State Government
Local Government
PHBA’s Legislative Latest – July 2009
James City County
ü The county’s Comprehensive Plan was discussed in late July during a joint session between the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The Comp Plan recommends lower densities for the rural lands and directing housing growth within the existing Primary Service Area, yet even so, it has generated controversy with no-growth groups in the county.
ü PHBA is working with the County Attorney’s office to resolve an apparent conflict between state code and a county ordinance on preliminary plan validity.
ü The county’s Green Building Roundtable met in mid-July and discussed possible federal/state funding sources for green building efforts. The committee also received a draft of its report to the Board of Supervisors.
ü During the June / July board meetings, the Board of Supervisors approved the Dept. of Parks and Recreation’s master plan, approved the Shaping our Shores master plan (Jamestown Beach campground, Jamestown Yacht Basin, Chickahominy River Park), approved civil charges for a Chesapeake Bay ordinance violation, and approved a CVS pharmacy at Norge.
York County
ü PHBA members and staff continue to serve on the residential and commercial zoning advisory committees. With our input, the residential committee has recommended that the county change its definition of building height, drop excessive requirements on BMPs in cluster subdivisions, and reached satisfactory conditions on the use of flag lots and soil stockpiling.
ü The county’s Economic Development office wants to survey PHBA members on a possible ‘developer training’ program aimed at making developers, builders and engineers, more familiar with the county’s development codes. Those who participate would be listed on the county’s website as a resource for potential clients. The short survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=k_2bkDnQ2ltiUcputWlV3nQw_3d_3d
ü PHBA is following up on concerns expressed by Peninsula Apartment Council members about county code compliance employees removing apartment vacancy signs.
ü During June / July meetings, the Supervisors approved a one-year renewal of an special use permit for The Spot Night Club, approved requests of VDOT for secondary streets, approved easements for the Queens Lake sewer project, and denied an application for a cellular tower.
Isle of Wight County
ü County Supervisors approved the Benn’s Grant development project in May, and approved in mid-July a 20-acre multi-family rezoning proposal from Eagle Harbor and Breeden Investment Properties.
ü During July’s meeting, PHBA staff raised questions about the county’s proposed language implementing new state law regarding the extension of validity for development plans. The county’s language appeared to add conditions to state code. PHBA has not received a response from the county.
Gloucester County
ü On a 4-3 vote, County Supervisors approved changing the time when water/sewer tap fees are collected. The fees now will be collected when a building permit is issued. PHBA members and staff at several meetings urged the Supervisors to support the change.
ü During June / July Board meetings, the Supervisors reviewed information on state code changes regarding alternative septic systems, approved increases in monthly water and sewer rates, and held public hearings on ordinances affect music festivals and commercial dog breeding operations.
City of Poquoson
ü In July, City Council members held a public hearing on the city’s proposed comprehensive plan. Part of the plan proposes the creation of a moderate density residential district, to allow the construction of townhomes, carriage homes and 4-unit attached homes at the scale of single-family detached construction. Several speakers during the public hearing opposed higher density projects and opposed commercial construction in the “Big Woods” area.
City of Williamsburg
ü Nothing new to report.
City of Hampton
ü At the June 10th meeting, after hearing from many speakers both in opposition and support, City Council approved several actions to make way for a PHBA Parade of Homes at Buckroe Beach and further revitalization of the area.
ü PHBA members and staff continue to provide their input on a zoning advisory committee. The planning commission is holding workshops on the proposed changes and new zoning districts.
ü On August 12th, the City Council is expected to make a decision on Buckroe Beach development plans and a citizen petition for a referendum on the Buckroe properties. PHBA members need to show up and urge the City Council to continue to move ahead with Buckroe revitalization.
City of Newport News
ü In June / July, the City Council approved actions to improve the intersection of Denbigh Blvd./Old Denbigh Blvd., held a public hearing on acquiring land for Richneck Road improvements, and appropriating several grants.
State
ü A subcommittee of the state Housing & Community Development Board has agreed to leave the use of residential fire sprinklers as an option for new construction. In July, the subcommittee heard public comments on a proposed code change that would mandate fire sprinklers for new single-family construction
ü PHBA is preparing a briefing for local state legislators on the proposed DCR stormwater technical criteria and its significant potential impacts to development. HBAV has outlined an alternative proposal, which would allow developers to develop at higher load standards but pay a mitigation fee in return. Those dollars would go into the state’s Water Quality Improvement Fund to help address problems stemming from agriculture and point source runoff.
Federal
Despite NAHB opposition, the House of Representatives on June 26 passed H.R. 2998, sweeping legislation that requires new homes to be built 30 percent more energy efficiently than mandated in the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. That number increases to 50 percent by 2014 and then increases 5 percent every three years. The bill now waits on action in the U.S. Senate.