THE HOME BUILDER
February 2024
Page Two
The HomeFront Government Affairs News and Info
David Lehde Director of Government Affairs
No Winter of Discontent – Just Work
supply and affordability, caveats such as subsidizing transit passes or not calculating parking spaces into the overall cost of the development could mean the projects’ investors just decide not to do the projects. Meanwhile, the City of Celina’s four-day week for city operations is now in effect. And Dallas BA is already hearing from builders who are facing various challenges with the loss of a day to get reviews and inspections completed. We have been in contact with city staff regarding options to allevi - ate challenges that were expected and predicted by our Association. Celina’s development services staff appears equally concerned and we will update our members as information becomes available. These are just some of the items we are chasing down at the local government level on behalf of our members. But there are items at the national level, such as funding for Job Corps — the successful education program that provides many needed trades, efforts to help the production of needed transformers, and the need to protect state and local abilities to adapt certain codes to the benefit of their region, that also require a team approach. NAHB has announced the dates for the 2024 National Legislative Conference. On June 12, teams from HBA’s around the country will visit with our members of Congress to voice the need and benefits of protecting our business and industry. The Capitol Hill meetings, which take place in conjunction with NAHB’s four-day Spring Leadership Meetings in Washington, D.C., are a critical part of our industry’s advocacy efforts.
After hearing from Dallas BA, allied stakeholders, and city staff, the City Council on Jan. 24 agreed to further postpone the ordinance until March to allow further negotiation and needed ordinance language cor- rections. Dallas BA will continue to weigh in on the collaborative effort to ap - propriately fund DSD needs, but with our focus on protecting housing af- fordability. At the same time, the City of Dallas is also pursuing amendments to the city’s parking codes. Dallas’ desire is to shift focus from the quantity of required off-street parking spaces to quality and location of off-street parking areas with the apparent intent of “aligning the Dallas Development Code with a citywide transportation, environmental and land use policies by reducing the priority of single- occupant vehicle trips and increasing the opportunity for housing” (Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee staff report summary for Jan. 30, 2024). This would include a possible requirement for a Transportation Demand Management Plan (TDMP) that would apply to qualifying devel- opment projects. The report also indicates that ad- ditional design standards would ensure new parking lots support a walkable environment. The staff report goes on to say, with regards to minimum parking requirements, that they are regulatory tools that “have resulted in a land use arrangement that perpetuates our dependency on cars …” Obviously, the development sec- tor has some concerns. While the relief from minimum parking requirements could help in the battle for housing
“An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told.” (William Shake- speare, “King Richard III”, Act 4, scene 4) 2024 is in full swing and the emo- tions of an election year are as present as the grey tinged skies of February. But while some may be abundantly focused on pundits and campaigns, a vast majority of the people are primar- ily focused on day-to-day life and the tasks assigned. This is the case for the home building industry and Dallas BA membership who are focused on their responsibility, and the accompanying challenges, of providing a place to call home for thousands in the region. And that has driven Association advocacy as we work for a fair outcome in fees and ordinances in the region. As mentioned last month, the City of Dallas is deep into the process of updating building and development fees for the first time in a near decade. With the city’s Development Services Department (DSD) having received a third-party study and taking input from stakeholders, including the Dallas BA, a proposed fee schedule and ordinance was scheduled for Dallas City Council on Dec. 13. For their part, DSD staff, after hearing from builders, agreed that the study’s recommendation on some fees were too high, and proposed a fee schedule that included lower amounts. After hearing from Dallas BA and oth- ers about not having enough time to fully vet the updated ordinance draft and remaining concerns about as- sumptions made in the study, the City Council approved our recommenda- tions and postponed discussion on the item until Jan. 24.
Dallas BA typically sees 10 to 12 or so members travel to Washington to join in the effort. It is a show of dedication to the industry as they give of their time and resources. Per the opening scripted allusion, this is an election year. And the Dallas BA service area includes seats up for election at the local, state, and federal levels that can have a major impact. Two well respected DFW region members of the House of Representa- tives, Congresswoman Kay Granger and Congressman Michael Burgess, have announced they will retire at the end of this session. Both have had distinguished careers, and both have done some heavy lifting at the request of NAHB and the members of Dallas BA and the Greater Fort Worth Build - ers Association. Also deciding not to run for re-election is State Senator Drew Springer, who has carried and support- ed home builder legislation in Austin. With their departure, it opens up a near cattle call of candidates who are auditioning to be the next decision makers. Just as important are other legislators, county commissioners and city council members who are up for re-election this year. Dallas BA will monitor these elections closely. If you are interested in helping, there are opportunities to participate through HOMEPAC of Greater Dal - las. Members with questions should contact the Dallas BA Director of Government Affairs . A phrase from the opening line of Shakespear’s Richard III is often used regarding political situations that occur during the frigid months. However, for Dallas BA — no winter of discontent; just work.
METROPLEX DESIGN SOURCE FOR EXCITING, INNOVATIVE RESIDENTIAL PLANS 972-783-4660
The Home Builder is published monthly by the Dallas Builders Association at 5816 W. Plano Pkwy., Plano, Texas 75093. Telephone 972-931-4840. BARCIE VILCHES, Editor
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