10/28/2008NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 28, 2008
Present: Donald F. Brackett
Kip Corriveau
Jordan Behar
Laurel Braswell
Peggy M. Cutkomp
Samuel Davis
Peter Leach
Nick Pavonetti
Vacant Seat
Absent:
Josephine Carbone
Lisa Hughes
Chair
Vice-Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Jim Donnelly Assistant Director of Econ. Dev./Housing
Michael Holmes Housing Manager
Terry Malcolm-Smith Housing Coordinator
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
3. Approve Minutes from: July 8, 2008 & October 14, 2008
Member Braswell moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 8, 2008,
as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and
carried unanimously.
Member Cutkomp moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 14,
2008, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
4. Local Housing Strategy: Wade Trim - Jose Fernandez & Amanda Warner
4.1 Review of the Proposed Affordable Housing Vision for the City
Jose Fernandez and Amanda Warner of Wade Trim facilitated discussion regarding an
Affordable Housing Vision Statement that was derived from input from board members at
previous meetings. Discussion ensued regarding the Vision Statement, with comments that it
should showcase the type of housing the City wants in the future, and that affordable housing is
about people, not just housing. It was felt that affordable housing should be energy efficient,
sustainable, well-designed, and support a diverse community.
Board members agreed on the following Vision Statement: "The City of Clearwater will
encourage the development of a diverse supply of housing that is safe, affordable, sustainable,
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and well-designed, blends into the character of the City's neighborhoods, and supports a
diverse inclusive community."
It was noted that the Vision Statement could be refined prior to presenting the final report
to Council in December.
4.2 Review of the Proposed Affordable Housing Principles for the City
Discussion ensued regarding affordable housing principles. Ms. Warner reviewed the
characteristics and qualities of affordable housing that were previously discussed. She said
reviewed the reasons why affordable housing should be valued into three categories: 1) It
supports a dynamic and competitive economy by generating local jobs, capitalizing on existing
urban areas through infill/redevelopment, utilizing empty properties/incomplete projects, and
increasing the ability to compete with other cities by providing live/work opportunities within the
City limits; 2) To improve social well-being and ensure community stability by providing
opportunities for employment and housing assistance, developing an understandable process
for achieving housing, motivating and educating individuals regarding homeownership; and 3)
Ensure that the City's workforce can live within the City by retaining employees for police, fire,
and other services, reducing commute distances, reducing crime ("Empty city" phenomenon),
and restoring a sense of identity and pride in the community.
It was felt that affordable housing needs to be attainable for teachers, police, firefighters,
etc., should be pedestrian-oriented, near transit and employment centers, and that
consideration be given to listing some of the components that make affordable housing
sustainable. A remark was made that the elderly population generally does not need to be near
employment centers. It was remarked that HUD (Housing and Urban Development)
discourages the concentration of areas with all lower income residents. It was felt that current
income limitations are no longer affordable and need to be updated by HUD. It was questioned
if the affordable housing report should reference affordable housing programs that are tailored
to specific income levels. It was felt that redevelopment that eliminates blight could be
considered during review of the strategies for affordable housing. Mr. Fernandez said that
including income limitations as an affordable housing policy requires periodic changes/updates.
The board agreed upon the following principles: 1) Affordable housing is attainable,
diverse, and provides for a mix of income levels and uses; 2) Affordable housing is safe and in
character with the surrounding neighborhood; 3) Affordable housing is well-designed and barrier
free; 4) Affordable housing is pedestrian-oriented and located near employment and
transportation; 5) Affordable housing is maintainable; 6) Affordable housing is flexible; and 7)
Affordable housing is long-term (long-term affordability).
4.3 Review of the Proposed Strategies
Discussion ensued regarding affordable housing strategies with comments that an
inventory of publicly-owned land is needed in order to identify parcels that could be considered
for affordable housing projects in the City, that costs affect the ability to assemble land, that
costs related to green space, etc. greatly affect affordable housing projects, especially surface
parking. It was remarked that minimum design standards are dictated by Code.
Discussion ensued with comments that activity centers need to be defined in the Code
and policies created to promote affordable housing around those activity centers. It was
suggested that the Comprehensive Plan be reviewed to identify and eliminate barriers, if any, to
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affordable housing. It was felt the specific barriers, such as setbacks, density, parking,
stormwater retention, building materials, extensive landscaping, etc. are in the Land
Development Code. It was remarked that impact fees and concurrency requirements greatly
affect affordable housing. It was remarked that the Code provides that applications for projects
that require flexibility also require additional review by the Community Development Board, etc.,
however the process takes longer and is more expensive than a standard application. It was
remarked that it is costly to submit costly civil engineering plans as part of the initial review
process and is unnecessary until after the project's density is approved.
The board agreed on the following affordable housing strategies: 1) Identify the
availability of sites for the development of affordable housing; 2) Amend the Comprehensive
Plan to ensure a policy framework that supports the development of affordable housing; 3)
Amend the Land Development regulations to provide incentives for, and remove barriers to, the
provision of affordable housing; 4) Improve current communication channels and marketing
materials to reach different stakeholders interested in affordable housing; 5) Improve the
development review and permitting process to provide specific steps and incentives for the
provision of affordable housing; 6) Ensure concurrency of infrastructure capacity and affordable
housing supply; 7) Diversify financial strategies to contribute to the new construction and
maintenance of affordable housing; and 8) Develop public and private partnerships for the
provision of affordable housing.
It was felt that the application process needs to be improved, that one staff member or a
"one-stop" system be implemented to ensure applications proceed smoothly through the
permitting and review process, and that a checklist of requirements should be provided to
applicants. Mr. Fernandez said some communities authorize their planning staff to approve
affordable housing projects up to a specific number of units instead of moving the application on
to their Community Development boards.
4.4 Any other open discussion items
5. Comments
6. New/Old Business
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7. Next Meeting: November 19, 2008 0- 6:00 p.m.
Mr. Fernandez reminded everyone that the Wednesday, November 19, 2008 meeting is
a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. He requested that board members e-mail
additional comments/suggestions to him prior to the next meeting. He said a draft of all the
discussion and elements will be incorporated into the final report to City Council would be
provided to the board for review.
8. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Chair, Neighborhood & Affordable
Housing Advisory Board
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