11/09/2021 - Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes November 9, 2021
Committee
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
9:00 AM
Main Library - Council Chambers
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
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City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes November 9, 2021
Committee
Roll Call
Present: 8 - Acting Chair Kevin Chinault, Committee Member Kathleen Beckman,
Committee Member Gaby Camacho, Committee Member Pierre
Cournoyer, Committee Member Lindsay Dicus-Harrison, Committee
Member Linda Kemp, Committee Member Carmen Santiago and
Committee Member Peter Scalia
Absent: 3 - Chair Camille Hebting, Committee Member Michael Boutzoukas and
Committee Member Jacqueline Rivera
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 Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Main Library.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the October 12, 2021 AHAC Meeting Minutes
Member Cournoyer moved to approve minutes of the October 12, 2021
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 Discuss updates to the City of Clearwater's Local Housing Incentive Strategy Report
Assistant Economic Development & Housing Director Chuck Lane
reviewed committee recommended edits to the draft report. He discussed
uses for each City-owned property submitted by a member. Staff will review
each City-owned property for affordable housing development potential and
post an updated list of suitable properties next Spring.
It was commented that the City Council had adopted Greenprint which
promoted increased green space. A list of residential and IRT(Industrial,
Research and Technology) zoned lots and the cost to waive all fees for one
year for new affordable housing were requested. It was suggested IRT
properties near jobs and public transit be considered for affordable housing.
Concerns were expressed that City properties were too small for developing
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City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes November 9, 2021
Committee
20 - 30 units and many developers were unfamiliar with City affordable
housing incentives.
Mr. Lane said the City does not buy large tracks of land for future use.
Member Comments: 1) Construct infill affordable housing, 2) City should be
aggressive, adopt successful strategies other municipalities use to increase
affordable/workforce housing and work toward goal of leadership in field,
3) Post City progress on affordable/workforce housing development on the
website; 4) Invite private sector developers to City-hosted affordable housing
symposium with all departments presenting incentive information, 5) Present
potential uses for North Greenwood property to neighborhood residents
when seeking input, 6) Cancel tree replacement fee or reduce it for a limited
time to attract developers, especially for hard to develop properties, 7)
Incentivize desired development with reduced or waived fees, 8) Recognize/
support City Greenprint 2030 goals when planning affordable housing
construction, including solar energy and reduced energy costs for low-
income residents and incentivize developers to adopt Greenprint goals by
subsidizing added costs; 9) Award extra points for green, sustainable
construction methods in RFPs for multifamily projects, and 10) Highlight
Greenprint goals during next year's Committee meetings.
In response to questions, Mr. Lane reviewed planned affordable/workforce
housing projects. A consultant will be contracted to oversee creation of
the North Greenwood CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
Mr. Lane said the report recommended reducing fees. The Parks &
Recreation Department assistant director will recommend a waiver of Parks
& Recreation impact fees for affordable housing construction and possibly a
limited time waiver for North Greenwood CRA construction. Staff needed to
certify that projects meet affordable housing standards. The cost of impact
and permit fees could be written down if the City has sufficient funds.
Mr. Lane said NAHAB (Neighborhood &Affordable Housing Advisory
Board) will review: 1) list of properties available for affordable/workforce
housing development, 2) draft policy for fair disposal of City-owned lots
suitable for single-family residences, and 3) Greenprint 2030 goals with the
City's sustainability coordinator.
Mr. Lane said staff will try to drive traffic to the City's website and reach out
to minority developers. Multifamily projects go through the RFP (Request
for Proposals) process which considers transportation and project merits, not
just price. He expressed concern that requiring energy reduction methods
could disincentivize development due to high associated costs. He will talk
with Amplify Clearwater re its support of affordable housing.
Consensus was to modify density incentives for affordable housing
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City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee
5. Adjourn
Meeting Minutes November 9, 2021
construction, support an equitable process to dispose of City -owned lots for
single-family residences, and aid affordable housing developers obtain
properties encumbered with high City liens.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
IL."' e
Chair - Affordable Ho sing Advisory Committee
City of Clearwater
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