BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Affordable housing developers with the Sandcastles Foundation finally received city commission approval of a revised site plan to build 22 homes at the end of North Westmoreland Street.
The commission previously rejected a rezoning request and another version of the site plan that was compatible with the current zoning but not compliant with the land development regulations.
The latest version of the site plan swaps a nonconforming office/community center with another single-family home and moves the sidewalk to the approved side of the street.
Last month, the developers and their attorney met with the commission during a regular meeting where everyone could speak more frankly about the project and get additional questions answered.
Before the site plan and preliminary plat were unanimously approved June 20, developers repeated their assurances that the affordable housing project would remain so for 50 years per their lending agreement with the state, even if the property ownership changes. Florida Housing Finance Corporation also has strict rules for the inspection and maintenance of these developments. There are requirements for tenants as well, including no felony convictions.
“Sandcastles really wants to be a good member of this community and provide something to the community that it needs,” said attorney Robert Williams. “This will be something that we can all be proud of. Not just today, we can be proud of this five and 10 years down the road. That’s our goal.”
One of the city’s concerns revolved around property taxes, which Sandcastles Foundation — as a nonprofit — would not be required to pay. A legal agreement will be drafted committing the foundation to payments in lieu of taxes on each home based on the valuations of the property appraiser. These will not be homesteaded properties either, so they are not eligible for tax exemptions. The city will receive more revenue per rental home than if they were individually owned.
Williams also said they were willing to repair any street damage resulting from construction.
“If we tear up the road, we will fix the road. We understand that’s our obligation,” he said.
Residents in the area had previously expressed concerns about traffic, road repair and stormwater runoff.
While the new neighborhood will generate more traffic, the city’s traffic study did not find that road improvements would be necessary.
The project’s stormwater plan has already been permitted by the water management district.
