The purpose of the Affordable Housing (AHD)
District is to provide the opportunity within certain areas of the
Town for the development of high-density housing for families of moderate
income; and further, to do so with sensitivity to the historic and
aesthetic character of the Town's existing neighborhoods. Towards
that end, the Planning Board shall have the authority to amend certain
setback and other specifications in order to ensure cost efficiencies
and design that furthers the Town's goals of providing quality workforce
housing. Homes located within the Affordable Housing District are
intended to be affordable in perpetuity. The amendments set forth
in Local Law No. 13-2004 apply only to development in an AHD District
after June 1, 2004.
[Amended 8-12-2008 by L.L. No. 9-2008; 8-26-2014 by L.L. No.
10-2014]
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall,
for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings as herein defined.
Any word or term not noted below shall be used with a meaning as defined
in Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language,
unabridged (or latest edition).
Includes real property holdings and equity, personal property
(car, boat, etc.) valued in excess of $10,000, savings, cash, IRAs,
401k, and any federally recognized tax-deferred vehicles.
The consumer price index as published by the United States
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the New York
Metropolitan area.
The transfer or transfers of any interest in real property
by any method, including but not limited to, sale, exchange, assignment,
surrender, mortgage foreclosure, transfer in lieu of foreclosure,
option, trust indenture, taking by eminent domain, conveyance upon
liquidation or by a receiver, or transfer or acquisition of a controlling
interest in any entity with an interest in real property. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, conveyance of real property shall not include a conveyance
made pursuant to devise, bequest or inheritance; the creation, modification,
extension, spreading, severance, consolidation, assignment, transfer,
release or satisfaction of a mortgage; a mortgage subordination agreement,
a mortgage severance agreement or an instrument given to perfect or
correct a recorded mortgage; or a release of lien of tax pursuant
to this article or the Internal Revenue Code.
The Government Liaison Officer or other employee of the Town
as designated by the Town Board who is responsible for the development,
implementation and coordination of the housing registry and affordable
housing initiatives for the Town of Southold.
[Added 5-3-2016 by L.L.
No. 4-2016; amended 8-23-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016]
The adult member of the family who is the head of the household
for purposes of determining income eligibility and rent.
The family and live-in aide, if applicable.
A family registered with the Town of Southold Housing Registry
whose aggregate annual income, including the total of all current
annual income of all family members (excluding the earnings of working
family members under age 18) from any source whatsoever at the time
of application for the purchase or lease of an affordable housing
unit or the purchase of an unimproved affordable lot, does not exceed
120% of the HUD median income for the County of Suffolk.
A dwelling unit reserved for rent or sale to a moderate-income family and for which the maximum monthly rent (excluding utilities) or the maximum initial sales price does not exceed the maximum rent or maximum sales price set forth in § 280-30D hereof.
An unimproved lot reserved for sale to a moderate-income family and for which the maximum initial sales price does not exceed the maximum sales price set forth in § 280-30D hereof. Said "unimproved lot" shall mean a vacant parcel of real property designated as a lot on a filed map, inclusive of all utilities brought to the property line.
The net worth of an applicant shall include all liquid assets
less debt. Liquid assets shall not include sheltered assets, trusts,
individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401ks and all other federally
recognized tax-deferred vehicles.
An improvement to a lot or a moderate-income family dwelling
unit which cannot be removed and which provides value to the property
above and beyond repairs done to maintain the property in good condition.
A permanent fixed improvement must be approved in advance of construction
or installation in writing by the Government Liaison Officer.
[Amended 5-3-2016 by L.L.
No. 4-2016; 8-23-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016]
The address listed on a person's federal income tax return.
The employee of the Town who is responsible for the development,
implementation and coordination of the housing registry and affordable
housing initiatives for the Town of Southold.
[Amended 8-23-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016]
AHD Districts shall be established by the Town Board on parcels
of land that have been identified through the accepted principles
of Smart Growth planning as being appropriate and desirable locations
for affordable housing. Such locations include, but are not limited
to: land within Hamlet Locus Zones, as may be determined by the Town
Board; land within walking distance of services, shops, schools, and
public transportation; land that adjoins existing centers of business
and residential development (as opposed to land adjoining farm and
open fields); and other locations where the project has been shown
to meet a demonstrable need. AHD Districts shall be designated by
Town Board resolution after a public hearing thereon, upon 10 days'
notice thereof by publication in the official Town newspapers.
[Amended 8-26-2014 by L.L. No. 10-2014; 5-3-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016]
In the AHD District, no building or premises shall be used and
no building or part of a building shall be erected or altered which
is arranged, intended or designed to be used, in whole or in part,
for any use except the following:
A.
Permitted uses.
(1)
Owner-occupied moderate-income family dwelling unit ("MIFDU"), in
accordance with the following requirements:
B.
Accessory uses.
(2)
Accessory apartments are permitted only within owner-occupied MIFDUs, subject to the written approval of the Government Liaison Officer, the issuance of a rental permit in accordance with § 280-13D and the following conditions:
(a)
The accessory apartment shall be located within the MIFDU.
(b)
Only one accessory apartment shall be permitted in a MIFDU.
(c)
The owner shall occupy either the principal dwelling or the
accessory apartment as the owner's primary residence.
(d)
The accessory apartment shall only be occupied by an eligible family or individual as defined by § 280-30C.
(e)
The term of the lease for an accessory apartment shall be at
least one year.
(f)
The accessory apartment shall be at least 350 square feet and
shall not exceed a square footage equal to one half of the total square
footage of the MIFDU.
(g)
The accessory apartment shall have only one bathroom.
(h)
A minimum of one off-street parking space shall be provided.
(i)
Not more than 50% of the dwelling units in an approved affordable
housing district shall have accessory apartments.
[Amended 8-26-2014 by L.L. No. 10-2014; 8-23-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016]
A.
No building or premises shall be used and no building or part thereof
shall be erected or altered in the AHD District unless the same conforms
to the following Bulk, Area and Parking Schedule:
|
Bulk, Area and Parking Schedule
| |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Requirements
|
MIFDU Owner-Occupied
|
MIFDU Tenant-Occupied
| |
|
Total lot area (square feet)
|
10,000
|
10,000
| |
|
Lot width (feet)
|
80
|
80
| |
|
Lot depth (feet)
|
100
|
100
| |
|
Front yard (feet)
|
35
|
35
| |
|
1 side yard (feet)
|
15
|
15
| |
|
Both side yards (feet)
|
25
|
25
| |
|
Rear yard (feet)
|
35
|
35
| |
|
Minimum livable floor area (square feet per dwelling unit)
|
850
|
450
| |
|
Off-street parking spaces (per dwelling unit)
|
2
|
2
| |
|
Land area for yield (square feet per dwelling unit)
|
10,000
|
10,000
| |
|
MIFDU tenant-occupied dwelling units less than 850 square feet
|
3,300
| ||
C.
Authority to amend requirements and specifications.
(1)
The Planning Board shall have the authority to reduce or amend yard
setback requirements, lot dimension requirements, parking requirements,
and highway specifications. In making this decision, the Planning
Board shall take into consideration the benefit to the applicant,
as weighed against the detriment to the health, safety and welfare
of the neighborhood or community. In making such determination, the
Planning Board shall also consider:
(a)
Whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character
of the neighborhood or a detriment to nearby properties will be created
by the granting of the amendments;
(b)
Whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved
by some method, feasible for the applicant to pursue, other than the
sought variance;
(c)
Whether the variance is substantial;
(d)
Whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or
impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood
or district; and
(e)
Whether the alleged difficulty was self-created, which shall
be relevant to the decision but shall not necessarily preclude the
proposed amendment or variance.
(2)
This provision supersedes and amends New York State Town Law §§ 267,
267-a, 267-b and 267-c insofar as these sections give such authority
to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Any amendment to highway specifications
shall meet with the approval of the Highway Superintendent.
A.
Application and fees. The application for rezoning shall be filed
with the Town Clerk, in a form approved by the Town Board and available
in the office of the Town Clerk. Fees applicable to the AHD zoning
application shall be set by resolution of the Town Board.
[Amended 8-26-2014 by L.L. No. 10-2014]
B.
Application procedure. The procedure for approval of any future development
in a proposed AHD District shall involve a three-stage review process
as follows:
[Amended 8-26-2014 by L.L. No. 10-2014]
(1)
Approval by the Town Board of a preliminary development concept plan.
(2)
Approval of the final, detailed subdivision plat or site plan by the Planning Board. In an AHD zone, § 280-137A(5) is inapplicable, and the allowable density of MIFDUs shall be determined by the following yield calculation:
(a)
Buildable land (square feet) divided by the minimum land area
per dwelling unit = number of MIFDUs.
(3)
The zoning classification by the Town Board of a specific parcel
or parcels of land for development in accordance with that plan.*
C.
Referral to Planning Board. Upon the receipt of a
properly completed application for the establishment of a new AHD
District, one copy of the application shall be referred to the Planning
Board for its review and report, and one copy shall be referred to
the Suffolk County Planning Commission for its review and recommendation,
if required by the provisions of the Suffolk County Charter. Within
60 days from the date of the Planning Board meeting at which such
referral is received, the Planning Board shall report its recommendations
to the Town Board. No action shall be taken by the Town Board until
receipt of the Planning Board report or the expiration of the Planning
Board review period, whichever first occurs. Said review period may
be extended by mutual consent of the Planning Board and the applicant.
D.
Planning Board report. The Planning Board, in its
report to the Town Board, may recommend either approval of the application
for the establishment of the AHD District, with or without modifications,
or disapproval of said application. In the event that the Planning
Board recommends disapproval of said application, it shall state in
its report the reasons for such disapproval. In preparing its report
and recommendations, the Planning Board shall give consideration to
the Town Comprehensive Plan, the existing and permitted land uses
in the area, the relationship of the proposed design and location
of buildings on the site, traffic circulation, both on and off the
site, the adequacy and availability of community facilities and utilities,
including public water and public sewer systems, to service the proposed
development, compliance of the proposed development with the standards
and requirements of this article, the then-current need for such housing
and such other factors as may be related to the purposes of this article.
E.
Town Board public hearing. Within 45 days from the
date of the Town Board's receipt of the Planning Board's report and
recommendation or the expiration of the Planning Board review period,
whichever first occurs, the Town Board shall hold a public hearing
on the matter of establishing an AHD District on the property described
in the application. Such hearing shall be held upon the same notice
as required by law for amendments to the Town Zoning Map and/or Zoning
Code.
F.
Town Board action.
(1)
Within 45 days after the date of the close of the
public hearing, the Town Board shall act either to approve, approve
with modifications or disapprove the preliminary development concept
plan and the approval or disapproval of the establishment of the AHD
District applied for. Approval or approval with modifications shall
be deemed as authority for the applicant to proceed with the detailed
design of the proposed development in accordance with such concept
plan and the procedures and requirements of this article. A copy of
the Town Board's determination shall be filed with the Planning Board
and a copy mailed to the applicant. A copy shall also be filed in
the Town Clerk's office. If such determination approves the establishment
of a new AHD District, the Town Clerk shall cause the Official Zoning
Map to be amended accordingly.
(2)
Revocation; extension.
(a)
Upon request to the Town Board on notice to
the applicant and for good cause shown, the establishment of an AHD
District may be revoked 18 months after said Town Board approval thereof
if work on the site has not commenced or the same is not being prosecuted
to conclusion with reasonable diligence.
(b)
The Town Board, upon request of the applicant
and upon good cause being shown, may, in the exercise of its discretion,
extend the above time period. In the event of the revocation of approval
as herein provided, the AHD District shall be deemed revoked, and
the zoning classification of the property affected thereby shall revert
to the zoning classification that existed on the property immediately
prior to the establishment of the AHD District thereon, and the Town
Clerk shall cause the Official Zoning Map to be amended accordingly.
G.
Subdivision plat approval by the Planning Board.
(1)
No earthwork, site work, land clearing, construction or development activities shall take place on any property within an AHD District except in accordance with a site plan approved by the Planning Board in accordance with the provisions of this article and in accordance with the procedures and standards for site plan approval as set forth in Article XXIV of this chapter.
A.
The Town Board shall require the recording of covenants and restrictions
that shall apply to all real property within the AHD District. The
covenants and restrictions shall contain terms and conditions as the
Town Board and Planning Board deem necessary to insure the property
is used for purposes consistent with the purposes for which the AHD
zoning classification was created, and they shall be subject to the
approval of the Town Attorney. The covenants and restrictions shall
include the following:
[Amended 5-3-2016 by L.L.
No. 4-2016; 12-5-2017 by L.L. No. 20-2017]
(1)
An owner of an improved or unimproved parcel of property
within the AHD District shall, at least 30 days prior to entering
into an agreement or contract to convey the parcel, provide a copy
of the proposed contract to the Town Clerk with a written notice of
the owner's intent to enter into the contract. The Town Clerk shall
forward a copy of the owner's notice of intent and the proposed contract
to the Town Board and Government Liaison Officer. Within 20 days of
receipt of the owner's notice of intention, the Town shall notify
the owner in writing as to whether or not the terms of the sale comply
with the provisions of this chapter relating to the resale of AHD
parcels.
(2)
That an improved or unimproved parcel of property
within the AHD District shall not be conveyed without written approval
of the Southold Town Board.
(3)
The leasing of an improved or unimproved parcel of
property or portion thereof shall be by written lease.
(4)
An owner of an improved or unimproved parcel of property
within the AHD District shall, at least 14 days prior to entering
into a lease with regard to said parcel, provide a copy of the proposed
lease to the Town Clerk with a written notice of the owner's intent
to enter into the lease. The Town Clerk shall forward a copy of the
owner's notice of intent and the proposed lease to the Town Board
and to the Government Liaison Officer. Within seven days of receipt
of the owner's notice of intention, the Town shall notify the owner
in writing as to whether or not the terms of the lease comply with
the provisions of this chapter relating to the leasing of AHD parcels.
(5)
An owner of an improved or unimproved parcel of property
within the AHD District shall not lease the property without obtaining
the written approval from the Town of Southold.
B.
Provision for moderate-income family dwelling units
and unimproved lots.
(1)
On land within an AHD District each dwelling unit
and/or unimproved lot located therein shall be reserved for sale or
lease to moderate-income families registered with the Town of Southold
Housing Registry. At least 50% of available homes shall be offered
for sale or lease to eligible applicants whose income does not exceed
80% of the HUD median income for the County of Suffolk.
C.
Eligibility (non-age-restricted). In each AHD, the sale or lease
of dwelling units and unimproved lots shall be reserved for moderate-income
families who do not have any ownership interest in any other residence
or vacant lot. The net worth of an applicant (individual or family)
shall not exceed 25% of the purchase price of a home sold pursuant
to this section. The eligible applicants shall be placed in a lottery
system, administered by the Government Liaison Officer. There shall
be a priority for qualified active members in good standing with a
minimum of three years of service as volunteers in an agency providing
firematic protection, emergency medical or ambulance services in the
Town of Southold in a formula acceptable to the Town Board.
[Amended 7-29-2008 by L.L. No. 8-2008; 5-3-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016; 12-5-2017 by L.L. No. 20-2017; 9-24-2019 by L.L. No.
14-2019]
D.
Age-restricted (age 55 and over) dwelling units or unimproved lots.
The sale or lease of dwelling units and unimproved lots in an age-restricted
community shall be reserved for age-eligible, moderate-income families
registered in the Town of Southold Housing Registry, as administered
by the Government Liaison Officer.
[Amended 7-29-2008 by L.L. No. 8-2008; 12-5-2017 by L.L. No. 20-2017]
E.
Resale price of dwelling units and unimproved lots.
[Amended 5-3-2016 by L.L.
No. 4-2016]
(1)
Dwelling units in an AHD District reserved for moderate-income
families must be resold to moderate-income families who are registered
with the Government Liaison Officer as eligible and in need of housing.
In an effort to ensure perpetual affordability, the maximum resale
price shall not exceed the purchase price plus the cost of permanent
fixed improvements, adjusted for the increase in the consumer price
index during the period of ownership of such dwelling unit and such
capital improvements plus reasonable and necessary resale expenses.
All capital improvements require the approval of the Government Liaison
Officer who will submit such improvements to the Housing Advisory
Commission for determination of: (a) whether the capital improvement
is warranted; and (b) if warranted, the value of appreciation to the
property at time of improvement; and (c) the value (if any) upon resale.
The Housing Advisory Commission will provide quarterly reports to
the Town Board pertaining to AHD provisions (i.e., sales, resales,
capital improvements, etc.).
(2)
Unimproved lots in an AHD District reserved for registered
moderate-income families must be resold to moderate-income families.
The maximum resale price shall not exceed the purchase price of such
lot adjusted for the change in the consumer price index for the period
during which such lot was owned by the resale seller, plus reasonable
and necessary resale expenses.
(3)
Where an unimproved lot in an AHD District reserved for moderate-income families is improved with a dwelling unit, the maximum resale price shall be determined in the manner specified in § 280-30E(1) hereof.
F.
The pricing structure for rental properties must not
exceed the rent limits as established by the Suffolk County Affordable
Housing Opportunities Program. The Town Board may, at its discretion,
impose restrictions regarding rentals.
G.
The regulations and general provisions of this chapter
may be varied at the discretion of the Town Board based on the requirements
of subsidy sources of a specific development.
[Added 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 10-2006]
H.
If more than one MIFDU exists on a single lot, the dwelling units
must either all be owner-occupied or tenant-occupied units.
[Added 8-26-2014 by L.L. No. 10-2014]
[Amended 5-3-2016 by L.L.
No. 4-2016]
A.
General duties of Government Liaison Officer.
(1)
The Government Liaison Officer shall be responsible for the administration
of dwelling units and unimproved lots reserved for moderate-income
families in all AHD Districts pursuant to the provisions of this article.
(2)
The Government Liaison Officer shall promulgate and maintain information
and documentation of all dwelling units and unimproved lots reserved
for moderate-income families in all AHD Districts; the number thereof
available for sale or lease at all times; the sales prices and monthly
rent for such dwelling units and lots; and the names and addresses
of eligible families desiring to purchase or lease the same, together
with a priority list of such families. The Government Liaison Officer
shall maintain such other records and documents as shall be required
to properly administer the provisions of this article.
B.
Interagency cooperation.
(1)
Whenever the Town Board approves the establishment of an AHD District,
a copy of such determination shall be filed with the Building Inspector
and the Government Liaison Officer, together with a copy of any agreements
and/or covenants relating thereto.
(2)
Whenever the Planning Board approves a subdivision plat and/or a
site plan affecting land within an AHD District, a copy thereof shall
be filed with the Building Inspector and the Government Liaison Officer,
together with copies of any agreements and/or covenants relating thereto.
(3)
Whenever the Building Inspector shall issue a building permit, a
certificate of occupancy or any other permit or authorization affecting
dwelling units and/or unimproved lots located in an AHD District and
reserved for sale or lease to moderate-income families, a copy thereof
shall be filed with the Government Liaison Officer.
C.
Procedure.
(1)
Whenever the Building Inspector receives an application for a building
permit or a certificate of occupancy for a dwelling unit or unimproved
lot located in an AHD District and reserved for sale or lease to moderate-income
families, the Building Inspector shall file a copy thereof with the
Government Liaison Officer, who shall inform the owner and/or person
filing such application of the maximum sales price or monthly rent
for such dwelling unit or lot as well as eligibility requirements
for families seeking to purchase or lease such dwelling units or lots.
(2)
No building permit or certificate of occupancy may be issued by the
Building Inspector until the Government Liaison Officer has supplied
the Building Inspector with the information provided for in the preceding
subsection and the Building Inspector determines that the issuance
of the building permit or certificate of occupancy will not permit
a use, occupancy, sale or lease of a dwelling unit or unimproved lot
in violation of the provisions of this article.
(3)
The Government Liaison Officer shall certify the eligibility of all
applicants for lease or purchase of dwelling units and unimproved
lots reserved for moderate-income families. An owner of dwelling units
and unimproved lots in an AHD District which are reserved for sale
or lease to moderate-income families shall not sell or lease the same
to any person who does not possess a certificate of eligibility issued
by the Government Liaison Officer. A violation of the provisions of
this subsection shall constitute grounds for the revocation of a certificate
of occupancy.
(4)
On or before March 31 of each year, the Government Liaison Officer
shall notify the owner or manager of dwelling units and unimproved
lots reserved for moderate-income families of the monthly rent, sales
price and income eligibility requirements for such units and lots
based upon data derived from the preceding year.
(5)
The owner or manager of dwelling units and unimproved lots reserved for moderate-income families shall certify in writing to the Government Liaison Officer on or before May 31 of each year, that the sale and/or lease of such dwelling units and lots comply with the provisions of this article and Chapter 280 of the Town Code.
(6)
When a dwelling unit reserved for lease to moderate-income families
is to be rented, the lease for such unit shall not exceed a term of
two years.
(7)
An applicant for a certificate of eligibility aggrieved by any determination
of the Government Liaison Officer shall have the right to appeal such
determination to the Town Board at its next regularly scheduled work
session or to any standing committee of the Town Board designated
by resolution to hear such appeals.
(8)
The only covenants and restrictions which may even be placed upon
any lot or dwelling unit in an AHD District must be first approved
by action of the Town Board.
All of the provisions of the Code of the Town
of Southold not inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of
this article shall be applicable in the AHD District.
[Added 6-20-2006 by L.L. No. 10-2006]
A.
A dwelling unit and premises created in the AHD Zoning
District after January 1, 2006, shall be maintained in accordance
with the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code of New York State.
B.
Failure to comply with this section shall be a violation
punishable by a fine of not less than $250 and not more than $1,000.
[Amended 8-24-1993 by L.L. No. 18-1993; 6-2-2009 by L.L. No.
7-2009]
Any violation of any provision of this article
shall be punishable in the following manner:
A.
First offense: by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor
more than $5,000.
B.
Second offense and for any offense thereafter: by
a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $10,000 for each
offense.
C.
Any offense under this article may be punishable by
revocation of an existing certificate of occupancy.
D.
Any individual who has violated covenants and resolutions
imposed pursuant to this article shall be prohibited from further
participation in ownership opportunities and benefits within an approved
AHD District.
