11/16/2020 - Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes November 16, 2020
Committee
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 16, 2020
3:00 PM
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes November 16, 2020
Committee
Roll Call
Present: 7 - Kathleen Beckman, Kevin Chinault, Pierre Cournoyer, Peggy
Cutkomp, Camille Hebting, Jacqueline Rivera and Peter Scalia
Absent: 4 - Michael Boutzoukas, Gabby Camacho, Linda Kemp and Carmen
Santiago
Also Present - Denise Sanderson — Economic Development & Housing Director, Chuck
Lane — Economic Development & Housing Assistant Director, Patricia
O. Sullivan — Board Reporter
1. Call To Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:00 p.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
Economic Development & Housing Assistant Director Chuck Lane
discussed the countywide Affordable Housing Tactical Team's compact
draft addressing affordable housing issues on a countywide basis. A
MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) was being prepared. He and
Planning & Development Director Gina Clayton will continue to serve on
the team.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve meeting minutes from the October 13, 2020 Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee Meeting
Member Beckman moved to approve minutes of the October 13,
2020 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meeting as
submitted in written summation. The motion was duly seconded
and carried unanimously.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda: None.
4. New Business
4.1 Presentation and Committee Discussion of Local Housing Incentive Strategies
Wade Trim consultant Amanda Warner provided a PowerPoint review of
committee input re Local Housing Incentive Strategies at the October 13,
2020 meeting. With Ms. Warner's assistance, the Committee discussed
and approved proposed modifications to City strategies.
In response to questions, Mr. Lane reviewed staff efforts and City affordable
housing successes. Most City foreclosures occur in low income
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City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee
5. Adjourn
Meeting Minutes November 16, 2020
neighborhoods. Staff will review its list of City and CRA (Community
Redevelopment Agency) owned vacant land for appropriate affordable
housing sites. The City planned to increase its down payment assistance.
Ms. Clayton discussed the City's electronic system which provides updates
to developers on the status of their plans. The majority of Clearwater's
housing is suburban. The Code does not permit ADUs (Attached Dwelling
Units) but the next Comp Plan could consider increased density and ADUs.
Concerns were expressed that many Pinellas County workers cannot afford
to live here and building and financing affordable housing was complicated,
needing additional incentives and encouragement, especially for smaller
developers. It was suggested the City assist affordable housing
development by reducing, modifying, or waiving impact and permitting fees
and reducing parking requirements. Support was expressed for tiny homes,
rebranding affordable housing as workforce housing, developing former
church properties with affordable housing, promoting affordable housing as
mixed-use development to provide residents shopping choices, encouraging
home ownership through rent to own programs, and a marketing campaign
that commits the City to constructing affordable housing, increasing diversity,
and educating residents on the benefits of affordable housing in their
neighborhoods. It was suggested doctoral students could create low cost
videos highlighting the advantages of workforce housing.
It was stated that government regulations and rules should be rewritten to
be easily understood. It was suggested that mentors could help guide the
construction of affordable housing by smaller developers. It was stated that
residents could help with lobbying efforts on behalf of affordable housing.
At its last meeting of the year on December 15, 2020, the Committee will
approve the final report which will be submitted for City Council approval
and then presented to the FHFC (Florida Housing Finance Corporation)
to incorporate the changes into the City's Local Housing Incentive
Strategies.
The meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater