State and Local Reporter - 02/09/2006 (Plain Text Version)Andrew Chaban, Chair View Graphical Version | Subscribe
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Editor... In this issue: Virginia Builders Rally in RichmondIn response to efforts by newly-elected Virginia Governor Tim Kaine (D) to give local jurisdictions more power over land use decisions, more than 100 members of the housing industry recently participated in the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV) “Housing Blitz” on the state capital. Media, including The Washington Post, covered the blitz. The Post quoted Mike Toalson, HBAV’s executive officer, who said, “[t]he more troops we have this year, the more effective we will be.” For two decades, the Commonwealth’s General Assembly has consistently rejected attempts by localities seeking more control over the land use process, but the new governor made this issue a central theme of his campaign as Election Day 2005 approached. Since his election, Gov. Kaine has traveled the state highlighting his intent to pressure the Legislature to grant municipalities and counties the new authority to adopt “Adequate Public Facilities” (APF) for roads ordinances. These ordinances would allow jurisdictions to approve or reject land use plans based solely on the jurisdictions’ determinations that there are adequate public facilities (e.g., roads, schools, etc.). HBAV was quick to point out that this planning concept is contrary to the development process. It noted that construction of public roads follows residential and commercial growth, arguing that builders do not construct roads to nowhere basing their hopes that one day there will be development near those roads. Furthermore, HBAV contends that “[l]ocalities neither have the vision nor the resources to build roads to nowhere, which APF growth management authority would require.” To prepare for the blitz, HBAV armed the housing industry representatives with solid background information to take to their lawmakers. That information pointed out that when APF for roads was applied in other areas of the country, the cost of new and existing housing increased dramatically because new home construction did not keep pace with demand or growth. The briefing material also mentioned that in those areas adopting APF, sprawl actually increased as those working at new jobs in the popular suburbs sought more affordable housing further away from their offices. The General Assembly is scheduled to be in session until early March. You can expect that Virginia home builders will continue to contact their legislators outlining the short-sightedness of APF road ordinances. For more information about HBAV’s “Housing Blitz,” e-mail Mike Toalson with the state home builders association. For more information or to contact us directly, please visit www.NAHB.org | ©2006, National Association of Home Builders |