TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pinellas News

Tarpon Adopts Affordable Housing Ordinance

ADVERTISEMENT

By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: February 23, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - City commissioners have voted to woo developers of affordable housing projects to the city with a series of incentives.

Tuesday night, the City Commission unanimously adopted an affordable housing ordinance. Pat Weber, executive director of the Tarpon Springs Housing Authority, praised the commission's action.

The ordinance will help provide more affordable housing in the city, Weber predicted.

Ed Cole, who heads the Union Academy Oversight Committee, however, offered a contrary view.

The ordinance, Cole said, would not help low-income people afford housing. It is more likely to spur the development of deed-restricted communities, he added.

Commissioner David Archie asked how provisions of the ordinance would be enforced.

City Attorney James Yacavone said the city will have the right to review the development's records to assure the project is meeting the affordable housing criteria. In addition, the public would likely report violations of the ordinance's requirements to city officials, Yacavone said.

Mayor Beverley Billiris said the ordinance provides tools for developers to use in providing affordable housing.

According to the ordinance, in order to qualify for its financial incentives a developer must dedicate a portion of a project to affordable housing for at least 30-years.

Under the ordinance, developers of affordable housing projects could qualify for a density bonus of up to 50 percent above what is allowed in a particular zoning classification.

City officials, however, would have to deem these density bonuses compatible with the site's development constraints and the surrounding environment, Yacavone said.

The developer could also enjoy a reduction in parking requirements, as long as the change would not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood.

In addition, setback requirements would be relaxed as part of a conditional use in project making the affordable housing set-aside.

In the case of owner-occupied housing projects, in order to qualify for incentives at least 20 percent of the homes in the development must be deemed affordable.

When it comes to rental housing, at least 20 percent of units must be set aside as affordable for people earning at least 60 percent of the median family income.

Under a conditional use site plan agreement, the city would have the right to review the developer's records to make sure provisions are in compliance. Renters would be screened to make sure they qualify.

Commissioners took exception to a proposed provision of the ordinance that would have allowed tenants of rental housing to be evicted if a family member engaged in unlawful activity. Such clauses are often used to discourage illegal drug sales in public housing complexes.

Commissioner Peter Dalacos said the provision seemed overly broad because it would punish an entire family for one misfit member's misdeeds. That provision was deleted from the ordinance before it was passed.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT