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Resolution 2021-31946RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31946 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S DECEMBER 2021 TRIENNIAL INCENTIVE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT. WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach has identified in its Consolidated Plan the goal of pursuing funding for affordable housing for the rehabilitation of its existing housing stock and to provide homeownership opportunities to its residents; and WHEREAS, in 1992, the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act established the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), to provide funding for rehabilitation of housing stock and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate -income households; and WHEREAS, SHIP Program funds, derived from set-aside allocations from documentary stamp levies on real estate transactions, have been allocated to the City of Miami Beach; and WHEREAS, Section 420.9076, Florida Statutes requires cities and counties receiving SHIP funds to appoint an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee("AHAC") to review the City's established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and adopted local Comprehensive Plan, to recommend actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing, while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value; and WHEREAS, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee held ten (10) public meetings during the months of January through November 2021, and approved the AHAC Triennial Incentive Review and Recommendations Report (December 2029) (the "Report"), during a duly advertised public hearings held on November 16, 2021 and November 30, 2021, in accordance with Section 420.9076 (5), Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS, the Report must be transmitted to the City Commission and submitted to the FHFC by December 31, 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, acknowledging receipt of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee's December 2021 Triennial Incentive Review and Recommendations Report. PASSED and ADOPTED THIS $ ATTEST: �+IIdCOPF, C ..3 RAFAEL E. GRANADO, CITY CLERK DAY OF December., 2021. DAN GELBER, MAYOR DEC 1 3 2021 APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE & FOR EXECUTION P(� IZ-I-F-) City Attorney'— Date J Resolutions - C7 V MIAMI BEH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager DATE: December 8, 2021 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S DECEMBER 2021 TRIENNIAL INCENTIVE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT. RECOMMENDATION To approve the resolution. BACKGROUND/HISTORY In 1992, the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act established the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, administered by ,the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), which provides funding for rehabilitation of housing stock and homeownership opportunities for low and moderate -income households. In 1995, the City Commission approved Ordinance 95-2989, establishing the legal infrastructure enabling the City to receive SHIP Program funds, which are derived from set-aside allocations from documentary stamp levies on real estate transactions. H.B. 1339 amends reporting requirements and replaces the triennial report with an annual report that must be submitted by December 31 st. The report is compiled in conjunction with the City's AHAC and approved by the City Commission, is subsequently submitted to FHFC and includes recommendations on housing incentives. ANALYSIS The SHIP Statute at Florida Statutes, Sec. 420.9076 (5) requires that: "The approval by the advisory committee 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 advisory committee taken at a public hearing." Between January and November 2021, the AHAC held ten (10) public meetings and approved the attached Triennial Incentives Review and Recommendations Report during duly advertised public hearings held on November 16, 2021, and November 30, 2021. Although all AHAC meetings are public, this final AHAC public hearing has specific notice requirements in Page 590 of 1357 statute that are not required for the prior AHAC meetings. The 2021 Triennial Incentives Review and Recommendations Report highlights several actions taken by the AHAC that have resulted in ordinances and resolutions supporting the housing incentives found at s. 420.9076(4) of the Florida Statutes. Although not all strategies are applicable to Miami Beach, the AHAC was quite instrumental in supporting those strategies that incentivize the development of affordable housing within the jurisdiction. Sec. 420.9076 (2) of Florida Statutes provides the details on the member composition, and as of October 2020, the State Legislature added an elected official as a voting member in order to provide insight on policy development. Commissioner Michael Gongora served as Chair until the end of their term in November 2021. As a result, the Administration is requesting a replacement of the vacant seat of City Commissioner on the AHAC to further the accomplishments of the Committee's commitment to affordable housing. The AHAC approved the Triennial Incentives Review and Recommendations Report during an emergency meeting held on November 30, 2021. SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA Not applicable. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Not Applicable. Amount(s)/Account(s): Not Applicable. CONCLUSION The administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, acknowledge receipt of the attached Triennial Incentives Review and Recommendations Report submitted by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. Applicable Area Not Applicable Is this -a "Residents Right to Know" item,pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? No Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? No Strategic Connection Mobility - Support affordable, compatible workforce housing. Legislative Tracking Housing and Community Services Page 591 of 1357 ATTACHMENTS: Description ❑ Resolution Triennial Review Report Page 592 of 1357 City of Miami Beach Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) Recommendations Triennial Incentive Review and Recommendation Report December 2021 I. Background On September 16, 2020, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No, 2020-4355, which amended the composition of the AHAC to include a member of the City Commission. The AHAC made several motions supporting the incentives in 2019 and 2020, which were subsequently passed as Resolutions or Ordinances and increased their involvement in legislative action after the Ordinance was adopted. In 2021, a total of two (2) AHAC meetings were convened to discuss incentives and formulate the recommendations report. The dates of these meetings were: October 19, 2021 and November 16, 2021. A public hearing for the City's Consolidated Plan was held on November 16, 2021 and the City did not receive any recommendations. The AHAC then held an emergency meeting on November 30, 2021 to Upon acceptance, and as directed by the City Commission, the AHAC's recommendations will be referred to the appropriate committees, departments, or staff for further discussion. Staff from the Office of Housing and Community Services, and AHAC Committee Members, will attend any discussion meetings as necessary to assist in answering questions and to inform the meeting attendees of the goal of amending the City's Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) and/or the City Code, as may be applicable to the implementation of any of the recommended actions. Committee Composition The City / County Commission (re -appointed) appointed members to the Committee on January 1, 2021. Section 420.907 of the Florida Statutes lists the categories from which committee members must be selected. There must be at least 8 committee members with representation from at least 6 of the following categories: • Citizen actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing. • Citizen actively engaged in the banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing. • Citizen representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing. • Citizen actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing. • Citizen actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing. Page 1 of 7 Page 594 of 1357 • Citizen actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing. • Citizen actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing. • Citizen actively serving on the local planning agency pursuant to s.163.3174. • Citizen residing within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. • Citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction. • Citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan The appointed AHAC Committee members are included here, along with their catenory affiliation_ Name Category Represented 1 Sixto Acea Citizen actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing. 2 Darin Feldman Citizen actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing. 3 Jeffrey Feldman Citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan. 4 Vacant 5 Mohammed Islam Citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction. 6 Matthew Land Vice -Chair/ Citizen actively engaged as an advocate for low- income persons in connection with affordable housing. 7 Barbara Montero Citizen residing within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. 8 David Wieder Citizen actively serving on the local planning agency pursuant to s.163.3174. II. Public Hearing Although all the meetings were public meetings, to further solicit public input on the AHAC's recommendations, the meeting for the Triennial Report review was held on November 16, 2021, and on November 30, 2021. This meeting notice was advertised in the City's regular weekly post of City meetings and the Miami Herald. Page 2 of 7 Page 595 of 1357 III. Statutory Recommendations: The following represents the summary of the discussions and recommendations related to the incentives provided in Florida Statutes 420.9076(4). a. Incentive: Expediting the processing of approvals of development orders or permits for affordable housing development projects to a greater degree than other projects. [420.9076(4)(a)] Synopsis of Discussion/Background: In the past, The AHAC has recommended a measurement tool be developed for the Building Department to evaluate and report the average turnaround time for affordable housing project processing versus standard processing. On October 2020, the AHAC made a motion supporting a City incentive to expedite the building permit process for affordable housing projects. The Mayor and City Commission approved Resolution No. 2021-31581 on February 10, 2021, to expedite Building permit review for affordable housing projects. Current Recommendation: Reconfirm the City's commitment to this affordable housing development incentive. b. Incentive: The modification of impact -fee requirements, including reduction or waiver of fees and alternative methods of fee payment for affordable housing. [420.9076(4)(b)1 Synopsis of Discussion/Background: This incentive was taken up by the 1996 AHAC, the 2008 AHAC, and the 2012 AHAC; each recommending that the City waive building permit fees. The recommendation has never been implemented by the City. The City Attorney's office opined that waiver of building permit fees are not allowable under law. In 2015, AHAC suggested a reduced -rate fee Schedule to ensure that affordable housing would be subject to the minimum fees available. In September 2020, the AHAC made a motion supporting the ordinance change that will waive the training and technology fee for affordable and workforce housing projects. On October 2020, the AHAC made a motion supporting the following city incentives for affordable housing: 1. Expedite the building permit process. 2. Waive city land use board fees. 3. Waive city mobility fees. Page 3 of 7 Page 596 of 1357 The Mayor and City Commission approved Ordinance 2020-4361 on October 14, 2020, to waive training and technology fees for Affordable Housing units and Workforce Housing units. The Mayor and City Commission adopted Ordinance 2021-4416 on May 12, 2021, to waive the application fee, per square foot fee, and per variance fee for the Design Review Board, Historic Preservation Board, and the Board of Adjustment for elderly and non -elderly affordable housing applications. The Ordinance also waives applicable concurrency and mobility fees for affordable housing projects. Current Recommendation: The AHAC continues to explore further methods of incentivizing development of affordable housing. C. Incentive: The allowance of increased density levels/flexibility for affordable housing. f420.9076(4)(c)1 Synopsis of Discussion/Background: The 2008 AHAC recommended that the City consider amending its code to allow for an exception related to minimum and average size units for affordable housing, so that it mirrors the code's existing provisions for elderly affordable housing found in Section 142-1183. It was also recommended that an "economic hardship" allowance be included as one of the variance criteria for affordable housing development projects which come before the Board of Adjustment. The modification relating to unit size was made via Ordinance No. 2011-3744, which was adopted October 19, 2011. The 2012 AHAC recommended that this incentive remain in place. Current Recommendation: Reconfirm the City's commitment to this affordable housing development incentive. d. Incentive: The reservation of infrastructure capacity for housing for very - low -income persons and low-income persons. [420.9076(4)(d)] Synopsis of Discussion/Background: This incentive was deemed inapplicable to Miami Beach. Current Recommendation: There are no recommendations at this time. Page 4 of 7 Page 597 of 1357 e. Incentive: The allowance of affordable accessory residential units in residential zoning districts. [420.9076(4)(e)] Synopsis of Discussion/Background: The City already allows accessory type units to be used as residences in the case of multi -family residential zones --for example, the conversion of stand-alone garages, in-law quarters, etc. These units can have their own utilities, addresses, etc. The allowance however does not extend into the single family zones and doing so would not produce any significant benefit to allow for such. On January 2019, the AHAC passed a motion approving the legalization of accessory dwelling units to encourage workforce/affordable housing. The Mayor and City Commission adopted Ordinance 2019-4304 on October 16, 2019, which amended City Code to allow for accessory and conditional uses as provided for in the land development regulations; provided that accessory dwelling units do not count towards maximum density limits; and provided for the development of accessory dwelling units in order to encourage the development of housing at an attainable rate. Current Recommendation: There are no further recommendations at this time. f. Incentive: The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable housing. [420.9076(4)(f)] Synopsis of Discussion/Background: The 2008 AHAC recommended that the City Commission consider amending the Code to allow new construction of affordable housing to have 1.0 parking space for units 550 square feet or smaller instead of the current 1.5 spaces. The reduction of setback requirements was deemed inapplicable to Miami Beach and no recommendation was proffered. A parking modification to the code (applying to units of 800 square feet or less) was made via Ordinance No. 2011-3744, which was adopted October 19, 2011. The Mayor and Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2017-4148 on October 18, 2017, to reduce parking requirements for newly constructed affordable housing developments and workforce housing developments. The Mayor and Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2021-4451 on October 27, 2021, to reduce the fees associated with the removal of on -street parking spaces associated with affordable housing projects. Current Recommendation: There are no further recommendations at this time. Page 5 of 7 Page 598 of 1357 g. Incentive: Flexible Lot Configurations - The allowance of zero -lot -line configurations for affordable housing. [420.9076(4)(8)] Synopsis of Discussion/Background: This incentive was deemed inapplicable to Miami Beach. No recommendation was proffered. Current Recommendation: There are no recommendations at this time. h. Incentive: Modification of street requirements for affordable housing. [420.9076(4)(h)1 Synopsis of Discussion/Background: This incentive was deemed inapplicable to Miami Beach with its compact buildings with relatively small-scale sidewalks and streets. No recommendation was proffered. Current Recommendation: There are no recommendations at this time. L Incentive: The establishment of a process by which a local government considers, before adoption, any policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that increase the cost of housing. [420.9076(4)(i)1 Synopsis of Discussion/Background: The 2015 AHAC continued the discussions of the 2008 and 2012 AHACs regarding this issue, and agreed with the recommendation that there should be a staff analysis of items coming before the Planning Board that should include an inquiry asking: "What impact will this have on the availability of affordable housing in Miami Beach?" If staff analysis determines that the item may have an impact on an affordable housing project, this fact must be communicated to the Housing Director prior to the Planning Board meeting. The Director will timely provide an opinion to the board as to the depth of the impact and why they believe it's in the best interest of the affordable housing goals of the City. Current Recommendation: This process should continue to be implemented by the City. Page 6 of 7 Page 599 of 1357 j. Incentive: The preparation of a printed inventory of locally -owned public lands suitable for affordable housing. f420.9076(4)(i)l Synopsis of Discussion/Background: Since 1996, when this incentive was first taken up by an AHAC, the City has deeded all of its developable land. Recent versions of that list, presented to the 2012 AHAC, did not indicate any change in the status. The AHAC discussion suggested taking a different approach to looking at the properties; such as re -zoning, change of use, or sale; to create new opportunities for the development of affordable housing. Current Recommendation: There are no recommendations at this time. k. Incentive: The support of development near transportation hubs and major employment centers. f420.9076(4)(k)l Synopsis of Discussion/Background: Due to its narrow geography, and numerous bus lines, there are no transportation hubs in Miami Beach and no need to strategically place affordable housing related to these considerations. Recommendation: None IV. New Incentives /Recommendations identified by the AHAC: The foregoing recommendations were adopted by the City of Miami Beach Affordable Housing Advisory Committee on this 30th day of November, 2021, and are being submitted herewith for acceptance by the City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida. Matthew Land, Chairperson Page 7 of 7 Page 600 of 1357