C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Regular Meeting - Thursday, March 2, 2023 - 4:00 p.m.
City Hall - Second Floor Conference Room, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order by Chairperson KeAndrea Davis at 4:29PM
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
Roll Called by Brittany Marinello.
4.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than five (5) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than five (5) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
6.
OLD BUSINESS
No new business
7.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Review of Sunshine Laws with City Attorney
Sunshine Law presentation by Assistant City Attorney, Sara Hedges.
8.
COMMITTEE AND STAFF DISCUSSION
a.
Discuss training videos: https://flhousing.org/ahac-trainings/.
Video 1 - Expedited Process Development Approvals
Video 2 - Ongoing Regulatory Review Process
Video 1 - Expedited Process Development Approvals
Video 2 - Ongoing Regulatory Review Process
KeAndrea Davis confirmed that everyone watched the videos and asked "What is the definition of affordable housing? What are the numbers for the formula?"
Caleta states that the formula number changes, and it could be defined in the ordinance somewhat.
Phil stated that it is a good place to start is the ordinance.
Leslie asked "How do we know it is affordable? And how does Staff know that the housing is going to be affordable in the future." She mentioned that the funding through the state generally get that funding. Funding through the state and doesn’t tie up the time. The city must designate someone to chase that information down.
Caleta asked "what does that process look like already? What does that look like for this specifically?" Is this something that we point out in the LHAP or the AHAC report?
KeAndrea asked what the process looks like now.
Bridget stated that permits come from building dept, and it is flagged as expedited. Normally within 7–10 days for expedited process, oth
KeAndrea Davis asked about the current affordable housing projects?
Bridget Romer answered that there is one affordable housing projects coming - Blue Sky behind Walmart. Difficult to expedite with infrastructure even if at the local level
Phil Thompson stated that workforce housing makes more sense because gives developers more incentives
KeAndrea Davis asked is our role to provide the incentive to the developer. And what is the difference between Affordable Housing and Workforce Housing.
Brittany Marinello explained the difference between Affordable Housing vs Workforce Housing according to SHIP. Directed AHAC to the previous AHAC report.
Discussion on what is affordable.
William Talley asked if SHIP already has a calculation.
Brittany Marinello clarified that the calculation changes based on what HUD says every year.
Caleta Scott confirmed that the AHAC received the current LHAP. Stated that it is important to differentiate what is affordable and isn't
Leslie Olson agrees and ask how would building know it is affordable housing? If there is no definition, how would a developer know? Creating a definition would be a good recommendation.
Phil asked does it go through the DPCR process?
Bridget answered Yes, but it is a lengthy process it is supposed to be 30 days normally, then expedited to 15 days.
William Talley asked what part is expedited?
Phil Thompson stated that it can take up to 3 months to get through the process.
William Talley asked if the City of Fort Pierce have a Business Relationship Liaison.
Many stated that Shyanne Harnage is that liaison.
William Talley referred to Port St Lucie's business liaison. Maybe getting a business navigator (like a Shyanne) to get everyone at the table.
KeAndrea Davis stated the video used Port St Lucie as an example of using planning staff or building official that can walk everyone through the process. Also mentioned the example of a yellow band on the application.
Leslie Olson stated that all the examples were of all big cities, included Port St Lucie. It would be hard for Fort Pierce because we are smaller.
Caleta Scott suggested that adding a task to someone who already is working in this field
Phil Thompson wanted to clarify that it depends on if we are speaking about houses or developments, that makes a difference in what is discussed. The size of the units or property does matter.
Caleta Scott stated that we should also think of private landowners and how do we be aware of those projects
Leslie Olson states that Have to start with the definition regardless of the area
Phil Thompson mentioned the cost factor of developing, that everything is up 20%-25% (inflation)
William Talley stated that there needs to be a subsidy component to it. What is the definition of affordable? What is the definition of the qualification of the process to meet that definition (to get expedited)?
KeAndrea Davis asked what are we suggesting to the Commission to attract developers to build affordable housing?
Phil Thompson stated that if not economically feasible, then why even expedite it or build it
William Talley asked if we could use the BlueSky as a case study.
Bridget Romer stated that everyone is a part of the project (all hands on deck).
Leslie asked if it is tracked how long it takes to go through the process. In house system to see how long this process works (so we can track and develop indicators).
Caleta Scott stated the recommendation be to keep expedited permitting but have a navigator person to assist with the process.
Many agreed that it was one piece of it.
KeAndrea Davis asked if this is part of he 11 things that must be submitted
William Talley stated we can submit but do not have to change it.
Leslie Olson stated that hte low-hanging fruit is can we get a definition of affordable housing in the Code.
Caleta Scott asked do we change the LHAP and be able to define the affordable housing locally. Code does not have a definition of affordable housing. Want it to include workforce, affordable, obtainable housing.
Leslie agrees that the definition should have all of those definitions.
William Talley asked Leslie Olson if it is easier to reference AHAC in the Code.
Leslie Olson stated that it was not in best practice.
KeAndrea Davis asked about Ongoing Review Process
Leslie Olson asked if the City has something that has a checklist of which initiative
Caleta Scott mentioned a form that states what type of initiative
KeAndrea Davis stated we can recommend it.
Leslie Olson asked Bridget if there is a form. Bridget indicated no. Leslie continued to recommend housing impact statement form. Would not necessarily know how would you know how much the cost of the house is going to increase.
Leslie Olson mentioned the future topics that will be discussed and asked if she could share information with the group regarding the topics coming up.
KeAndrea Davis stated that we can discuss the topics at the next meeting.
Caleta states that the formula number changes, and it could be defined in the ordinance somewhat.
Phil stated that it is a good place to start is the ordinance.
Leslie asked "How do we know it is affordable? And how does Staff know that the housing is going to be affordable in the future." She mentioned that the funding through the state generally get that funding. Funding through the state and doesn’t tie up the time. The city must designate someone to chase that information down.
Caleta asked "what does that process look like already? What does that look like for this specifically?" Is this something that we point out in the LHAP or the AHAC report?
KeAndrea asked what the process looks like now.
Bridget stated that permits come from building dept, and it is flagged as expedited. Normally within 7–10 days for expedited process, oth
KeAndrea Davis asked about the current affordable housing projects?
Bridget Romer answered that there is one affordable housing projects coming - Blue Sky behind Walmart. Difficult to expedite with infrastructure even if at the local level
Phil Thompson stated that workforce housing makes more sense because gives developers more incentives
KeAndrea Davis asked is our role to provide the incentive to the developer. And what is the difference between Affordable Housing and Workforce Housing.
Brittany Marinello explained the difference between Affordable Housing vs Workforce Housing according to SHIP. Directed AHAC to the previous AHAC report.
Discussion on what is affordable.
William Talley asked if SHIP already has a calculation.
Brittany Marinello clarified that the calculation changes based on what HUD says every year.
Caleta Scott confirmed that the AHAC received the current LHAP. Stated that it is important to differentiate what is affordable and isn't
Leslie Olson agrees and ask how would building know it is affordable housing? If there is no definition, how would a developer know? Creating a definition would be a good recommendation.
Phil asked does it go through the DPCR process?
Bridget answered Yes, but it is a lengthy process it is supposed to be 30 days normally, then expedited to 15 days.
William Talley asked what part is expedited?
Phil Thompson stated that it can take up to 3 months to get through the process.
William Talley asked if the City of Fort Pierce have a Business Relationship Liaison.
Many stated that Shyanne Harnage is that liaison.
William Talley referred to Port St Lucie's business liaison. Maybe getting a business navigator (like a Shyanne) to get everyone at the table.
KeAndrea Davis stated the video used Port St Lucie as an example of using planning staff or building official that can walk everyone through the process. Also mentioned the example of a yellow band on the application.
Leslie Olson stated that all the examples were of all big cities, included Port St Lucie. It would be hard for Fort Pierce because we are smaller.
Caleta Scott suggested that adding a task to someone who already is working in this field
Phil Thompson wanted to clarify that it depends on if we are speaking about houses or developments, that makes a difference in what is discussed. The size of the units or property does matter.
Caleta Scott stated that we should also think of private landowners and how do we be aware of those projects
Leslie Olson states that Have to start with the definition regardless of the area
Phil Thompson mentioned the cost factor of developing, that everything is up 20%-25% (inflation)
William Talley stated that there needs to be a subsidy component to it. What is the definition of affordable? What is the definition of the qualification of the process to meet that definition (to get expedited)?
KeAndrea Davis asked what are we suggesting to the Commission to attract developers to build affordable housing?
Phil Thompson stated that if not economically feasible, then why even expedite it or build it
William Talley asked if we could use the BlueSky as a case study.
Bridget Romer stated that everyone is a part of the project (all hands on deck).
Leslie asked if it is tracked how long it takes to go through the process. In house system to see how long this process works (so we can track and develop indicators).
Caleta Scott stated the recommendation be to keep expedited permitting but have a navigator person to assist with the process.
Many agreed that it was one piece of it.
KeAndrea Davis asked if this is part of he 11 things that must be submitted
William Talley stated we can submit but do not have to change it.
Leslie Olson stated that hte low-hanging fruit is can we get a definition of affordable housing in the Code.
Caleta Scott asked do we change the LHAP and be able to define the affordable housing locally. Code does not have a definition of affordable housing. Want it to include workforce, affordable, obtainable housing.
Leslie agrees that the definition should have all of those definitions.
William Talley asked Leslie Olson if it is easier to reference AHAC in the Code.
Leslie Olson stated that it was not in best practice.
KeAndrea Davis asked about Ongoing Review Process
Leslie Olson asked if the City has something that has a checklist of which initiative
Caleta Scott mentioned a form that states what type of initiative
KeAndrea Davis stated we can recommend it.
Leslie Olson asked Bridget if there is a form. Bridget indicated no. Leslie continued to recommend housing impact statement form. Would not necessarily know how would you know how much the cost of the house is going to increase.
Leslie Olson mentioned the future topics that will be discussed and asked if she could share information with the group regarding the topics coming up.
KeAndrea Davis stated that we can discuss the topics at the next meeting.
9.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 5:45PM
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the City Clerk’s Office at (772) 467-3065 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.