The City of Tamarac has passed a resolution, on FIRST reading,
which would remove some covenants to a land use change. This concerns the Sabal Palm/Monterey golf course tracts.
The Board of County Commissioners approved changing the land use plan, from “Commercial Recreation” to “Residential”,
during heated discussions. In order to meet county requirements, and to offer something to affected residents, the County Commission put some “Covenants” in place.
One of the requirements imposed upon the developer, was an
“Affordable Housing” covenant. At the time that it was approved, the term “affordable housing” was no longer being used. WORKFORCE HOUSING was what was deemed necessary, and was what the Commission included.
Now, in yet another concession to the developer, Prestige Homes, the Mayor & Commissioners of Tamarac, plan on removing this requirement from consideration. It is obvious that the glasses that they are using to look at the future of Tamarac are in dire need of professional examination.
The real estate market WILL recover. Plans are already in the works to start the Main Street project. Home prices will rise again. The median price of a residence in Tamarac will break the $200,000. mark within 2 to 3 years. WORKFORCE HOUSING will, once again, be beyond the financial means of most of Tamarac’s working families.
If concessions must be made, perhaps the Mayor & Commissioners would consider adjusting the restrictions on profits on the resale of designated “workforce” or “affordable”
housing units. Requiring a 15 year time frame is a little harsh. If those who benefited in the purchase of workforce housing had a “profit limit” of 5%, that might be workable. Placing a minimum residency time limit would also help.
Such measures would assist city employees, teachers, and others, whose salaries have not increased with inflation. It would also ensure that they would maintain Tamarac residency,
adding to the stability of both our workforce and our neighbor-
hoods.
Tamarac officials need to consider more than Prestige’s bottom line.