09/12/2023 - Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes September 12, 2023
Committee
City of Clearwater
Main Library- Council Chambers
100 N. Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33755
m
ap
® e
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
9:00 AM
Clearwater East Community Library - 2465 Drew St, Clearwater,
FL 33765 - Program Room
Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Page 1
City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes September 12, 2023
Committee
Roll Call
Present (9) - Chair Kevin Chinault, Committee Member Kathleen Beckman,
Committee Member Linda Byars, Committee Member Robyn Fiel, Committee
Member David Harder, Committee Member Camille Hebting, Committee Member
Lindsay Dicus-Harrison, Committee Member Bruce Rector, and Committee Member
Jacqueline Rivera.
Absent (2): Committee Member Carmen Santiago and Committee Member Pierre
Cournoyer
Also Present: Chuck Lane - Economic Development & Housing Assistant Director;
Terry Malcolm-Smith - Economic Development & Housing Program Administrator,
Gina Clayton — Planning & Development Director, Lauren Matzke — Planning &
Development Assistant Director, Amanda Warner— Wade Trim, Planner, Connor
Baird — Wade Trim, Planner, and Rosemarie Call — City Clerk.
1. Call to Order— Chair Chinault
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.
2. New Business
2.1 Wade Trim to lead a discussion for the first meeting of the 2023 Affordable Housing
Advisory Committee.
Wade Trim to lead a discussion for the first meeting of the 2023 Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee.
Ms. Warner provided a PowerPoint presentation.
In response to a question, Economic Development and Housing Assistant
Director Chuck Lane said meeting schedule "Option A" will keep the
Committee on its traditional schedule.
Discussion ensued with support expressed to not extend the length of the
second meeting.
Committee Member Rivera moved to approve the "Option B" meeting
schedule (September 12, October 3, October 24, and the public hearing
on November 14). The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Discussion ensued regarding the value statements included in the 2022
Local Housing Incentive Strategy(LHIS) report with concerns expressed that
ensuring the ability of the City's workforce to live within city limits may not be
Page 2
City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory Meeting Minutes September 12, 2023
Committee
achievable. There was consensus to amend value statement "C" to read as
follows: 'Aspires to have housing that fits the City's workforce," and value
statement "D" (Everyone deserves a safe affordable home.)
There was consensus to keep the principle statements as written.
In response to a question, Ms. Warner said the principle statements are not
recommendations but the Committee's overall beliefs on affordable housing.
She said staff will be tasked with implementing the recommended incentives
outlined in the LHIS.
Discussion ensued regarding the vision statement. There was consensus to
amend the vision statement as follows, "...a diverse supply of housing that is
safe, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and energy and cost efficient..."
In response to questions, Mr. Lane said the Live Local Act would expand the
types of properties to be considered for the affordable housing inventory list.
Last year's list identified 8 parcels for housing development. This year's list
contains 31 parcels, with 11 development opportunities. He said the list is
updated every three years. The City does not own much in the Hercules
Avenue corridor that could be used for affordable housing. When identifying
city-owned lands that could be used for affordable housing, staff looks at
every parcel for its development potential. Properties that are zoned OSR
(open space recreation) would require a referendum if declared surplus. Mr.
Lane said, with the exception of one parcel, all are available for multi-family
development opportunities. Planning and Development Director Gina
Clayton said there are some parks that are zoned institutional. Mr. Lane said
the City is required to publish the housing inventory list on the city website.
Discussion ensued regarding the perceived barriers to affordable housing
and incentives to reduce barriers. Concerns were expressed that short term
rentals outside of the beach area have increased, taking affordable housing
off the market, that development and construction costs have increased,
impacting the price points for rental and for-sale housing, that interest rates
are becoming a barrier on the purchasing-side, and that increases in
property insurance and taxes are becoming barriers. A comment was made
that understanding why property owners choose to conduct short-term
rentals over long-term rentals may help identify potential incentives that may
provide some rental properties in the affordable housing arena.
Ms. Clayton said the City's proposed budget includes funding for a platform
that will assist staff with short term rental enforcements. Mr. Lane said it is
within the Committee's purview to provide recommendations on potential
incentives.
Staff was directed to provide information on how many homes in the city are
not owner-occupied and a cost comparison analysis of short-term versus
long-term rentals.
Page 3
City of Clearwater
Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee
Meeting Minutes September 12, 2023
Discussion ensued with comments made that workforce housing education is
needed to change NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) to YIMBY (Yes in My Back
Yard).
Ms. Warner said, prior to the next committee meeting, Committee Members
should review the 2022 LHIS report, evaluate the recommendations, and
consider if the recommendations should be modified, continued, or removed.
She said the Committee Members can also identify new affordable housing
incentives that are not covered in the report. The next meeting will be
October 3, 2023.
3. Citizens to be heard regarding items not on the agenda
Brian Beckman supported incentives that expedite the approval process to
develop a home and pay for small costs so that it is not passed on to the
home buyer.
4. Adjournment
Attest:
Beth Davis supported investing more of the City's tax revenue to subsidize
affordable housing.
Eliseo Santana said essential workers, many of whom are Hispanic, cannot
afford to live within city limits and that more education outreach on affordable
housing and public service programs is needed.
Jessica Martin questioned the City's foreclosure program and families
impacted by the foreclosures.
Mr. Lane said staff works with the homeowners to resolve issues before
reaching the point of foreclosure. The City also has a foreclosure program for
properties with code enforcement liens. The City works to repurpose
properties received under escheatment for affordable housing.
The meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m.
Chair, Affordable Housing Advisory
Committee
City of Clearwater
INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER
Citizen Comment Card
Name:
-7Dok
Address: ) I A( 00?
Z 1
City :apap voiel zip:
Telephone Number: "7)_:-.17v-,?, 3797
Email Address:
1'
til s
Speaking under citizens to be heard re
items not on the agenda? ❑
Agenda item(s) to which you wish to speak.
What is your position on the item? For Against