Okaloosa County BOCC — February 11, 2013 — 2013 Triennial Report Final — reading text

the flexible parking requirements and alternative residential design standards to determine whether these recent revisions are having any effect on the provision of affordable housing. g. Incentive: The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including zero-lot-line configurations for affordable housing. Review Synopsis: Chapter 2 of the County’s Land Development Code enables the creation of “Planned Unit Developments” (PUDs) specifically to allow “flexible land use and design regulations and to permit planned diversification and integration of uses and structures”, in order to, among other things, lower development and building costs. Reducing building and development costs helps facilitate the construction of affordable housing. In addition, the 2010 amendments to the County Land Development Code included Section 2.18.00 which provides for the use of zero-lot-line, zipper-lots, z- and angled-lots, and cluster development as residential design alternatives in multiple zoning districts. The City of Fort Walton Beach Land Development Code addresses several development alternatives to encourage affordable housing. Section 4.07.04 of the Land Development Code states allows zero lot line development in the City to enable more efficient and affordable single-family development. Furthermore, the City’s Comprehensive Plan includes Policy C.5.6, which is stated above in section f. This policy will ensure that the City is continually seeking ways to facilitate affordable housing. Board Action: As stated above, the Board of County Commissioners amended its Land Development Code to include numerous design alternatives that could facilitate affordable housing projects. City Council adopted the Land Development Code in 2012 which includes several flexible lot configurations that encourage affordable housing projects. Recommendation: The County should monitor the use and effectiveness of these provisions for affordable housing. h. Incentive: The modification of street requirements for affordable housing. Review Synopsis: As part of the County’s 2010 amendments of its Land Development Code, the width requirements for local streets as provided in the County’s Land Development Code were reduced from 66 feet to 50 feet for public roads, and to 40 feet for private roads in an effort to reduce development costs. While not specific or unique to affordable housing projects, these width reductions nonetheless provide the desired benefit for affordable housing. Policy 5.8 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan states that the City will coordinate with the Affordable Housing Alliance Committee to consider modifying current street requirements for affordable housing. The City is continually monitoring the need for flexibility in this area.  2013 AHAC Triennial Incentive Review and Recommendation Report Page 6 of 8 Board Action: As stated above, the Board of County Commissioners has amended its Land Development Code to reduce the mandatory width of both private and public roads. No action other than monitoring is recommended at his time. The City of Fort Walton Beach will also continue to assess the needs of affordable housing projects in regards to street requirements. Recommendation: The Board of County Commissioners and City Council should monitor the effect the reduction has on development, and in particular affordable housing. i. Incentive: The establishment of a process by which a local government considers, before adoption, policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions that increase the cost of housing. Review Synopsis: The County has not yet formally implemented this incentive. However, the effect of various regulatory and policy changes on the affordability of housing is considered during the County’s deliberations of Land Development Code amendments and other actions. The City’s Comprehensive Plan addresses this in Policy C.5.7, which states that the City will consider the implications of adopting policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, and plans which may increase the cost of housing and report such information to the Municipal Planning Board (currently known as the Local Planning Agency) as part of the deliberation process. Board Action: The Board of County commissioners has not yet taken action regarding this item. Recommendation: The Board of County Commissioners should direct staff to develop a formal process to implement this incentive. The AHAC could serve as an appropriate sounding board for any proposed regulatory or procedural changes that could affect the affordability of housing. j. Incentive: The preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public lands suitable for affordable housing. Review Synopsis: As part of its Geographic Information System, the County maintains an inventory of all publicly owned lands which it utilizes for a number of purposes. This information is free and readily accessible through the County’s website. Any provider of affordable housing can at no cost search the entire County inventory for properties as may seem most desirable for housing from which a request for such use could be presented to the Board of County Commissioners. However, a recent inventory of County-owned property intended to identify properties that could be made available for sale indicates that the County has very few properties that are both suited for development as well as unencumbered by  2013 AHAC Triennial Incentive Review and Recommendation Report Page 7 of 8 plans for public infrastructure (stormwater ponds, road right-of-way, parks, etc). City Council periodically reviews all public lands in Fort Walton Beach and determines the best use for them. This was most recently done in 2011. This information is available by request at City Hall. Board Action: This issue does not require Board action; the entire inventory of county properties is available on-line free to all viewers. Recommendation: County staff should continue to maintain and provide at request inventories of publicly owned land. k. Incentive: The support of development near transportation hubs and major employment centers and mixed-use developments. Review Synopsis: Through the upgrade of its Bob Sikes and Arbennie Pritchett water treatment plants and associated installation of transmission lines connecting existing and future growth areas, as well as through its road paving programs and its 5 year Capital Improvements Plan, Okaloosa County is actively trying to support development in areas suited for growth. In addition, the 2010 Land Development Code revisions included creation of a “Mixed Use” zoning district intended to encourage diversification of land uses in existing urbanized areas. The City of Fort Walton Beach supports development in mixed-use zoning districts by broadening the permissible uses and relaxing development standards. Maximum allowable density has been increased and the Land Development Code contains bonus incentives for mixed- use developments. Board Action: No further action needed at this time. Recommendation: The County and City should monitor the effectiveness of their respective infill strategies, and as provided in i., above, should direct staff to coordinate their capital projects programming whenever feasible to compliment efforts to provide affordable housing. IV. Additional Recommendations Okaloosa County/City of Fort Walton Beach AHAC has no additional recommendations at this time, and remains committed to working with the County and the City to implement the incentives and recommendations discussed above.  2013 AHAC Triennial Incentive Review and Recommendation Report Page 8 of 8 V. Board/Council Consideration This report was presented to the Ft Walton Beach City Council during its regular meeting of April 23rd, 2013, and to the Board of County Commissioners during its regular meeting of April 16th, 2013. As provided in Section 420.9076(6), Florida Statutes, the City Council and Board of County Commissioners have 90 days from receipt of this report to amend its Local Housing Assistance Plan (the City and County have a joint Housing Assistance Plan) and may include, at their discretion, any of the recommendations contained herein. VI. Attachments 1. Public Hearing Advertisement