AHAC Minutes 07/12/2021M IN UTES OF
THE COLLIER COUNTY
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
July L2,2027
8:30 A.M.
Naples, Florida
LET lT BE REMEMBERED that the Collier County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee met on this
date at 8:30 A.M. in a WOR(/NG SESS/ON in the Human Resources Conference Room in Naples, Florlda,
with the following Members present:
Present:Mary Waller - Chair
Steve Hruby - Vice Chair
John Harney
.Joe Trachtenberg by ZOOM
Litha Berger
Justin Emens
Commissioner Rick LoCastro
Excused:Jennifer Mitchell
Gary Hains
Unexcused: BernardoBarnhart
ALSO PRESENT:Kristi Sonntag, Director CHS
Jacob LaRow, Manger Housing & Grant Development CHS
Susan Golden, 5r. Grants Coordinator - CHS
Barbetta Hutchinson, Operations Coordinator - CHS
OTHERS PRESENT: Robin Sheley, Clerk's Office; Jackie Keay; Michael puchalla, HELp; SUsan Golden;
Michael Puchalla, HELP; Laura DeJohn, Johnson Engineering; Jackie Kaey, Citizen
1. CALITo ORDER
Mary Waller called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. She read the procedures to be followed and led in
the pledBe to the flag. Steve Hruby motioned forJoe Trachtenberg to be able to participate by ZOOM,
lustin Emens seconded, and the group voted 7-0 to approve.
2. RoTL CALI - CoMMITIEE MEMBERS AND STAFF
There were 7 active members present when the meeting started, therefore a quorum was
established.
3. APPRoVAL oF AGENDA AND MINUTES
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Packet Pg. 9 Attachment: AHAC Meeting MInutes (signed) - July 12, 2021 (20195 : Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - September 13, 2021)
b. A motion was made by Litha BerBer to approve the minutes from the meeting on June 7,
202L and was seconded by Steve Hruby. The motion was passedwith avote of 7-0.
4. INFoRMATIoNAL ITEMs
Housing Demand Model-This is normally updated in April. The cost of construction has
significantly increased, therefore the average cost ofhousing increased. Ourgoal wastoreduce
the number of affordable units each year. Last year we were 1,319 units short and this year
1,997. This could be due to the influx of people moving to Florida due to COVID. McDowell
wants to build affordable units in Collier, but as unit costs rise and FHFC caps remain in place,
developers are not going to be able to afford to build. Rick Locastro told the group that
everyone needs to realize that there will never be a high rise with 1,000 units that will be able to
rent for 5400 due to the high-end cost of Collier County land. ioe Trachtenberg said that the
county needs to give impact fee forgiveness to those wanting to build affordable housing. John
Harney said that the mindset of the people is that if someone gets a deferral. So shou ld they.
Deferrals are not apples to apples and should not create war in our neighborhoods. Jake told
thegroupthatthecurrentfinancingfordeferral programs isfor 10-15years. Weneedtolook
into areas that could convert commercial into residential.
a
a
b. Laura DeJohn, a Planner from Johnson Engineering spoke to the group about housing and land
development code updates. She gave updates on the below 5 initiatives:
1. Standards for affordable houslng applications - this has been completed and has been
passed by the BCC on February 9, 2021.
2. A new policy in GMP permitting affordable housing in commercial zoning projects
allowing 15 density units when converting from commercial to mixed use or residential.
3. lncreases allowed density in Activity Centers (intersection on major roadways)from 16
to 25 units per acre.
4. New or existing headquarter sites, industrial areas or employment centers may seek
designation as a Strategic Opportunity Site, allowing for a maximum of 25 u nits per acre
when not located in an activity center.
5. New policy in the transportation element of GMp stating higher density along transit
corridors is a priority
All of these are in the GMD/LDC process
the BCC.
They should be ready within 6 months for review by
Litha Berger made a motion that steve Hruby asked Laura to send the draft to himserf, John
Harney, and Gary Hains so that they may read it, mark-it for changes then send to Kristi for
compilation. Justin Emens seconded, and the group voted 7_0 in favor.
Litha Berger made a motion to approve the agenda which was seconded by John Harney.
The motion passed by a vote of 7-0.
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Packet Pg. 10 Attachment: AHAC Meeting MInutes (signed) - July 12, 2021 (20195 : Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - September 13, 2021)
c,Restoration ofthe Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Rule. The original rule is from
1968 and a HUD regulation. In 2015 the document went from identifying items into
implementing changes. lnJuneof thisyear, theterm "meaningful actions" was restored in
orderto address disparities in affordable housinB. CHS will take steps to comply in areas of
opportunity. Commentsregardingthisareopenuntiltheendofthemonth. This rule is pushing
codes, growth management departments, affordable housing, and zoning throughout the entire
country.
5. PUBLIC CoMMENT
Jacqualene Keay addressed the group regarding her excitement for affirmative action in affordable housing.
5he asked who will sustain the community when the Gen-zers and the Millennials are gone because they
cannot afford to live here.
Michael Puchalla spoke about dema nding affordable housing options in every project. Hetalkedabout
developers needing mu ltiple f und ing sou rces to build affordable housing. lmpact fee deferral programswill
not work for them because they have to be paid back. ln order for developers to build affordable housing
they m ust have the will and the ability to obtain financing. we need to pa rtner with ed ucation and services
to make sure we can build. He also gave an example for rental rates. A home that cost 5200,000 per unit to
build will rent for 51,384 a month. ln order to get a 10% return on their investment, a unit that costs
5155,000 will rent for 5948 a month.
6. DTSCUSSTON TTEMS
Mary Waller told the group that the Florida Board of Realtors are asking the government not to touch the
SadowskiTrust Fund. She asked AHACmembersto lookatthis andsee if theAHACshould supportit. Mary
asked staff to look into Senate Bill 1890 for their recommendation if the AHAC should support as well.
Litha Berger motioned for staff to resubmit the letter to Commissioner Taylor, copy her assistant and ask for
a response. Steve Hruby seconded, and the group voted 7-O in approval.
7. STAFF AND GENERAT COMMUNICATIONS
TheGolden Gate GolfCourse property will have422units. A land lease withthe landlord is cu rrently being
developed. Rural Neighborhoods have been selected to complete this project. The possibility of a Veteran's
Nursing Home being built on the site was discussed.
8. ADJOURN
There being no further business for the good of the County, Litha Berger motioned to adjourn the meetinB
at 10:01 a.m.; John Harney seconded, a nd the grou p agreed with a vote of 7_0.
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Packet Pg. 11 Attachment: AHAC Meeting MInutes (signed) - July 12, 2021 (20195 : Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - September 13, 2021)
NEXI MEETING: THE NEXT MEETING WII-L BE HELD AUGUST 2, 2021, AT 8:30 A.M.
Location: Training Room located in Building B, 3303 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida
CoLLIER CouNTy AFFoRDABT E Hous!NG ADVtsoRy
CoMMTTTEE
Mary Chai
The foregoing Minutes were approved by Committee Chair on
submitted" l_l OR "os omended" | 1.
202L, " as1
I
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Packet Pg. 12 Attachment: AHAC Meeting MInutes (signed) - July 12, 2021 (20195 : Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - September 13, 2021)