Workforce housing is generally understood to mean affordable housing for households with earned income that is insufficient to secure quality housing in reasonable proximity to the workplace. Source for that comment? Wikipedia. Workforce housing is the term that is being used now for the 216 unit apartment complex that has been proposed at the corner of Lake Worth and Boutwell Roads in Our Park of Commerce. The only "commerce" going on is that for the benefit of the developer.
More rentals in Lake Worth?
The project consists of a three (3) part request which includes the following:
- A Major Amendment to an RPD to establish uses permitted in the RPD, development standards for the RPD, and to incorporate master development plan for the project. The developer is offering $525,000 in community benefits to get this MAJOR amendment.
- Approval of the Site Plan;
- Community Benefit review to allow additional height/stories above the first two.
Now let's see--the last time we had affordable housing, ooops, workforce housing approved, it was on Dixie Highway. We know how that one went.
12 comments:
Under this Commission, we have had more low income rentals ushered into Lake Worth than at any other time in our history.Low income rentals and all of the accompanying problems that they bring, THANKS FOR NOTHING AZZHOLE COMMISSION!!!Wonder when Ric Bradshaw's storm troopers will be knocking on my door,,,,
This is not a low income rental complex. The one bedroom units will rent for $900 a month. This area near the Park of Commerce will never be high income residential property given its location. The owners will run the property and they have provided over $500,000 in additional improvements including beautiful landscaping, trees, a lake and wall that will surround the complex. The view from Lake Avenue looking at the complex should be very impressive. The neighbors surrounding the project were in favor of it and there was absolutely no objection by anyone at last night's meeting.
No. It's a workforce rental project. More rentals John? Really? And what neighbors? Are you talking about those who live on 2nd Avenue North? The project on Dixie looked good too. The Lofts are doing very well, aren't they? Should our entire city be a rental?
Is there anything that any of the boards could do that would make you happy? You constantly trash everyone who tries to help though their own volunteer time and then after hearing what is presented, listening to staff (did staff recommend approval or disapproval?) hearing the benefits and weighing the pros (new construction in Lake Worth, jobs, property taxes to the city (not the CRA which is your other favorite whipping boy) and all you can do is bellyache.
I don't like rentals either, but try to get high end residential to come here when all you get is your type of consternation.
At least the rental property will be taxed at full appraisal with no exemptions and if 1 bedroom apts go for $900 a month, how many poor people will be able to afford that?
Face it, you just have a hard on for any type of developer. You have shown it time and time again.
I HAVE A HARD ON--for more rentals. I have a HARD ON for all you hypocrites who trash anyone and everyone for all the poor people who come here when you are a part of the problem by approving MORE RENTALS. Sounds like the Pugh property--that developer also says that they will pay taxes. I will believe it all when I see it.
Staff is going to recommend anything if it falls within something that legally can be done. They are not exactly into lawsuits and it is not their job to say, "I think more rentals are a bad idea."
Come up with some BETTER projects--NO MORE RENTALS. And take your crack about me being against ANY DEVELOPMENT and STUFF IT. That is another BIG FAT LIE.
The problem is you can't take any criticism on any decision that you make.
Developers right now are building because of GRANTS and government subsidies. Normal projects are not going to exist while developers play these games. And of course, your allowing it all to happen.
The CRA has been the biggest problem for the state of our city,,, They take govt money and build all this affordable housing. Next comes the P&Z board that now approves more phony housing projects,,,they are responsible for this crappy looking city. Can it get any worse in LW? I guess so. We have a commission that approves it all.
The CRA just made it possible for 165 brand new dwellings to replace either slum, abandoned houses, vacant overgrown lots or renovated structurally sound homes and resold them or rented them out to background checked pre-qualified families and individuals.
What would be there if the CRA hadn't stuck their necks out for the benefit of Lake Worth's most neglected neighborhoods is more of the dilapidated and abandoned houses than what you now complain about..... by about 130 times.
I think they are the only thing keeping this city from totally sucking. Unlike city hall, they are functional.
How many? Does this include the rentals down on the railroad tracks that have not yet been built? The vice mayor mentioned recently about the number of crimes happening in these newly built affordable houses. any comment on that?
Would I have liked something different on this site? Sure, but we don't control what a private piece of property can be used for if it meets the zoning code. So if you do not want more rentals what do you propose we do to get other types of development? Remember this project is being built with private money. The value of this property will add to our city's tax base and the folks who live here will hopefully shop downtown. The location of this property limits it's use but can anyone tell me how to get other investment in our city?
Thanks, John. As this is across the lake from where I live, we all are appalled. Having said that, I just don't see how we can attract any different sort of project so long as the government dishes out incentives for workforce/affordable housing and/or rentals. I worry that our city instead of being 64% rentals will end up 80% and that these projects will eventually bring blight and go down hill. Can you even imagine what will happen when the economy (I should have said IF the economy) turns around--more illegals invading our city once again...more problems...more slum...more blight. I don't know the answer but right now with the corporations and hedge funds buying up properties to rent out, we are in a bad position.
Is there any way of limiting the number of rental units being built in our city? Can you ever say NO without some sort of law? I guess not. What a dilemma. You are giving this project WAIVERS. Can it still be turned down?
It's very discouraging when I hear we will get tax money. What about compromising our city?
Lynn, can you post some pictures of the project?
How is the community benefit being determined, since we don't have the new LDRs in effect yet and the CB component of the new LDRs is weak and subjective (in my opinion)?
John-why doesn't your board press the commission to enact a ZIP? Why haven't the LDRs been approved yet? Are we just going to keep going with old zoning after all the work that was invested in LDRs that complement the Comp Plan? How long does it take to make the changes required by the charter amendment and get it all on the books so investors can have some confidence?
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