Local Planning Agency discussion and/or action Re: An Ordinance of the City of Sunrise, Florida, Amending Chapter 16 “Land Development Code” by Amending Article V “District Regulations,” Section 16-101 “Planned Unit Development (PUD) District” to authorize requests for reduced minimum floor area for certain affordable housing projects; providing for conflict; providing for severability; providing for inclusion in the city code; and providing for an effective date. City Manager Mark Lubelski. Shannon Ley, Director of Community Development.

Pursuant to Chapter 163.3174(4)(c), Florida Statutes, the City Commission (acting as the Local Planning Agency) is required to hold a duly advertised public hearing in order to review and make recommendations to the governing body as to the consistency of a proposed amendment to the City's Land Development Code with the adopted Comprehensive Plan. There is not an anticipated increased financial impact on the cost of residential housing as a result of the proposed Land Development Code revision.

The City has established the Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Planned Development District (PDD) to encourage new development and redevelopment. These districts allow for project specific design standards through a rezoning process to create high-quality site plans.

Affordable housing projects processed under the Live Local Act are required to follow the base standards of the PUD zoning district. Projects processed per the Live Local Act are exempt from the rezoning process and therefore, are not eligible to request project specific design standards. These projects can still qualify for affordable housing waivers for some design standards as prescribed within the PUD district, such as reduced parking and other specific standards, if justification is provided and a commitment to keep the units affordable (for households earning no more than 80% of the area median income) for at least 30 years.

Minimum floor area requirements have been identified as a potential barrier to affordable housing projects within the PUD and it is recognized that certain allowances are necessary to promote the provision of affordable housing.

This proposed amendment to the City of Sunrise Land Development Code provides the opportunity for affordable housing projects to request up to a 15% reduction in the minimum unit size (floor area). Currently, only projects processed through the full PUD rezoning process can request smaller unit sizes through project specific design standards.

The proposed Land Development Code amendment is consistent with the Goals, Objectives and Policies of the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare of the City’s residents.

For more information on this item, please contact the Community Development Department staff member identified below.