§ 1-8-64. Creation of the affordable housing advisory committee.

(a)

The affordable housing advisory committee ("AHAC") is hereby created and established. The members of the AHAC shall be appointed by resolution of the board of county commissioners.

(b)

The AHAC shall consist of the following eleven (11) members, which individuals may overlap with or be part of the local housing partnership:

(1)

One (1) citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing;

(2)

One (1) citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing;

(3)

One (1) citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing;

(4)

One (1) citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing;

(5)

One (1) citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing;

(6)

One (1) citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing;

(7)

One (1) citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing

(8)

One (1) citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to F.S. section 163.3174;

(9)

One (1) citizen who resides within the county;

(10)

One (1) citizen who represents employers within the county; and

(11)

One (1) citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.

If the county, whether due to its small size, the presence of a conflict of interest by prospective appointees, or other reasonable factor, is unable to appoint a citizen actively engaged in these activities in connection with affordable housing, a citizen engaged in the activity without regard to affordable housing may be appointed.

(c)

Members shall serve for two-year terms and may be reappointed for subsequent terms. Initial terms shall be staggered at the time of creation of the AHAC.

(d)

All meetings of the AHAC are public meetings, and all committee records are public records. Written minutes of the meetings shall be kept. Meetings may be held monthly, but at least quarterly. The AHAC shall annually elect a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and such other officers as it deems necessary. The chairperson is charged with the duty of conducting meetings in a manner consistent with law. Six (6) members shall constitute a quorum. Staff, administrative, and facility support to the AHAC shall be provided by the county.

(e)

The AHAC shall be responsible for drafting and recommending to the county commission the county's local housing assistance plan and the local housing incentive plan. The approval by the AHAC of its local housing incentive strategies recommendations and its review of local government implementation of previously recommended strategies must be made by affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the AHAC taken at a public hearing. Notice of the time, date, and place of the public hearing of the AHAC to adopt final local housing incentive strategies recommendations must be published in a newspaper of general paid circulation in the county. The notice must contain a short and concise summary of the local housing incentives strategies recommendations to be considered by the AHAC, and also the public place where a copy of the tentative AHAC recommendations can be obtained by interested persons.

(f)

Triennially, the AHAC shall review the established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and adopted local comprehensive plan of the county and shall recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value.

(1)

Recommendations may include the modification or repeal of existing policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions; the creation of exceptions applicable to affordable housing; or the adoption of new policies, procedures, regulations, ordinances, or plan provisions, including recommendations to amend the county comprehensive plan and corresponding regulations, ordinances, and other policies. At a minimum, the AHAC shall submit a report to the board of county commissioners that includes recommendations on, and triennially thereafter evaluates the implementation of, affordable housing incentives in the following areas:

a.

The expedited processing of approvals of development orders or permits for affordable housing projects.

b.

The modification of impact fee requirements, including reduction or waiver of fees and alternative methods of fee payment for affordable housing.

c.

The allowance of flexibility in densities for affordable housing.

d.

The reservation of infrastructure capacity for housing for very-low-income persons, low-income persons, and moderate-income persons.

e.

The allowance of affordable accessory residential units in residential zoning districts.

f.

The transfer of development rights as a financing mechanism for housing for very-low-income persons and low-income persons.

g.

The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable housing.

h.

The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including zero-lot-line configurations for affordable housing.

i.

The modifications of sidewalk and street requirements for affordable housing.

j.

The establishment of a process by which the county considers, before adoption, procedures, policies, ordinances, regulations or plan provisions that increase the cost of housing.

k.

The preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public lands suitable for affordable housing.

l.

The support of development near transportation hubs and major employment centers and mixed-use developments.

(2)

The AHAC recommendations may also include other affordable housing incentives identified by the AHAC.

(3)

Within ninety (90) days after the date of receipt of the local housing incentive strategies recommendations from the AHAC, the board of county commissioners shall adopt an amendment to its local housing assistance plan to incorporate the local housing incentive strategies it will implement within the county. The amendment must include, at a minimum, the local housing incentive strategies required under F.S. section 420.9071(16). The board of county commissioners must consider the strategies specified in subsections (1)a.—l. as recommended by the AHAC.

(4)

The AHAC may perform other duties at the request of the county, including:

a.

The provision of mentoring services to affordable housing partners including developers, banking institutions, employers, and others to identify available incentives, assist with applications for funding requests, and develop partnerships between various parties.

b.

The creation of best practices for the development of affordable housing in the community.

(g)

The AHAC shall be cooperatively staffed by the county department or division having authority to administer local planning or housing programs to ensure an integrated approach to the work of the AHAC.

(Ord. No. 93-07, § 4, 4-6-93; Ord. No. 97-089, § 1, 9-30-97; Ord. No. 2008-048, § 1, 5-27-08)

Cross reference

Housing advisory committee, § 1-8-51 et seq.