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Tarpon Workforce Housing Runs Into Roadblocks
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Published: August 2, 2008
TARPON SPRINGS - A proposal to construct a 128-unit "workforce" housing complex on 9-acres at Rainville Road and Alt 19 was deferred Monday night by the Planning and Zoning Board.
The city staff had been recommending approval of a preliminary development plan for the project, known as Raintree Cove Apartments. Other details on the plan the developer offered Monday night, however, changed staff's view on the project, city planner Rodney Chatman said.
The developer proposes to dedicate 70 percent or more of the apartments for workforce housing, in order to qualify for federal workforce housing incentives.
A relatively new concept, workforce housing refers to a form of affordable housing intended for people in key occupations such as law enforcement, education and health care.
Rent for a one-bed room home in Raintree Cove would be about $543 a month, rather than the market rate of $695. A two-bedroom apartment would rent for $656 rather than the going rate of $810 a month.
Although the city supports the idea of providing affordable housing, Chatman said, in order to be compatible with surrounding neighborhoods and qualify for an increase in the city's density requirements, at least 20 percent of the Raintree Cove units - but not more than 30 percent - should be dedicated to workforce housing.
Allowing a higher percentage of apartments to be sold or rented at below market rate would not create the mixed-income development that staff feels would benefit the city, Chatman said.
Without the density bonus only 85 units could be constructed on the property.
Representatives for the developer said a smaller project or one with less workforce housing would not be financially feasible because it would not qualify for enough federal incentives.
Planning and Zoning Board members said that point should be clarified before the development comes before them for a recommendation.
Commissioners also voiced concern about the project's impact on traffic flow along Alt. 19 north of the Anclote River Bridge during tourist season.
Representatives of the developer, Rottlund Homes of Florida, told planning commissioners the firm would provide a turn lane into the property and pay its share of a traffic signal along Alt 19 if a stoplight meets Florida Department of Transportation warrants.
Commissioners wanted the developer to acquire a traffic warrant study from the state as part of its preliminary development plan approval and pay for the traffic signal.
Planning Commissioner Leonard Gravitz noted the Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse chain agreed to pay for the cost of a traffic signal when asking to construct a store on U.S. 19 and Live Oak Street.
In response, the Raintree representatives said the development firm does not have the financial resources of Lowe's.
Gravitz suggested the project be deferred until the developer could provide a transportation study to determine the project's impact on Alt. 19, a traffic signal study from DOT to see if a signal is warranted, a better site plan and an endangered species study to determine if wildlife on the property may be negatively impacted.
Planning commissioner deferred voting on the issue until the Aug. 18 meeting.
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