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Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'City knew this was wrong': New 8-story Boynton affordable housing complex rankles neighbors
BOYNTON BEACH — Claiming that a new residential complex focusing on affordable housing would increase traffic, obstruct views, create noise and negatively affect their overall quality of life, a neighboring Boynton Beach community organized a recent City Hall protest. Residents of the Los Mangos community made it clear — they don't want any part of the 80-foot-plus, eight-story building that would be the highest in its immediate area. Plans for the Dune, which would have a north and south section, include a 398-unit apartment complex with 2,595 square feet of commercial space on South Federal Highway (south), along with 38 townhomes on the same street (north). The building, at 2755 S. Federal Highway between SE 217th Terrace and SE 28th Circle, would be part of the Live Local Act. Affiliated Development, a South Florida firm, said it wants to address Florida's workforce housing crisis through 'the creation of thousands of newly constructed luxury units offered at attainable rents' and 'build mixed-use multifamily projects targeting unmet demand in underserved areas within the market.' The Live Local Act, enacted in March 2023, is a state housing strategy designed to increase affordable housing options, mainly for those who want to live in the communities where they work. It includes helping the developers with funding, incentives and land use reforms in exchange for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. Under the act, cities must approve all developments that meet the bill's criteria. About 60% of the units would be designated for workforce housing, aimed at offering accessible housing to middle-income families making 120% of the area median income. 'The Live Local Act overrides local zoning laws for mixed-use developments when at least 40% of the units are affordable,' Boynton Beach Deputy City Attorney Stacey Weinger said. 'Developers can build on land zoned for commercial or industrial purposes and bypass the city's restrictions on density, height and use for otherwise affordable housing projects.' The developer plans to build at maximum density, with heights at around 85 feet — a stark contrast from their neighbors next door. The south phase of the project was approved for development by city staff in February 2024. In accordance with Live Local Act requirements, the project is set to have about 60% of units reserved for workforce housing. The cost of rent for workforce housing units has not been established. The scale of the project, however, concerns the Los Mangos residents. During an April 15 city commission meeting, residents from the Los Mangos community organized a peaceful protest to oppose the development. They call themselves 'Save Los Mangos.' 'This burgeoning coalition is here to state that we vehemently protest the Dune apartment build, and similar Live Local projects like it,' said Dave Patterson, president of the Los Mangos Property Owners Association. 'We all support affordable housing … the city should come up with an innovative plan for affordable home ownership.' Los Mangos is a small residential community in Boynton Beach, established in 1977, described by residents as 'park-like.' Located on South Federal Highway, the neighborhood consists of low-density family homes, surrounded by 38 acres of greenery. Residents want city officials take action against proposed legislative bills amending the Live Local Act, limit building heights to 45 feet, and create a "Good Neighbor Policy" between City staff, the Commission, the developer and the citizens to ensure regular communication, transparency and giving notice (for new developments) in real-time. Dressed in green vests resembling construction workers, members of Save Los Mangos attended the April meeting and packed City Hall chambers. More than a dozen residents shared concerns with city commissioners. Francis Saunders, resident of Los Mangos and member of the committee, said she feels the neighborhood has been treated unfairly. 'The city knew this build was wrong and knew the impact it would have on us, but couldn't be bothered to let us know or to fight for us,' she said. BOYNTON NEWS: Travis Hunter's family, friends celebrate him going to Jacksonville in NFL Draft Benna Lay, homeowner in Los Mangos for 25 years, expressed deep concern regarding the height and density of the new development, calling it 'ridiculous.' Michael and Kelley Salvatorios, Boynton residents for 10 years, said the new development will disrupt the lifestyle of Los Mangos residents. And with a baby on the way, the soon-to-be parents fear the noise and commotion the new development will bring. BOYNTON NEWS: Town Square project is still only half-finished and new developer wants more money 'If they're going to begin demolition in two weeks and I'm going to have a newborn, it's not ideal,' Michael Salvatorios said. Another resident, Cheryl Campobasso, implored commissioners to fight against Live Local legislation, saying, 'What will it do to our quality of life, our safety, our privacy, our property values? … Our city has rolled over and not fought back; other Florida municipalities have. 'What have you done to protect us? What are you going to do to protect the city? Please, help us save Los Mangos,' she said. With the Live Local Act becoming a statewide issue, Los Mangos residents are not the only ones concerned. However, Weinger noted that officials are restricted from rejecting all 'compliant projects,' despite residents' concerns. She recommends all concerns be directed to state officials. 'I understand the Live Local Act has created significant concerns for many Florida communities and the residents in this room,' Weinger said. 'The preemption aspects of the legislation can be frustrating for residents and local officials who deeply value their community input in shaping the neighborhood's future, and it's difficult when decisions about development that will directly impact your daily lives, your traffic patterns and community character are taken out of your hands.' The Dune project currently has no start date. However, the committee plans to protest all developments under the Live Local Act, saying the April protest will 'lay the groundwork for all future Live Local projects." Sign up for our Post on Boynton Beach weekly newsletter, delivered every Thursday! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boynton Beach community opposes Live Local Act apartment complex
Miami Herald
25-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
New Fort Lauderdale apartment will offer ‘luxury' affordable housing to city's workforce
First responders and local government employees will get first dibs on a new 'luxury' workforce housing development that recently broke ground in Fort Lauderdale. Affiliated Development, a South Florida-based firm that specializes in public-private partnerships, announced last week it began construction on The Era, an 8-story multifamily apartment building located on South Andrews Avenue between SW 21st Street and SW 22nd Street. The building, backed by tax incentives, will be completed in 2027, said Nick Rojo, an Affiliated co-founder. The Era will dedicate over half of its 400 units for workforce housing residents earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income. Unit prices will vary depending on residents' incomes, Rojo said. The lowest rates will be about $700 below market rate; the highest will be about $400 below market rate. Prospective residents can apply for units closer to The Era's completion, with preference given to first responders and local government workers. The Era is situated close to the county's largest employers, namely Broward Health, the federal courthouse, Port Everglades, the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, the Broward County Convention Center and downtown Fort Lauderdale. 'It'll give them the opportunity to live where they serve, so to speak, and have a nice apartment,' Rojo said. Construction began after Affiliated secured tax incentives from the City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County along with a $80 million first mortgage from the Bank of Montreal, an equity investment from Affiliated Housing Impact Fund, LP and several private family offices. The City of Fort Lauderdale agreed to reimburse 100% of the city taxes Affiliated pays for 15 years. Broward County agreed to a 30-year deal to reimburse about half of the taxes, or $5.5 million. Developments like The Era are 'impossible' without public support, Rojo said, adding that the revenue made back from reimbursements is what allows The Era to provide its upscale amenities while keeping rates low. Residents will have access to a parking garage, co-working space, bike-share program, coffee bar, fitness center, sauna, cold plunge, mini golf, dog park and a roof top observation deck with views of downtown. The Era is being built by Fort Lauderdale-based general contractor Moss and Associated and was designed by architecture firm A+R. 'Our goal is to create a living experience that is the same as any other luxury, class-A apartment building. You have all the features and amenities you'd otherwise have at a market-rate building. And the way we accomplish that is through incentives,' Rojo said. 'You can't do what we're doing without participation from the city, the state or the county. It doesn't work.' Local government officials are celebrating the partnership as a way to help address the area's housing calamity. 'At a time where the cost of living is making housing less affordable for many of our residents, government and the private sector must come together to undertake creative solutions,' Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said in a statement. 'As mayor, I am excited to collaborate with Affiliated Development to bring high-end attainably priced housing to the south portion of our downtown.' Affiliated is behind several similar developments in the region, including Tropic Hollywood, where half of its 200 units will be for workforce housing and The Spruce in West Palm Beach, where 43% of its 270 units will be for workforce housing. The ongoing development efforts come as an affordable housing crisis continues embroiling South Florida, where residents are the most rent-burdened people in the country. More than three-quarters of South Floridians struggle to pay for usual household expenses, according to the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. Last year, the Sun Sentinel reported, Broward County approved a 10-year plan to create housing to address an estimated shortage of nearly 73,000 affordable houses and 74,000 rental apartments countywide. 'There's an incredible need for these types of projects, and unfortunately, it just requires a lot of work and public support,' Rojo said. 'These deals are are to put together, it's hard to make the numbers work, but I'm glad Broward County and the City of Fort Lauderdale have recognized this is a problem and are doing what they can to help fix it.'
