Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS

400 NW 73RD AVE

PLANTATION, FLORIDA 33317

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Michael Dutko Jr. at 4:36 p.m. Roll call was conducted by the clerk. A quorum was present.

Present: Jon Auerbach, Robbi Auerbach, Carl Buehler, Edwin Cordova, Toshia R. Drummond, Michael Dutko Jr., Mitchell Rosenstein, Mayor Nick Sortal.

Also Present: Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development (PZED) Director Dan Holmes; PZED Assistant Director Michael Alpert; City Attorney Kerri Ezrol; Redevelopment Administrator Glendon Hall; PZED Grant Administrator Edlyn Griffith; Councilmember Timothy Fadgen, and resident Maude Bruce.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

February 01, 2024 Meeting Minutes

Carl Buehler moved to approve the February 1, 2024, minutes as presented, seconded by Mayor Nick Sortal.

Motion passed: 8-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Tax Increment Financing

Redevelopment Administrator Glendon Hall provided an overview of Tax Increment Financing (TIF), a tool used to kickstart development in a district. He reviewed the definition and State Statute that outlines creation of a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), discussed example CRAs, as well as the definition for slum and blight, and the powers of and requirements of a CRA. He explained the opportunity to fund specific projects through bonds against future development and noted the Florida Redevelopment Association as a good source for more information and best practices.

Discussion ensued regarding the Plantation CRA and its current funding, CRA projects, funding sources, the impact of the CRA on developers, and the process for development in partnership with the CRA. PZED Director Dan Holmes provided additional clarification.

Edwin Cordova asked about a project in unincorporated Broward County. Redevelopment Administrator Hall advised that the City can only work to control what is in the City and pointed out an in-progress project in Plantation.

Redevelopment Administrator Hall highlighted the focus on owner-occupied units, and discussion continued regarding deed restrictions.

Mitchell Rosenstein referenced the Broward County Affordable Housing Master Plan and expiring TIF funds, and asked how that will impact the Plantation CRA. Redevelopment Administrator Hall advised that the Plantation CRA does not expire for another six (6) years, and stated they are developing a pipeline of projects that he believes they can get done and use as the basis to request an extension. Mr. Rosenstein asked that the Committee be kept informed of any opportunities to advocate on behalf of the CRA with the City and the County.

Toshia Drummond asked about pricing for the project on Peters Road. Redevelopment Administrator Hall stated the rates were still in negotiation.

Mr. Rosenstein inquired as to whether there was a formula for determining an affordable sales price for a unit, considering insurance and taxes. Redevelopment Administrator Hall responded that the CRA was leaving that calculation up to the expertise of the developer.

Mr. Cordova asked for clarification on how the development translates into affordable housing. Redevelopment Administrator Hall advised affordability was a result of supply and demand, and projects would also have Workforce Housing elements.

Mayor Nick Sortal asked the Committee members to share what they see as a good price for affordable housing. Discussion continued regarding prices and qualification, insurance costs, and other considerations.

PZED Director Dan Holmes pointed out the City was trying to take a multi-pronged approach to improve the supply and cost of affordable housing. He noted the City Council had approved the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance on March 6, and had recently held a workshop to discuss parking.

Affordable Housing Trust Fund

PZED Grant Administrator Edlyn Griffith advised that the City of Plantation is planning a town hall, with invitations to include the Broward County Affordable Housing Board and all of the Affordable Housing Committees throughout Broward County with the goal to exchange best practices and discuss initiatives that have been working and those that have not been working.

PZED Grant Administrator Griffith shared details of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as an opportunity to see how the Committee can push affordable housing further. She discussed the purpose of a Housing Trust Fund, used to raise funding that complements existing efforts for new construction of affordable housing, preservation and rehabilitation of the supply of decent, safe, and sanitary affordable housing for extremely low-income and very low-income households. She reviewed the objectives and benefits of the fund and potential funding sources.

Mr. Dutko asked for clarification on the difference between State funds which the City receives to assist with housing needs, and an Affordable Housing Trust Fund. PZED Grant Administrator Griffith discussed differences in guidelines between the options. Discussion continued regarding the number of Plantation residents facing homelessness.

Ms. Drummond commented that a trust fund seemed to give the City more options, including for assisting senior citizens who may be forced into homelessness because of insurance, taxes, and Homeowner Association (HOA) fees, and providing funding to help with building ADU.

Robbi Auerbach asked about the amount needed to establish an Affordable Housing Trust Fund. PZED Grant Administrator Griffith commented on example funds in other municipalities.

Mr. Rosenstein shared his experience working with Affordable Housing Trust Funds, and stated he was supportive of the idea. He discussed the potential for linkage fees and impact fees to support the Trust Fund.

Committee Engagement

Mr. Dutko advised that this item was a priority of Chair Maggie Zalamea, so would be moved to the next agenda.

AHAC Townhall - Workforce Housing Best Practices

Item previously addressed.

Redefining Our Schools Initiative

Mayor Sortal shared a brief update on talks with Broward County Public Schools regarding the potential for a housing project for educators on 13 acres in Plantation which was previously slated for construction of a school. He stated he had spoken with Chief Communications and Legislative Affairs Officer John Sullivan about next steps, and Mr. Sullivan had suggested gathering letters of support for the idea. Mayor Sortal advised that the Education Advisory Board had chosen to write a letter and the City Council had chosen not to submit a letter at this time. He reviewed a sample letter briefly.

Mr. Cordova commented on the discussion the City Council had on the topic. He noted that a housing development would come with families that need schools.

Mr. Rosenstein stated he is in support of allowing the School Board to utilize their land to provide a service to the School District to support employment for their District. He highlighted incremental micromanaging of the process by which new affordable housing projects are brought to Broward County, and stated because of that, it takes much longer than it should to implement these ideas. He asserted this was a great idea, and noted he would be more supportive of a rental project because it can continue to support teachers year over year.