Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS 400 NW 73RD AVE PLANTATION, FLORIDA 33317 THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Sortal at 4:37 p.m. Roll call was conducted by the clerk. A quorum was present. Present: Robbi Auerbach, Carl Buehler, Michael Dutko Jr., Mitchell Rosenstein, and Mayor Nick Sortal Absent: Jon Auerbach, Edwin Cordova, Roderick Spencer, and Maggie Zalamea Also Present: Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development (PZED) Director Dan Holmes; PZED Assistant Director Michael Alpert; City Attorney Kerri Ezrol; Councilmember Timothy Fadgen; Councilmember Louis Reinstein; and nine (9) residents ELECT 2024 CHAIR & VICE CHAIR 1. Appointment of Chair/Vice Chair for 2024 Session PZED Assistant Director Michael Alpert advised that he had spoken with Maggie Zalamea, and though she was unable to attend this meeting, she was interested in the role of Chair or Vice Chair. He advised the item could be tabled to allow for additional people if the Board chose. City Attorney Kerri Ezrol advised it would be appropriate to move forward, and the Board could opt to have the new Chair take over at the next meeting. Mitchell Rosenstein moved to nominate Maggie Zalamea as Chair and Michael Dutko Jr. as Vice Chair, seconded by Mayor Sortal. Motion passed: 5-0.

Michael Dutko Jr. proceeded as Acting Chair for the remainder of the meeting. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES 1. December 4, 2023 AHAC Meeting Minutes Mitchell Rosenstein moved to approve the December 4, 2023, minutes as presented, seconded by Robbi Auerbach. Motion passed: 5-0. 2023-12-04_AHAC_Minutes.pdf NEW BUSINESS 1. Density and Flexibility Presentation PZED Assistant Director Alpert provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding proposed amendments to the City’s density and flexibility. He stated this presentation and the presentation on parking regulations had gone before the Planning and Zoning Board on December 5, 2023, and had been recommended for approval. He explained the item would go before the City Council for two (2) readings, with the first to be held on January 10, 2024. He provided a brief overview of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Development Regulations, and Code of Ordinances, including the purpose and process for amendment of each. He reviewed the current and existing maps. Mr. Dutko asked for clarification on the process for application for flex units. PZED Assistant Director Alpert explained the process. He advised that the amendment would strengthen the criteria which is reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board and Council. Mayor Sortal asked if flex units are used often in the City. PZED Assistant Director Alpert stated it has been used for a number of projects. Carl Buehler inquired as to what the maximum density utilized had been. PZED Assistant Director Alpert provided additional clarification on the calculation under flex units. PZED Director Dan Holmes explained there were developments above 50 units per acre which utilize stacking. Exhibit A Memorandum (Comp Plan).pdf Exhibit B Memorandum (LDC).pdf 2. Parking Regulations Presentation PZED Assistant Director Alpert advised that staff had provided a number of articles regarding parking and parking concerns. He discussed the number of vehicles per residence as impacted by various demographics. He stated each off-street surface parking space requires 270 square

feet of surface area and noted costs. He reviewed example photos from other communities. He advised that development frequently boils down to a battle between parking and landscaping and noted the positions of various stakeholders. He stated proposed changes would come before the Board once a draft was ready. Mitchell Rosenstein stated he would welcome and opportunity to advocate for these changes before the Planning and Zoning Board. Mr. Dutko asked if there were any efforts to increase walkability in new developments. PZED Assistant Director Alpert advised this was an ongoing effort. Mr. Buehler asked about lowering the number of parking spaces due to shared use agreements. Discussion continued regarding the lessons from previous developments. Mayor Sortal inquired as to the availability of data sources as driving and how people use their cars. PZED Director Holmes stated Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) undertakes several studies which will be utilized. Mr. Buehler commented on improving technology and asked if the utilization of driverless cars and cars people do not own was factored into the plans. PZED Director Holmes stated Zipcars are seen in larger metropolitan areas, and transit systems are also being improved. He commented that it was an exciting future. Max Goldstein, 1021 NW 115th Avenue, commented on the flexibility and density presentation. He stated it was a simple matter of supply and demand, so increasing the quantity of housing would bring the prices down, as there is nothing inherently different about affordable housing as compared to market rate housing. He asserted this was the only thing that had been successful in bringing rent prices down. He addressed the parking requirements briefly, noting he is not a believer in parking minimums, as developers have a vested interest in building the appropriate amount of parking whether there is a minimum. He stated parking requirements deny affordable housing. Al Franklin, 9472 NW 11th Street, asked whether there was regulation as to how many people can live in housing units. PZED Assistant Director Alpert stated there are maximum occupancies in the Florida Building Code. Mr. Franklin asked how the number is determined. He expressed concern that additional units will be put in, and then 12 people will be living in a unit with three (3) or four (4) cars. Mr. Rosenstein explained the number of people per bedroom limitations in low-income developments and discussed ongoing compliance checks. Discussion continued regarding occupancy limits on various types of units, including short-term rentals.

EESI Article - Eliminating Parking Minimums June 3 2021.pdf Lincoln Institute of Land Policy - Shifting Gears - October 12 2022.pdf Local Housing Solutions - Reduced Parking Requirements.pdf NPH Rethinking Residential Parking MythsandFacts.pdf OLD BUSINESS 1. December 4, 2023 Town Hall Presentations 12.4.2023-CALL TO ACTION.pdf Lakisha Hull - Housing Affordability Townhall Meeting.pdf Plantation AHAC V3 - Affordable Housing Presentation - December 2023.pdf Plantation Town Hall - V2 - Affordable Housing Presentation - December 2023.pdf 2. December 4, 2023 Housing Affordability Town Hall Summary 2023-12-04 AHAC Town Hall Summary.pdf PZED Assistant Director Alpert advised that the presentations from the December 4, 2023, Town Hall had been provided, along with a summary of the meeting. Mr. Buehler stated he had been surprised that there was no discussion of the AHAC annual report, as there were items which the Board could have brought to the attention of Council. PZED Assistant Director Alpert advised that prior to the January 24 Council meeting, there would be a joint workshop between the City’s Boards and Council beginning at 5 p.m. OTHER BUSINESS/DISCUSSIONS Mayor Sortal commented that he had recently visited North Florida, and it is apparent the point of view regarding surface parking is different once you leave Broward County. He shared that Plantation University will be starting again soon and will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month for five (5) months. He noted this is an opportunity to get better educated on the City. Mayor Sortal asked Mr. Buehler about calculations he had shared at a past meeting that showed 40 percent of residents in Plantation would not have income to qualify for a market rate apartment. Mr. Buehler stated he had recently seen updated statistics related to affordability, and Plantation had been in the top third tier. Mayor Sortal stated he would like to utilize the data from his platform as Mayor to respond to complaints that there are too many apartments, and they are too expensive. Discussion continued regarding data available.

Mr. Dutko advised there are states passing legislation which will allow for duplexes to be built in any single-family housing district. He stated he did not know if it would be feasible, but he could not think of an objective reason that it would not be a positive. He noted he would be interested in seeing data. PZED Assistant Director Alpert advised that they do have examples. He stated after the parking ordinance, the next issue to address would be zoning reform. He noted they would provide data and allow for Board input. Discussion continued regarding duplexes alongside single-family housing and the pattern in other cities. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT @ 5:38 p.m.