000 would pay $1449 a month for 4 bedrooms.
First Community Housing of San Jose is a private, nonprofit developer, with a commitment to building affordable and green buildings that set well in the local environment. Its Executive Director, Jeff Oberdorfer is a licensed architect with more than 30 year’s experience.
In early November First Community Housing was awarded $15,000 as a winner of the 2002 MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing for a north San Jose development, Rincon de Los Esteros. The award is conferred annually to organizations excelling at developing and managing innovative affordable housing and support services for low-income people.
The MetLife Foundation Awards program recognizes, rewards and shares the best practices of community-based nonprofit organizations and Native American housing entities across the country. The Enterprise Foundation established the program in 1996 to recognize excellence in two categories of affordable housing: supportive housing, and property and asset management.
Emphasizing good communication and accountability with their property manager, The John Stewart Company, ensures that the property is well-maintained and an asset to the neighborhood, according to Betsy Powell, FCH’s communications director.
“Rincon de Los Esteros, with its striking architecture and beautifully maintained grounds, dispels common misconceptions about affordable housing. ‘Not in my backyard’ becomes, ‘Where do I sign up?’” Orberdorfer said about the project and the award.
In August the City of Morgan Hill won its own national award for excellence in design from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for the design and development of Villa Ciolino, an affordable housing development project behind Albertson’s Market at Monterey Road and West Dunne Avenue.
First Community Housing plans to “get the word out” to potential residents of Murphy Ranch, Powell said. “We are already collecting names and will be sending flyers to schools, the fire and police stations,” she said. “There is no favoritism; nor do we want to rent to one particular group.
The development was named “Murphy Ranch” after an original settling family. Martin Murphy Sr. and his several children located in the area in 1845, a year after successfully crossing the Sierras near Truckee. Martin Murphy’s granddaughter, Dianna Murphy, married Hiram Morgan Hill after whom the town is named.
carolh@morganhilltimes.com
Carol Holzgrafe is a reporter at the Morgan Hill Times. She covers all local news, including City Hall.