Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 400 NW 73RD AVE PLANTATION, FLORIDA 33317 THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2023 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Maude Bruce at 4:35 p.m. Roll call was conducted by the clerk. A quorum was present. Present: Jon Auerbach, Robbi Auerbach, Vice Chair Maude Bruce, Carl Buehler, Edwin Cordova, Mayor Nick Sortal, Maggie Zalamea Absent: James Hackman, and Roderick Spencer Also Present: Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development (PZED) Director Dan Holmes; PZED Assistant Director Michael Alpert; City Attorney Kerry Ezrol; Community Development Grant Coordinator Edlyn Griffith; and Residents Max Goldstein, Charlene Williams, and Sarah Clark APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES June 1, 2023 Meeting Minutes Jon Auerbach moved to approve the minutes of the June 1, 2023, meeting and the March 2, 2023, meeting as presented; seconded by Mayor Sortal. Motion passed: 7-0. 2023-06-01 AHAC_Minutes.pdf

NEW BUSINESS 1. Election of Chair/Vice Chair Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Assistant Director Michael Alpert explained Chair Katie Edwards-Walpole had resigned, and new member Carl Buehler was selected as her replacement. He stated that additionally, this is Maude Bruce’s final meeting of the Committee, and an election of Chair and Vice Chair was in order. Jon Auerbach moved to nominate Mayor Sortal as Chair; seconded by Edwin Cordova. Motion passed: 7-0. Jon Auerbach moved to nominate Maggie Zalamea as Vice Chair; seconded by Maude Bruce. Motion passed: 7-0. Mayor Sortal recognized Maude Bruce for her service to the Board. 2. Proposed Draft Ordinance for Accessory Dwelling Units Mr. Alpert provided an overview of a proposed draft ordinance regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs). He noted that what is currently in the Code is called a “guest house” which required conditional use approval, and the change would make an ADU a permitted use by- right on all single-family and duplex residential properties. He stated the intent was consistency with regulations on the home itself, except for the proposed minimum rear setback of 10 feet. Maude Bruce asked when the ordinance would go before City Council. Mr. Alpert stated it would go to Planning and Zoning Board first and explained the process briefly. Jon Auerbach asked whether the ordinance provided for a homeowner to get approval at the staff level without going before City Council and the advisory boards. Mr. Alpert confirmed. Mr. Auerbach inquired as to whether the idea of having the City fund example plans to give residents a head start on the process had gotten anywhere. He noted reading and applying the Code was a daunting task unless you are familiar. Mr. Alpert stated that would require a separate request from the City Council. Discussion continued. Robbi Auerbach asked whether the ordinance included prefabricated units. Mr. Alpert stated it does not at this time, but that issue would be reviewed in the future. Max Goldstein, 1021 NW 115th Avenue, stated he is a member of the Planning and Zoning Board but was not representing them. He asked whether multiple ADUs could be built on a property so long as the maximum coverage area was not exceeded, what the associated parking requirements are. Mr. Alpert responded that it would be limited to one (1), and additional parking was not written in, but the parking ordinance would be reviewed later in the year. Mr. Goldstein stated that Broward County considers an ADU to be a half residential unit, and asked whether the change would result in neighborhoods being zoned for higher density than

the Broward County Land Use Plan allows. Mr. Alpert stated Staff is not looking at the ADU as an extra unit, but as accessory to the primary unit, so the density would not be affected. Mr. Goldstein suggested in addition to having a pre-made catalog of options, the City also look into connecting with a system to simplify the financing. Mr. Alpert agreed it was something the City should explore. Edwin Cordova commented on the recently passed State legislation referred to as the Live Local Act and suggested that the City Attorney explore potential impacts. City Attorney Kerry Ezrol noted his office had written a memo regarding the Act, and stated he would discuss the issue with Administration and Staff. Ms. Zalamea stated it would be helpful for the Committee to have an overview and discussion regarding the Live Local Act, beyond the ADU issue. Mr. Auerbach asked that a discussion be placed at the end of New Business due to the impacts on the affordable housing conversation. ADU-guide-web-singles-071619.pdf FS 163.31771-ADU.pdf ADU_Ordinance__AHAC_.pdf plantation_code- Exhibit_A_Section_27- 105_a__Accessory_Dwelling_Units__ADUs__and_Pool_Houses__1_ .pdf Exhibit_B_Section_27-72.pdf Exhibit_C_Section_27-92.pdf code_definition-_Exhibit_D_Definitions.pdf Exhibit_E_Section_27-310.pdf Exhibit_F_Section_27-296.pdf 3. ULI Report: US Capital Markets and Multi-housing Update Mr. Auerbach made a presentation reviewing the Urban Land Institute (ULI) report updating on U.S. Capital Markets and Multi-Housing. He highlighted issues with supply not keeping up with demand, insurance prices, rent growth, migration patterns, and the need for proposals to be attractive investments to investors. Carl Buehler asked questions about how condominiums were reflected in the report, and discussion ensued regarding condominiums versus other single-family and multi-family residences, including affordability, the impact of fully funded reserves, the difficulties in getting funding for development projects, efforts to take the financial burden off residents. Mr. Auerbach stated he would build owner occupied condos if he could obtain financing since lenders require a huge upfront deposit that is not obtainable. Mr. Buehler recommended investigating public bond financing for the deposit escrow that builders are required to obtain for financing approval from lenders; so as to facilitate building of owner-occupied condos

Mr. Cordova commented on the projections regarding rent growth. Mr. Auerbach provided additional details and discussion ensued related to rental properties and the factors related to affordability continued, including deferred maintenance, reserves, and insurance costs. 2023-07-06 Housing market overview AHAC.pdf OLD BUSINESS 1. Strategies for Developing a Community Education & Outreach Team Ms. Zalamea discussed the importance of community education and outreach, and stated one way to do that outreach is to partner with organizations such as the Broward Affordable Housing Taskforce and housing committees in other municipalities. She stated all of the organizations are struggling to find the best way to approach the issue of affordable housing and suggested a listening tour to gather ideas. Ms. Auerbach suggested getting the realtors and the realtor organizations involved, as they are on the frontlines of the issue. Ms. Zalamea highlighted the Broward Affordable Housing Taskforce summit on November 4 as another opportunity. Mayor Sortal noted there are discretionary funds available to send committee members to the summit in exchange for taking notes. Community Development Grant Coordinator Edlyn Griffith agreed with the idea of getting the affordable housing committees in other municipalities in conversation. Mr. Buehler briefly discussed opportunities for affordable housing contributions by local businesses with an associated recognition program. Discussion continued regarding increasing participation, creating funding opportunities, and setting attainable goals for actions that would impact affordable housing. Mr. Cordova commented on the broad nature of “affordable housing” and the feasibility of various goals. OTHER BUSINESS/DISCUSSIONS Mr. Auerbach stated the Live Local Act was an item the Committee should pick up for discussion, as there is a need to understand what it means for municipalities and their affordable housing efforts, as well as challenges and concerns. Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Director Dan Holmes noted the memo written by City Attorney Kerry Ezrol does a good job of breaking down the different aspects of the legislation and summarizing them. He stated Staff is conducting an analysis of the impacts of the legislation on Plantation based on its land use scheme, development, and other areas. He explained the threshold for providing affordable housing within the legislation is high, and noted the intent to combat the issue of exclusionary development processes which limit the supply of housing.

City Attorney Ezrol provided additional details regarding the legislation and incentives for affordable housing. Discussion continued regarding changes related to administrative approval of development, impacts on the development pattern within the City, submission of Code- compliant plans, and a planned overhaul of the City Code with the input of affected parties. Mayor Sortal stated a Live Local Act “101” presentation to City Council would be helpful. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Goldstein commented on the difficulty of getting housing projects approved. He discussed examples, including regulation of trees and heights, and asserted it had been made illegal to build housing in Plantation. He stated Code changes are needed in order to have good development in place, and suggested members of the AHAC show up at City Council meetings to advocate for affordable housing projects. Charlene Williams, Broward Affordable Housing Taskforce Board Member, Hope Fair Housing Center Education and Outreach Coordinator, and Plantation resident, introduced herself and discussed the value of education. Mayor Sortal asked who Plantation should be modeling themselves after in Broward County on the issue of affordable housing. Ms. Williams stated housing is not affordable anywhere in Broward County, and they need to look outside the County to see what other places are doing. Ms. Bruce stated she had a spreadsheet with information regarding incentives offered in other cities across the country, but no one in Florida is doing it, and that’s why the State is in the position it is related to affordability. Discussion continued regarding models in other urban areas and lessons learned. Mr. Holmes expanded on the need for education on affordable housing, noting people do not understand the impact on the local economy and highlighting the value of putting faces on the issue. Discussion continued regarding the need for diverse voices, working to not exclude young people from the market, and education. Sarah Clark, resident representing Better Streets Broward, stated she does not understand why established residents fight against young people saying they need housing. She brought up the issue of car dependency and asserted if that changed, there would be less concern with traffic and parking and the negative connotations of adding housing. Mr. Auerbach added to Ms. Clarke’s comments, noting that established, Homesteaded residents do not see a financial burden in saying no to additional housing because they do not share in the tax burden in the same way. Mr. Alpert acknowledged the positive conversation which had taken place. He shared that the Planning and Zoning Board would be holding a Roundtable at their July 11 meeting, with 20 minutes dedicated to the issue of housing and that AHAC members were encouraged to attend. He asked that members of the Committee attend Council meetings and advocate to support ordinances. Mr. Alpert distributed a draft of the Affordable Housing Market Assessment created

by Munilytics. He noted the next meeting of the AHAC would need to end by 6 p.m. to allow for a Council Roundtable with the consultant. ADJOURNMENT @ 6:19 p.m.