Board open to exploring county housing master plan on district surplus land
Summary
Board discussed a county master‑plan proposal that could use district property for mixed workforce and affordable housing; members asked about legal limits, eligibility rules for critical‑need personnel and whether the district would become a landlord.
Charlotte County staff briefed the school board on a county master‑plan that would place a shelter, affordable and workforce housing on land that overlaps district property. The board discussed options ranging from mixed‑use (workforce plus affordable) to housing‑only tracks and asked staff to continue exploratory talks with county planners and developers.
Staff said affordable housing generally serves households earning less than 80% of area median income (AMI) and that they had computed AMI for Charlotte County at about $94,800 in the discussion. Board members asked whether the district could legally reserve units specifically for district employees or other "critical‑need personnel." Staff and board counsel flagged that many affordable‑housing programs base eligibility on household income and a waiting‑list/points system rather than on employer status; if the district wanted reserved units, ownership or long‑term lease structure and legal protections would need to be negotiated and vetted.
Members also asked about timeline and risk: staff described a multi‑year planning horizon (4–6 years for a typical master‑plan and development process) and said the county had asked whether the district wanted to continue exploring the option. Staff recommended surveying employees to determine actual interest; board members agreed to pursue additional information, legal analysis and developer discussions before any commitment.
Attribution: Statements are taken from staff and board members who spoke at the Dec. 16 workshop.
