Title
Infill Housing-Porters Gardens Development (NB)
This item proposes to sell five new single-family detached homes to income-eligible first-time homebuyers.
Explanation
At the November 13, 2000 City Commission Meeting, the City Commission: 1) approved the acquisition of Southwest 8th Avenue (Tax parcel #13317-000-000); 2) approved the purchase price of $45,000 plus closing costs to effect the sale; 3) authorized the City Manager or his designee to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement and other relevant documents necessary to complete the acquisition of the property; 4) accepted the Special Warranty Deed from Gene Robinson, as required to effect the conveyance of the property, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; and 5) approved the Housing Division developing this property as affordable housing. Additionally, at the September 11, 2006 City Commission Meeting, the City Commission approved the Architect, Karson and Associates, Inc., to design houses, floor plans and the site for the Porters Gardens development (formerly Depot Gardens) in the Porters neighborhood.
The development of this property as affordable housing has proceeded in accordance with the new construction program strategy for in-fill housing and was funded with HOME Program funds. The Porters Garden development will provide five new houses of traditional Florida architecture, with one-and -a-half stories. The development is designed so as to be urban in character because of the urbanizing nature of the Depot Road corridor, and create an appropriate transition on the north side of the site so as to fit into the context of the existing, established Porters neighborhood. This development has the opportunity to reinforce the design character of the Depot Avenue corridor, provide a well-designed development that helps to stabilize and enhance the Porters neighborhood, and to provide affordable housing opportunities for income eligible first-time homebuyers. Two homes have been completed with pending sales contracts subject to approval of this agenda item; and the construction of the remaining three new homes are underway to complete the development of this project.
Fiscal Note
The funds for development of this project are budgeted in the Housing and Community Development's HOME Program budget.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) declare the properties located at 311 SW 8th Avenue, 303 SW 8th Avenue
840 SW 3rd Street, 316 SW Depot Avenue and 317 SW 8th Avenue as surplus properties; 2) authorize the sale of the 5 new homes at market value to income eligible homebuyers to be identified at a future date; 4) authorize the Housing and Community Development Division to provide the grants and/or subsidies required to make the purchase of the properties affordable for income eligible homebuyers to be identified at a later date; 5) authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the required purchase and sale agreements, grant or subsidy agreements and any other certifications or assurances required to transfer ownership to the homebuyers that will be identified at a later date; 6) authorize the Mayor and Clerk of the Commission to execute the warranty deeds required to transfer titles to the homebuyers that will be identified at a later date; and 7) authorize the Housing and Community Development Division to use standard program subsidies and purchase and sale documents to consummate the transactions, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.