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Synopsis of Affordable Housing Incentives Provided
The Town has amended its Affordable Housing Incentive Plan on three (3) occasions since it was first adopted in 1998, in order to expand the level of incentives to encourage new development of urgently needed affordable housing, especially rental housing. On April 5, 2006, the Town’s Affordable Housing Incentive Plan was amended to state that:
Fee Waivers - The Director of Housing and Community Development will carefully review all prospective affordable housing projects, to verify their level of benefit and period of affordability. The waiver of all fees e.g., Park and Recreation Impact fees, Design Review and Site Plan Processing Fees, Engineering Review Fees, Building Permit Fees, etc., will be based on this review. It is acknowledged that the only fee that may not be waived for Affordable Workforce Housing is Water and Sewer Impact Fees; however, nothing prohibits the use of the Town’s SHIP or HOME funds to pay these impact fees in order to reduce the cost of the housing. Deed restrictions or other covenants may be required of all developers to ensure that the level and period (length) of affordability is maintained.” Davie’s Affordable Housing
Incentive Strategy (Plan) was also amended and restated to reflect that “An Affordable Housing Certification will be issued by the Housing and Community Development Director, if appropriate; and, Affordable Housing Flex Units (AFU’s) and/or Flex in Reserve Units will be allocated based on this Certification Process.
Expediting Permits - The State Statutes require that the “processing of approvals of development orders or permits, as defined in State Statute 163.3164(7) and (8), for affordable housing projects is expedited to a greater degree than other projects”. Based on this requirement, the Town’s Housing and Community Development Director was assigned to guide affordable housing developers through the permitting process; and, affordable housing projects & initiatives are to be expedited to a greater degree than all other projects in Davie. The Housing and Community Development Director works closely with the Planning and Zoning Director, Town Engineer, and the Town’s Chief Building Official to ensure that any “glitches” in the permitting process for affordable housing initiatives are resolved in an
expeditious manner.
Parking and Set-Back Requirements - Davie’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommended that Section 12-308 (b) (1) of the Davie Town Code be amended to permit a waiver of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of that which is permitted by Code, for affordable housing initiatives only. This incentive will allow the development of in-fill single family homes on vacant property not otherwise suited for development, and could significantly lower the cost of housing, since the land acquisition costs should be minimal. This recommendation requires a formal amendment to the Town Code.
In regard to parking requirements, precedents have been set regarding parking variances or reduced requirements for certain types of affordable housing developments. The majority of elderly projects require fewer parking spaces, since many older individuals, particularly those in public housing projects, have already given up their driving privileges. Each affordable housing project will be reviewed by the Housing and Community Development Director and based on the target population to be served and the period of affordability, will make a recommendation on the reduction in parking requirements, if warranted.
Review of Proposed Policies and Procedures on Housing Costs - The Development Services Director identifies those proposed policies, procedures, plans, etc., that may impact the development of housing, and forward such to the Town’s Housing and Community Development Director for review and comment. The Housing and Community Development Director can then ensure that such proposed action is consistent with the Town’s adopted Consolidated Plan for Federal Funds, and does not negatively impact housing costs or produce a barrier to affordable housing. The Housing and Community Development Director can identify potential impediments to fair housing choices and other impacts on the provision of affordable housing. The Planning and Zoning Manager works closely with the Housing and Community Development Director to
ensure consistency with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
Inventory of Publicly Owned Land - The Town’s Planning and Zoning Division in the Development Services Department, currently maintains a list of all publicly-owned land in Davie. The Advisory Committee recommended that this list be reviewed and updated using Metro Scan or other applicable data, so that current and future uses are identified, as well as any deed-related or other restrictions on the land. The updated list should be provided to the Housing and Community Development Director, for use in meeting with potential developers of affordable housing.
Role of Housing and Community Development Department- The Town’s Housing and Community Development Director reviews all proposed policies, procedures, plans, etc., that may impact the development of housing, in order to ensure that such proposed action is consistent with the Town’s adopted Consolidated Plan for Federal Funds, and does not negatively impact housing costs or produce a barrier to affordable housing. The Housing and Community Development Director will identify any potential impediments to fair housing choices and other impacts on the provision of affordable housing. The Planning and Zoning Director will work closely with the Housing and Community Development Director to ensure consistency with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Director of Housing and Community Development reviews all prospective affordable housing projects to verify their level of benefit and period of affordability, and recommend the waiver of Park and Recreation Impact fees, Building Permit Fees, etc., reductions in parking requirements if warranted, “Affordable Housing Density Bonuses” as applicable, and Deed restrictions or other covenants to ensure that the level and period (length) of affordability are maintained.
The Town’s Housing and Community Development Director guides affordable housing developers through the permitting process; and, affordable housing projects/initiatives are expedited to a greater degree than all other projects in Davie.
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