Title
Resolution to adopt recommendations and amend the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) (B)
This item requests the City Commission adopt a Resolution amending the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2008-2009/2009-2010/2010-2011 to incorporate certain affordable housing recommendations made by the City SHIP Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) in their Incentive Review and Recommendation Report that was accepted by the City Commission on December 18, 2008 and further discussed with the SHIP AHAC on February 19, 2009.
Explanation
The City Commission received and accepted the SHIP AHAC's Incentives and Recommendations Report (Report) on December 18, 2008, and further discussed the report with the SHIP AHAC on February 19, 2009. The City Commission must adopt a resolution to amend the City's LHAP to incorporate the local housing incentive strategies it will implement as required by Florida Statutes. The incentive recommendations must be incorporated in the LHAP and adopted by resolution by the City Commission by March 31, 2009.
The SHIP AHAC's main purpose is to triennially review and evaluate established policies, procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, the adopted comprehensive plan, and eleven affordable housing incentives, and to recommend actions or initiatives to the local governing body to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of property to appreciate in value. At the February 19, 2009 City Commission Meeting, the City Commission considered all of the recommendations outlined in the Report and approved the items noted as "Approved" below:
1. The processing of approvals of development orders or permits, as defined in s. 163.3164 (7) and (8), for affordable housing projects is expedited to a greater degree than other projects; (Approved)
2. The modification of impact-fee requirements, including reduction or waiver of fees and alternative methods of fee payment for affordable housing;
3. The allowance of flexibility in densities for affordable housing;
4. The reservation of infrastructure capacity for housing for very-low-income persons, low-income persons, and moderate-income persons;
5. The allowance of affordable accessory residential units in residential zoning districts;
6. The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable housing;
7. The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including zero-lot-line configurations for affordable housing;
8. The modification of street requirements for affordable housing;
9. The establishment of a process by which a local government considers, before adoption, policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that increase the cost of housing; (Approved)
10. The preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public lands suitable for affordable housing; and
11. The support of development near transportation hubs and major employment centers and mixed-use developments. (Approved)
As requested by the City Commission and at the request of the SHIP AHAC , the City Commission considered additional recommendations in the Report and approved the items noted as "Approved" below:
12. Other Affordable Housing Incentives:
Energy Efficiency; (Approved)
SHIP Staff Support; (Approved)
Property Taxes and Insurance;
Community Land Trust; and
Mobile Homes.
The remaining affordable housing incentives were approved for further study. The City Commission approved for the SHIP AHAC to host affordable housing workshops to conduct on-going study of ways to improve affordable housing opportunities in our community, and to recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate it value. The housing workshops and forums will include topics on the housing incentives such as:
Reduced Impact Fees
Flexible Densities
Reservation of Infrastructure Capacity
Accessory Dwelling Units
Reduced Parking & Setback
Flexible Lot Configurations
Modified Street Requirements
Community Land Trusts
Inclusionary Zoning
Weatherization Programs
Attached for reference is a copy of the SHIP AHAC Incentive and Recommendation Report, SHIP AHAC Recommendation Summary, SHIP AHAC Recommendations as approved by the City Commission on February 19, 2009 and Amended LHAP Resolution. The LHAP includes an Incentive Strategy section. It is required to include the SHIP AHAC's recommendations accepted by the City Commission in the Incentive Strategy section of the LHAP by amendment. The City must submit the amended LHAP to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation by May 2, 2009.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
The City Commission adopt the resolution accepting the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Incentive and Recommendation Report, approving certain affordable housing incentive recommendations of the SHIP AHAC and amending the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2008-2009/2009-2010/2010-2011 to include the approved recommendations of the SHIP AHAC.