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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 08-26-2009 AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE August 26, 2009 Conference Room #3 Meeting convened at 3:36 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Louise Hubbard, Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council Diane Wesloski, St. Lucie County Citizen Rhonda Blakey, Workforce Solutions Mike Smith, Riverside National Bank MEMBERS ABSENT: Stephanie Morgan, All About You David Povio, VAP Builders, Inc. Skeet Jernigan, Community & Economic Development Council of South FL Kenneth Fuchs, SDZ Construction Al Rivett, St. Lucie INTACT Scott Wingfield, Realtors Association of St. Lucie Rick Carreno, St. Lucie County Fire District OTHERS PRESENT: Jessica Parrish, St. Lucie County Community Services Dina Prestridge, St. Lucie County Community Services Heather Young, St. Lucie County Assistant County Attorney Britton Wilson, St. Lucie County Growth Management Chris Lestrange, St. Lucie County Code Compliance Manager/Building Official MINUTES Ms. Wesloski announced the minutes for the June 24, 2009 are for informational purposes only. There was no quorum. REVIEW OF THE PERMIT PROCESS ~ CHRIS LESTRANGE, CODE COMPLIANCE MANAGER Ms. Wesloski stated that at the last meeting the committee discussed prioritizing expedited permitting for affordable housing. Mrs. Parrish said the committee wanted an overview of the entire permitting process. It is required by State statute to review the permitting process to see if accommodations can be made for affordable housing projects. Ms. Wesloski introduced Mr. Chris Lestrange, Code Compliance Manager. Mr. Lestrange explained the permitting process is the same whether the project is for single family new construction, renovation, or major rehabilitation. All applications go through an initial review, then through the Zoning Department. Other departments may also need to review certain types of permits. The Zoning Department will look for zoning and land development code compliance. Once the permit clears Zoning review, it will go to a Building Plans Examiner to be reviewed for compliance with the AHAC Minutes August 26, 2009 Page 2 Florida Building Code. If the application passes review, a permit is issued. If the project is multi-family application, it will also be reviewed by the fire district for approval. Mr. Lestrange explained why some permits are not issued in a timely manner. This is due to incomplete applications that are submitted. It may take weeks for permitting to receive the correct information from the contractor. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Lestrange for suggestions that could be passed onto the affordable housing developers and contractors. Mr. Lestrange suggested the applicant meet with him or his staff to review the application to ensure it is complete prior to applying. Mrs. Parrish stated that previously a stamp was used to mark building permit applications that were part of housing programs and asked if this could still be used. Mr. Lestrange said that would be fine. Ms. Wesloski asked whether the stamp would expedite a permit. Mr. Lestrange stated that currently there is no policy that expedites permits. In the last six months the County has discussed expediting green building, commercial construction, and housing. He expressed concern that if every project requires expedited permitting, eventually there will not be any expedited permitting. Mr. Smith stated his concern for the deadlines of government programs and permitting was taking a very long time. He also said that expedited permitting is not an issue now because the economy has slowed down, but it may become an issue again in the future. Mr. Smith asked whether a workshop or meeting could be organized with participating contractors. Mrs. Parrish stated that our contractors could be required to attend a meeting with permitting staff. Ms. Wesloski asked Ms. Young whether a resolution is the instrument that should be used to enforce expedited permitting. Ms. Young stated that a resolution could be used and she was envisioning a resolution that included all of the committee’s recommendations. Ms. Young said the language in the resolution could state “county funded projects” so it would not apply to everyone. Ms. Hubbard stated that the stamp was a good idea because it would visually identify a project as being affordable housing. Mr. Smith asked whether it was possible to add something so projects could be identified for reporting purposes. Mr. Lestrange stated permits could be searched by date applied and date issued. He also said he may be able to add a special permit type to the database so affordable housing projects could be tracked through the permit process. Ms. Wesloski asked if housing staff would still be on a short timeline if small rehabilitation was just being done. Mrs. Parrish said the grants have deadlines where funds have to be committed and expended very quickly or have to give money back to the state. AHAC Minutes August 26, 2009 Page 3 Ms. Wesloski stated that the resolution to expedite permitting for affordable housing should be done now as opposed to later, in preparation for market changes or a disaster. This would ensure the resolution is in effect. Ms. Hubbard asked if a limited resolution could be done for the HOME Program and the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Ms. Wesloski expressed concern that a limited resolution wouldn’t be done until January. Mr. Lestrange asked Ms. Parrish if contractors have a time limit on applying for permits and completing the work. Ms. Parrish stated that the Notice to Proceed is issued at contract signing. Contractors doing minor rehabilitation have 90 days to complete work, moderate rehabilitation projects are to be completed in 120 days. Mr. Lestrange asked if contractors are paid up front. Ms. Parrish stated that they are not. Mr. Lestrange stated that by law, upon contract signing contractors are able to receive 10% up front and have 30 days to pull a permit. Ms. Hubbard asked if housing has a standard set of approved plans. Ms. Parrish stated that housing did not, but that was something that was being worked on before the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan (NSP) began and would eventually like to have a set of plans. The committee decided that the affordable housing stamp would be put into effect immediately and a meeting would be conducted with housing contractors and the Building Department. The next meeting is scheduled for September 30, 2009 at 3:30 p.m., and the topic is Impact Fees.