§ 12-47. Sumter County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.

(a)

Establishment, purpose and intent. There is hereby created the Sumter County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "committee" or "advisory committee"), whose members shall be appointed by resolution of the board of county commissioners. The local action adopted pursuant to F.S. § 420.9072 which creates the advisory committee and appoints the advisory committee members must name at least eight (8) but not more than eleven (11) committee members and specify their terms. Six (6) members shall constitute a quorum. The committee may not take formal actions unless a quorum is present, but may meet to hear presentations if duly noticed. The committee must consist of one (1) representative from at least six (6) of the categories listed below:

(1)

A citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home building industry in connection with affordable housing;

(2)

A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage banking industry in connection with affordable housing;

(3)

A citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing;

(4)

A citizen who is designated as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing;

(5)

A citizen who is a for-profit provider of affordable housing;

(6)

A citizen who is a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing;

(7)

A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing;

(8)

A citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency of the county;

(9)

A citizen chosen by the board of county commissioners from any profession or occupation;

(10)

A citizen who represents employers within the jurisdiction;

(11)

A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.

All members must be full-time residents of Sumter County, Florida.

With regard to the occupation requirements noted above, if an individual cannot be found in the noted occupations that has a "connection with affordable housing," then such and individual may be chosen without regard to any connection with affordable housing.

(b)

Term. Six (6) initial members shall serve three-year terms following their appointment, while the remaining initial members shall serve two-year terms following their appointment. All members or their successors may thereafter be appointed for two-year terms at the sole discretion of the board of county commissioners. If a member is unable to finish his or her term, his or her replacement shall serve the remainder of the departed member's existing term before being eligible for an appointment to a new two-year term. Alternates shall serve a term of two (2) years.

(c)

Meetings. Meetings shall be held monthly for the first year of committee existence and quarterly, or more frequently, as necessary thereafter. The committee shall comply with the Florida Government in the Sunshine Law, the Florida Public Records Laws including F.S. ch. 119, and the special provisions regarding notice of plan considerations found in F.S. ch. 420. Minutes of the meeting will be kept by Sumter County staff and the meetings shall be recorded via audio recording.

(d)

Officers. The committee shall annually elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, and such other officers as it deems necessary. The chairperson is charged with the duty of conducting the meeting in a manner consistent with Florida law and Roberts Rules of Order.

(e)

Support. Administrative and facility support for advisory committee shall be provided by the board of county commissioners and housing services staff.

(f)

Duties. The advisory committee shall have the following duties:

(1)

Review established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and the adopted county comprehensive plan, and recommend specific initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value. The recommendations may include the modification or repeal of existing policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations or plan provisions; those creations of exceptions applicable to affordable housing; or the adoption of new policies, procedures, regulations, ordinances or plan provisions. Triennially, the advisory committee shall make recommendations on affordable housing incentives in the following areas to the board of county commissioners:

a.

The processing of approvals of development orders or permits, for affordable housing projects is expedited to a greater degree than other projects, as provided in F.S. § 163.3177(6)(f)3.

b.

The modification of impact-fee requirements, including reduction or waiver of fees and alternative methods of fee payment for affordable housing.

c.

The allowance of flexibility in densities for affordable housing.

d.

The reservation of infrastructure capacity for housing for very-low-income persons, low-income persons, and moderate-income persons.

e.

The allowance of affordable accessory residential units in residential zoning districts.

f.

The reduction of parking and setback requirements for affordable housing.

g.

The allowance of flexible lot configurations, including zero-lot-line configurations for affordable housing.

h.

The modification of street requirements for affordable housing.

i.

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.

j.

The preparation of a printed inventory of locally owned public lands suitable for affordable housing.

k.

The support of development near transportation hubs and major employment centers and mixed-use developments.

The committee recommendations must also include other affordable housing incentives identified by the advisory committee. The committee shall make recommendations approved by a majority of its membership at a public hearing. Notice of the time, date and place of the public hearing of the advisory committee to adopt final affordable housing incentive recommendations shall be advertised in a newspaper of greatest general circulation in Sumter County.

(2)

The committee shall serve as the Community Development Block Grant Citizen Advisory Task Force (CATF), pursuant to F.S. § 290.046. The committee shall meet as the CATF as needed to review and monitor Community Development Block Grant projects consistent with the requirements of 73C-23.0041(5)(d), Florida Administrative Code.

(Ord. No. 2015-12, § 1(Exh. A), 7-28-15; Ord. No. 2016-07, § 3(Exh. A), 5-24-16)