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Largo staff present Affordable Housing Advisory Committee recommendations, flag impact‑fee evaluation
Summary
City staff presented the AHAC annual report, recommending improved data on expedited permitting, routine reviews of site‑plan timeframes, and a review of parkland/sewer impact fee waivers ahead of the existing waiver's 2028 evaluation.
City staff presented the 2025 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee report and sought commission feedback on proposed incentive topics. The committee was convened under state statute because the city received a Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) allocation threshold; staff said the committee follows state guidance on stakeholder representation and reviews 11 incentive topics annually.
Staff highlighted two new recommendations: collect comparative data from other local governments on site‑plan and permitting timeframes and establish a routine process to review those timeframes internally so the city can identify process choke points. Staff noted the city has contracted Plant Moran to review overall site plan and permitting processes, with a report expected in January.
The committee asked staff to re‑examine impact fee waivers that currently exempt parkland impact fees for units at or below 80% of area median income; that waiver has a five‑year window that will be reviewed in 2028. Staff explained parkland fees vary by housing type (single‑family, multifamily, condo, mobile home), single‑family fees are the highest and the city’s parkland and sewer impact fees are supported by nexus studies. Staff said sewer impact fees are meter‑size based and that legal questions remain about whether sewer fee waivers are permissible if bond covenants exist.
On accessory dwelling units (ADUs), staff reported the property appraiser created a code to differentiate ADUs for billing and that environmental services raised cost and connection complexities; the committee supported allowing ADU owners to choose whether to have a second solid‑waste account. The committee also recommended exploring administrative reductions to setbacks from alleys where engineering and underground utilities allow.
Staff emphasized many suggested changes would require code amendments routed through the planning board and back to commission. Commissioners asked for additional analysis on how the current parkland waiver has performed and whether extending or modifying waivers would affect parkland acquisition funds; staff said the committee will revisit those issues before bringing formal ordinance proposals.
