Plantation council authorizes surplus of 150 N. Hiatus Road to Habitat for Humanity for workforce homeownership

The City of Plantation City Council voted Wednesday to authorize surplus of a vacant 1.3-acre parcel at 150 North Hiatus Road to Habitat for Humanity of Broward Inc. for development of fee-simple workforce housing.

City Chief Administrative Officer Jason Edemacher told the council the parcel — acquired decades ago for $10 from Gulfstream and located just north of an FPL substation — was appraised at just under $1 million. Administration presented a negotiated sale to Habitat aimed at producing ownership opportunities, estimating homes likely priced near $400,000 with financing and subsidies structured so monthly housing payments would not exceed roughly 30% of a household’s gross income.

The move implements council direction to prioritize ownership opportunities after years of multifamily rental development in Plantation. Edemacher described two appraisals, a model contract the city favored (based on the City of Sebastian), and a plan to coordinate applicant prioritization with Habitat, potentially giving preference to city employees and public-safety staff.

Habitat for Humanity representatives described how their model pairs mortgage financing, subsidy and homeowner training. Nancy Robbins, identified as Habitat’s CEO, and Adam Ferreri, who described the product and lending/servicing approach, said applicants participate in an education program and complete sweat-equity requirements (Habitat generally requires about 300 hours per family, with a typical minimum for families set at 150 hours). Robbins said Habitat’s product in Coral Springs is similar to what they would propose for Plantation and that their mortgage servicing and community supports aim to keep foreclosure rates low.

Council members and residents raised questions about the site’s adjacency to an electrical substation, the length and enforceability of affordability covenants, and whether proceeds would have to remain dedicated to public uses if the city later chose to sell the land. City staff said they had not yet prepared a contract and would work with the city attorney to address deed or grant restrictions and any reverter language. City Attorney described the need to analyze the conveyance restrictions before finalizing legal terms.

Resident speakers urged council approval and asked for a long-term affordability covenant or reverter clause so the land or proceeds would return to the city if Habitat failed to develop the property as proposed. Several council members asked administration to seek a covenant term longer than 30 years; staff indicated municipalities commonly use 15–30 year covenants and that the city could choose a longer duration. The council amended the motion to require Habitat and city administration to present a draft agreement and a presentation to the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) before the contract is executed.

Council President Reinstein called for the motion and a vote after the amendment; roll call recorded Council members Anderson, Andrew, Fadgen, Horland and Reinstein voting in favor. The amended authorization directs staff to continue negotiations, present a draft agreement to AHAC, and return to the council for final contract approval and execution.

What this means locally: If completed as proposed, the project would produce a small number of fee-simple homes targeted to workforce households; staff and Habitat said the covenant and resale controls would aim to preserve affordability for subsequent buyers. The city and Habitat still must finalize the contract language, affordability term and the mechanism for applicant preference and selection.

Next steps: Administration will draft the agreement incorporating council direction (including reverter language and the requested AHAC review) and return with a final contract for council approval before any land transfer or agreement execution.