Affordable Housing Advisory Committee

City of Deltona 2345 Providence Blvd. Deltona, FL 32725 Minutes Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Tuesday, July 20, 2021 4:00 PM Second Floor Conference Room A. In an effort to reduce the possibility of exposure of residents to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee meeting will be held in the virtual environment via Webex and can be accessed by the following methods: 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 4:12 pm. 2. ROLL CALL: Present: 6 - Chair Jodi Pena-Castaldi Vice Chair Patricia Ulicny-Hoback Member Eric James Member Commissioner Avila-Vazquez Member Cassie Landron Member Manny Rodriguez Excused: 3 - Member Dolores Guzman Member Sylvia Hayes Member Michael E. Williams Absent: 1 - Member Terri Ellis 7. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Chaney stated the AHAC Report is not about how to spend SHIP money but is about regulatory reform. He explained the goal is to create an incentives to build affordable housing in the City. He explained to the Committee, SHIP money requires an AHAC Report and without the report the City will not receive money. He discussed recommended incentives for affordable housing by modifying policies, creating exceptions, or amending the local regulations and ordinances. He explained ways to make affordable housing affordable by decreasing housing related debt by offering forgivable loans or grants, or providing loans at a lower interest rate to developers. Mr. Chaney provided background on the AHAC Report, explaining the Committee is responsible for producing a report that recommends and evaluates at minimum the 11 City of Deltona Page 1 Printed on 8/10/2021 Affordable Housing Advisory Minutes July 20, 2021 Committee incentives required by s. 420.9076(4). He explained a draft of the report would be available for the meeting in September, and staff would be available for assistance. He stated the AHAC Report is due December 31, 2021. Mr. Chaney provided the Committee with the following AHAC meeting dates. He stated the August meeting is already scheduled to cover the last strategies and the September meeting would have a draft of the AHAC Report and this is where Committee members make recommendations. The October meeting would be an advertised public hearing, which is a requirement. The AHAC Report would go to the City Commission in November or December for approval. The Committee voted to schedule an AHAC Meeting, September 21, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. to review the draft AHAC Report. For: 6 - Chair Pena-Castaldi, Vice Chair Ulicny-Hoback, Member James, Member Avila-Vazquez, Member Landron and Member Rodriguez C. 3. Strategy: Flexibility in density Mr. Chaney stated density flexibility recommendation is the most tangible for AHAC to make. He gave examples of inclusionary lots for the Committee to see examples of inclusionary housing looks compared to an estate home on the same lot size. He explained density could be awarded to a developer for affordable housing in areas of need. Mr. Liu spoke regarding maximum density based on the City Land Development Code. He gave examples of density from Deltona GIS maps showing how RE-1, R-1AA, R1-B, and RM-2 defer. Member James explained increasing density could cause issues and having a mixed use would be more sensible in Deltona. He requested staff to research increase infrastructure with increased density cost. Mr. Paradise explained zoning is done in gross terms. Chair Pena-Castaldi stated flexible density could be used to allow affordable housing near large thoroughfares. Member James asked about the time length requirements of affordable housing. Mr. Chaney explained it would depend on the funding the developer received. Mr. Chaney explained members can make recommendations or have someone come in to speak to the Committee during the public hearing in October. A. 1. Strategy: Accessory dwelling units Mr. Chaney spoke regarding accessory dwelling units and explained ADU's normally mean City of Deltona Page 2 Printed on 8/10/2021 Affordable Housing Advisory Minutes July 20, 2021 Committee a stand alone dwelling. The ADU's allowed in Deltona are granny flats meaning they are small apartments. Mr. Chaney discussed land use codes regarding ADU's and explained these could be used for the elderly or someone assisting the elderly. He explained Deltona's Land Development Code restricts granny flats to only family members. Mr. Liu discussed the Land Development Code regarding accessory dwelling units. He provided examples of what changes that could be made to the Land Development Code for affordable housing. Member James spoke regarding driveway regulations. Mr. Paradise explained the ADU regulations ensure a neighborhood doesn't change from owner occupied to being all absentee ownership. He stated granny flats allowance was done in 2016 and has not been utilized due to wastewater and septic tank needing to be upgraded. Member James stated other cities make absentee owners pay more in taxes. Discussion between Mr. Paradise and the Committee occurred regarding requirements of granny flats staying with the land. Member Rodriguez stated he would like to keep neighborhoods how they are and believes changing the regulation would cause an issue. He wants to protect neighborhoods. Chair Pena-Castaldi agreed. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez asked questions regarding septic tanks and sewers regarding ADU's. Mr. Paradise explained based on the size, of the ADU and Single Family Home, and location would determine if sewer would be required. D. 4. Strategy: Reduction of parking and setback requirements Mr. Chaney spoke regarding street parking. He stated reducing parking and setback requirements for affordable housing could allow more available land for affordable housing. He explained elderly and homeless residents would require less parking than other residents. Mr. Liu discussed the City's parking regulations. Discussion occurred regarding parking regulations, issues, and code violations. Vice Chair Ulicny-Hoback stated some of the older homes in Deltona do not have a garage or only have a one-car garage. Member James asked the Committee to look at the community because some homes have more than one family living inside, which means they may have more cars than code allows. City of Deltona Page 3 Printed on 8/10/2021 Affordable Housing Advisory Minutes July 20, 2021 Committee Mr. Paradise explained setbacks allow a unified setback, the setback for 25 feet has been constant for 50 years. B. 2. Strategy: Flexible lot configurations Mr. Chaney spoke regarding flexible lot configurations and having a zero-lot-line. Mr. Liu spoke regarding setbacks and possible disadvantages of changing the current code. Discussion occurred regarding the current setback regulations and condos with zero lot lines. Mr. Chaney stated affordable housing could be in a subdivision similiar villas. Mr. Paradise explained a developer had proposed California-style villas with an interior courtyard for residents. Chair Pena-Castaldi asked if the Committee was allowed to say this could be allowable if located in certain zoning for affordable housing. Mr. Paradise explained the City code allows patio homes, which is essentially the same thing. Mr. Liu provided the Committee with the setbacks and lot size requirements for patio homes. Mr. Paradise explained Residential Multifamily Zonings RM-1 and RM-2 allow eight (8) to 20 units per acres. Chair Pena-Castaldi recommended the Committee keep the current zoning how it is. 9. BOARD/COMMITTEE MEMBERS COMMENTS: Member Rodriguez stated he was glad to be on the Committee and the City needs affordable housing, but he wished the Committee could address homelessness. Commissioner Avila-Vazquez stated the City needs affordable housing. She spoke regarding attendance and making a quorum. She explained that being on a Committee is voluntary, but attendance at meetings is mandatory. Vice Chair Ulicny-Hoback stated the Committee was doing great with nailing issues down. Chair Pena-Castaldi asked if staff could send an email regarding Commissioner Avila-Vazquez's statement on attendance. Ms. Briggs spoke regarding changing the by-laws for the Committee and adding alternates. City of Deltona Page 4 Printed on 8/10/2021 Affordable Housing Advisory Minutes July 20, 2021 Committee She explained the Committee would all need to reapply to be on the AHAC in October because everyone's term is over October 5, 2021. She stated attendance is crucial to making the AHAC Report and explained if an AHAC Report is not submitted the City would not receive SHIP Money. Ms. Briggs and the Committee discussed SHIP funds. Chair Pena-Castaldi thanked Michael Chaney for his time and presentation. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES & AGENDA: A. AHAC Minutes of May 18, 2021 Motion by Patricia Ulicny-Hoback, seconded by Manny Rodriguez to approve the Minutes of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Meeting of May 18, 2021, as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 4. PRESENTATIONS/AWARDS/REPORTS: None. 5. PUBLIC FORUM: Time permitted, public comment shall be permitted at the end of agenda items only and shall not exceed two minutes. Chair Jodi Pena-Castaldi opened and closed public forum, as there was none. 6. OLD BUSINESS: None. 8. STAFF COMMENTS: None. 10. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:26 pm. _____________________________________ Jodi Pena-Castaldi, Chairperson ATTEST: ______________________________________ Damaris Miranda, Board Secretary City of Deltona Page 5 Printed on 8/10/2021