CBIA News
CBIA’s top three priorities for 2008 all are approved
At deadline for this issue, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law the last of CBIA’s top three legislative priorities for 2008 — AB 2604, which encourages local jurisdictions to defer the collection of impact fees until as late as close of escrow.
Previously, the Governor signed SB 1185, which extended expiring subdivision and parcel maps by up to two years.
In addition, CBIA worked tirelessly and successfully to encourage Congress to permanently raise conforming loan limits, and those insured by FHA, to reflect the high cost of housing in California and to add other provisions expected to help stimulate the housing market.
For complete coverage of the 2008 legislative session, see the November/December issue of California Builder.
CBIA hosts impact fee seminar
Inspired by its Impact Fee Task Force, CBIA recently hosted the first in what will be a series of impact fee seminars designed to bring together industry experts and staff from local BIAs and HBAs to discuss ideas and solutions to the growing demand on builders to pay higher and additional development impact fees related to their projects.
The August 6 discussion was moderated by CBIA General Counsel Nick Cammarota and industry experts included attorneys David Lanferman with the San Francisco-based firm Sheppard Mullin Richter and Hampton, and Walter McNeill with Redding’s McNeill Law offices. Both attorneys have successfully represented builders and local BIAs and HBAs in a variety of cases pertaining to development impact fees being charged by local governments or government agencies.
The discussion during the seminar centered on issues that local BIAs and HBAs are currently facing when dealing with local governments proposing new fees, including the process by which a local government is required to send a notification in advance of a hearing on a proposed fee or increase. Participants had an opportunity to discuss directly with the experts a variety of specific situations they have encountered.
“It was truly an opportunity for an open discussion on development impact fees among the industry’s rank and file — the folks who are out there fighting these fees everyday,” Cammarota said. “This type of dialogue and information sharing is a real benefit to all of us.”
CBIA is in the process of scheduling future seminars in other locations around the state. For more information on upcoming seminars, contact Allison Barnett at abarnett@cbia.org.
Senior Vice President receives Maggie award
The Western Publications Association has given the 2008 “Maggie Award” for Best Signed Editorial Essay/Trade to CBIA Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Tim Coyle for his essay titled “Dodging the Water Issue.”
Published in the November/December 2007 issue of California Builder with the subtitle “Will lawmakers finally step up and fix the problem,” the column took a hard look at the history and future of California’s growing water needs.
Discussing the complex factors that have evolved over the decades to complicate the water issue, Coyle writes that “…ultimately, California’s fight over water is one between those who seek to limit growth and those who understand that growth happens and has to be accommodated.”
This award adds to the additional distinction CB received this year, when the magazine was honored as best association magazine in the Western United States.