09-09
RESOLUTION NO. 09-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES
PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) LOCAL HOUSING
ASSISTANCE PLAN COVERING STATE FISCAL
YEARS 2006-2009, ADDING NEW INCENTIVES
AND AMENDING CURRENT INCENTIVES TO
FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS OF FLORIDA
STATUTE 420.9076; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the CITY OF CLEARWATER AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ("A HAC") has met its statutory and organizational
assignments by preparing a Local Housing Incentive Strategy Report recommending
incentive strategies to promote affordable housing in accordance with F.S.
420.9076; and
WHEREAS, AHAC has reviewed and approved the local housing incentive
strategies recommendations and reviewed the local government's implementation of
previously recommended strategies by affirmative vote at a public hearing held on
November 19, 2008; and
WHEREAS, the City Council is required by F.S. 420.9076 to adopt an
amendment to the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan by Resolution to incorporate
at a minimum, incentives for expedited permitting for affordable housing to a greater
degree than other projects, and an ongoing review process for local policies,
ordinances, regulations and plan provisions that increase the cost of housing, and
other recommended incentives they wish to adopt; and
WHEREAS, a list of incentives recommended by AHAC for adoption and
inclusion within the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan by City Council is attached
hereto as Exhibit "A".
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The City of Clearwater hereby accepts and approves the
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE recommendations attached
hereto as Exhibit "A";
Section 2. The State FY 2006-2009 SHIP LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE
PLAN is hereby amended to include said recommendations;
Section 3. Upon adoption, this Resolution and SHIP Local Housing
Assistance Plan amendment shall be forwarded to the Florida Housing Finance
Corporation for review and approval as required by Florida Statute 420.9076; and
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th
day of March
,2009.
J-~ p(~
Frank V. Hibbard
Mayor
Approved as to form:
Attest:
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Laura Mahony j
Assistant City Attorney
!kJ..ynthi
V ....ity Clerk
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Resolution No. 09-09
Exhibit "A"
The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee has recommended the following
incentives:
Incentive No.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.
The Planning Department already expedites the review process for any site plan,
land use amendment, rezoning, or annexation application for an affordable
housing project within the City of Clearwater. Some affordable housing projects
(rehabilitation or new construction) are approved administratively; otherwise the
project goes to the immediate next session of the Community Development
Board.
For Building Permit Applications, the City has a "Request for Expedited Permit
Processing for Affordable Housing Activity" available through the Economic
Development and Housing Department. This form allows the application to be
expedited through the review process.
Incentive No.2:
The allowance of flexibility in densities for affordable housing.
The City encourages flexible densities for affordable housing developments in
both the Future Land Use Element and the Housing Element of the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
The following policy in the Future Land Use Element allows for flexible densities:
"Policy A.2.2. 7- The City will provide for density bonuses for affordable housing
developments that demonstrate that a minimum of 15% of the total units are
reserved as affordable housing units. Such bonuses shall not exceed 50% of the
density permitted by the Future Land Use Map and shall not include properties
located in the Coastal Storm Area. The density bonus shall be established by
ordinance in the Community Development Code".
The same policy applies to Housing Element as policy C.9.1:
Policy C.1.9.1- The City will provide density bonuses for affordable housing
developments that demonstrate that a minimum of 15% of the total units are
reserved as affordable housing units. Such bonuses shall not exceed 50% of the
density permitted by the Future Land Use Map and shall not include properties
located in the Coastal Storm Area. The density bonus shall be established by
ordinance in the Community Development Code."
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Resolution No. 09-09
The City grants flexibility in densities to developers through the City's Community
Development Code, which establishes flexibility criteria for specific uses requiring
additional development review. Such uses fall into two categories: flexible
standard development and flexible development.
Incentive No.3:
The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable housing
The City encourages the reduction of parking and setback requirements for
affordable housing in the Housing Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan.
The following policy in the Housing Element supports the reduction of parking
and setback requirements for affordable housing.
"Policy C.1.9.2 - Allow flexibility with regard to setbacks and off-street parking to
accommodate density bonuses associated with affordable housing developments
provided the project design does not detract from the established or emerging
character of immediate vicinity."
"Policy C.1.9.3 - Allow flexibility with regard to off-street parking for projects
containing affordable housing units located within 1,000 feet of a transit stop."
The City currently allows flexibility in parking and setback requirements for
affordable housing through the City's Community Development Code, which
establishes flexibility criteria for specific uses requiring additional development
review.
Incentive No.4:
The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including zero-lot-line
configuration for affordable housing.
The City currently allows for site plan flexibility through the development review
process, as supported by the City's Community Development Code, which
establishes flexibility criteria for specific uses requiring additional development
review.
Such criteria may allow for more flexible site plan configurations, but may also
require an improved site plan to document how the flexibility will result in better
design and lor appearance. For example, the flexibility criteria tied to residential
infill projects within the High Density Residential ("HORn) District include:
"Article 2, Section 2-504 (F.6) The design of the proposed residential infill project
creates a form and function which enhances the community character of the
immediate vicinity of the parcel proposed for development and the City of
Clearwater as a whole; (F.7) Flexibility in regard to lot width, required setbacks,
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Resolution No. 09-09
height and off-street parking are justified by the benefits to community character
and the immediate vicinity of the parcel proposed for development and the City of
Clearwater as a whole.
Incentive No.5:
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.
The City has a process in place by which it considers, before adoption, policies,
procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that increase the cost of
housing. The City will also create an internal policy to this effect.
Incentive No.6:
The preparation of a printed inventory of locally-owned public lands
suitable for affordable housing.
The City maintains an inventory of locally-owned public lands suitable for
affordable housing.
Incentive No.7:
The support of development near transportation hubs, and major
employment centers and mixed-use developments.
The Future Land Use Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan supports the
location of residential uses within "mass transit and neighborhood-serving land
uses" and near transit lines:
Policy A.2.2.2 - Residential land uses shall be appropriately located on local and
minor collector streets; if appropriately buffered; they may be located on major
collector and arterial streets. Residential land uses shall be sited on well-drained
soils, in proximity to parks, schools, mass transit and other neighborhood-serving
land uses."
Policy A.6.8.7 - Create mixed-use, higher density and livable communities
through design and layout, near existing transit lines as well as proposed
TBART A lines and stations. Also support walkability concepts near projected
TBART A stations.
In addition, the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan states"
"Policy C.1.4.2 - Assisted housing should be located in close proximity to
employment centers, mass transit services, parks, and commercial centers."
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Resolution No. 09-09