Affordable, long-term housing idea.

[Allifunn]

I know it would benefit me. If all goes well I'm planning to move down to Sowal in August and a garage apartment or something in that genre would be great. I'm glad you brought this up because I had know idea about these property laws. It's good info to know for when I start seriously looking for a place to live.

I am with you ladybug..I hope to head down there this time next year to possibly relocate, and my biggest concern is a place to live! I own my own home here...but could not possibly own one there. I will follow this with interest, and hopefully something will be accomplished within the next year

 

[SHELLY]

No Shelly, you haven't 'addressed' the issue- you've whinned about it ad nauseum. Beyond admonishing the 'powers that be' (none of which appear to be on this message board) and cheering excitedly for the "oncoming train wreck" (which I guess will prove the brilliance of your insights) I have yet to hear of any practical solutions. And yes now you've found my hot-button issue: talk is cheap.

Now, does anyone have any comments regarding the proposal to change the county regulations on accessory apartements? Would anyone oppose this idea if it went before the county commissioners? Comments on THIS SUBJECT would be appreciated.

A Place to Start

I will definately make it a point to attend any county meeting that addresses your proposal and step up and say YES! LET'S DO IT! But only if it would be passed with strict guidelines to allow long-term, low-cost housing and prohibit the proposal from being exploited for additional seasonal profit (which would be extremely tempting and difficult to enforce).

 

[TooFarTampa]

TWT I for one think it is a great idea, and if it got on the commission's agenda, I would be happy to write a letter to my commissioner.

In fact you have set me to thinking. We have a standard-sized lot in Seagrove that we would love to build on in the next three to five years. The depth of the lot (135) is certainly enough to warrant a carriage house, plus pool plus main house, and the way the lot is sited we might even be able to get gulf views from the second floor of the carriage house. We could start building sooner rather than later if we got the full plans drawn up, then did a carriage house first, that we could use for ourselves for awhile. When we were ready to build we could rent the carriage house long term and have at the very least someone looking out for the property. I don't like it. I LOVE it!

What defines a long-term rental anyway? Three months? Six?

 

[Uncle Timmy]

Thanks for all the feedback. Good to know there is general support for the idea.

I'm drafting a letter to Walton County Planning and Zoning, and plan to contact some of our local organizations asking for their support.

If anyone has experience dealing with the county on such issues I would greatly appreciate some guidance on how to go about proposing an ammendment to the LDC as this is new territory for me.

The comments have been very helpful, such as the need to specify that such rentals would only be allowed for long term rental. If anyone else has any other points that should be addressed in this proposal, let me know.

I'll keep everyone here posted on developments; I suspect that at some point I will need to ask for folks to e-mail our commissioners expressing support for the proposal.

 

[beachmouse]

There have been a couple articles in the paper about the Plantation at Freeport development near Freeport high school. Same developer as Kelly Plantation, and right now the developer is saying he's aiming for a mix of housing and incomes as they build including apartment and more modest single family housing options.

He could be blowing smoke, but right now at least he's saying all the right things, and he seems perfectly comfortable with the idea that the project is big enough that it's going to take at least 20 years to build out, so it doesn't seem like the same sell & flip while the going is good crowd.

 

[Rita]

Thanks for all the feedback. Good to know there is general support for the idea.

I'm drafting a letter to Walton County Planning and Zoning, and plan to contact some of our local organizations asking for their support.

If anyone has experience dealing with the county on such issues I would greatly appreciate some guidance on how to go about proposing an ammendment to the LDC as this is new territory for me.

The comments have been very helpful, such as the need to specify that such rentals would only be allowed for long term rental. If anyone else has any other points that should be addressed in this proposal, let me know.

I'll keep everyone here posted on developments; I suspect that at some point I will need to ask for folks to e-mail our commissioners expressing support for the proposal.

You likely know already, but in case not, contact our fellow poster Donna. She's a whiz at this stuff, is connected, and diplomatic.
Thank you so much for spearheading this!

 

[Amp22]

Thanks for all the feedback. Good to know there is general support for the idea.

I'm drafting a letter to Walton County Planning and Zoning, and plan to contact some of our local organizations asking for their support.

If anyone has experience dealing with the county on such issues I would greatly appreciate some guidance on how to go about proposing an ammendment to the LDC as this is new territory for me.

The comments have been very helpful, such as the need to specify that such rentals would only be allowed for long term rental. If anyone else has any other points that should be addressed in this proposal, let me know.

I'll keep everyone here posted on developments; I suspect that at some point I will need to ask for folks to e-mail our commissioners expressing support for the proposal.

The SWCC has done a lot of work on AH - I'm sure someone there can help.

www.southwaltoncc.org

Chances are you know someone on the board:
http://www.southwaltoncc.org/contact.htm

 

[SHELLY]

What defines a long-term rental anyway? Three months? Six?

At LEAST 3 months--but preferably a one-year lease if one is really serious about licking the area's "affordable housing" problem (and by affordable, that would be in the range of the take-home pay of area employers like teachers, cops, lifeguards, waiters and cashiers).

The county would also have to keep up with these type of arrangements to ensure someone doesn't use the "long-term rental" ploy as a means of getting out of paying bed tax.

Expect some opposition from areas with HOA with protective covenants in place; especially those who have a higher than average percentage of full-time residents. Also get up-to-speed on the "Fair Housing Act" and the affect it can have on a landlord's ability to pick-and-choose their renters.

Just some things to think about while going forward.

I wish you the best of luck--keep us informed.

 

[skippertoo]

TWT I for one think it is a great idea, and if it got on the commission's agenda, I would be happy to write a letter to my commissioner.

In fact you have set me to thinking. We have a standard-sized lot in Seagrove that we would love to build on in the next three to five years. The depth of the lot (135) is certainly enough to warrant a carriage house, plus pool plus main house, and the way the lot is sited we might even be able to get gulf views from the second floor of the carriage house. We could start building sooner rather than later if we got the full plans drawn up, then did a carriage house first, that we could use for ourselves for awhile. When we were ready to build we could rent the carriage house long term and have at the very least someone looking out for the property. I don't like it. I LOVE it!

We would do the exact same thing.

 

[ladybug8876]

TWT, I am all for it, and in fact, have thought about building one on my property. I could not afford to build it and make money on it by renting it, but I believe the affordable rent could make it a break even proposition while helping another person, and adding a little excitement to my life. I am readying to build a new home in the near future, but will probably hold off on the Carriage House for maybe another year. If money were not an issue, I would do build it today.

Truly, having a long term renter's "servants quarters" could be handy for those who needed a cleaning person, ie- servant, to clean between guests and owners' visits in exchange for rent. You could also have this person maintain a garden on the property, or stock your groceries for the arrival, check in renters to the main house, etc. Why people would rather pay more to a rental management company than having a reliable tenant take care of things is beyond me.

As someone wanting to relocate I would love to do something like this. Even maybe add a babysitting service for guests/owners, the advantages are endless. To have the chance to live and work in Sowal in would be a wonderful opportunity. I wish everyone luck who is trying to get this approved.