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View Full Version : Developers want less Local Control


Don Haddix
01-19-2009, 10:51 AM
Here is a quote from GMA (http://www.gmanet.com/) I thought was interesting.


January 16, 2009

Builders: Local Governments Hindrance to Housing Recovery
It’s only the first week of the Legislative Session and local government rules and regulations are already being targeted. Speaking before a meeting of the Joint Economic Development Committee, Georgia’s homebuilders expressed concern that burdensome local government rules and regulations are holding back the housing recovery in Georgia. They advocated for a housing “stimulus” package that would take action on the following:


Impact fees. They say impact fees are too high, unfair and should be project specific and limited in distance.
Building and constructions codes. They feel these requirements are too burdensome and with hundreds of different versions in place, difficult to follow.
Building moratoria. They would like to eliminate the ability for local governments to impose building moratoriums.
Building inspections. They would like to be able to use private building inspectors if the local government cannot do an inspection within a specific time frame. They would also like local fees returned in those instances.
Open Meetings Act updates. They would like state law to require that local governments post their local ordinances and other decisions on the Internet.
Tree ordinances. They articulated a desire for “relief” from the burdens placed on them from local tree ordinances.
Stream buffer and solid erosion requirements. They believe these ordinances are inconsistent across the state.

Georgia’s homebuilders are using the tough economic climate as cover for their long-term agenda to reduce local government regulation and oversight. While no legislation has yet to be introduced on these issues, their frustration with your rights to create the type of communities you want is clearly evident.

CJF18
01-19-2009, 05:38 PM
Don, Since Mr. Ramsey is a contributor to this site, you should ask him to provide his impressions of this action by the home builders. It would be good to get his thoughts for the record. Aside from the fact that there is almost a years surplus of homes currently, nothing they are proposing will do anything to turn the real estate market from it's current state. This is a transparent effort to change laws enacted to keep them in check. The state needs to keep its nose out of local standards enacted to protect the citys and towns from overly zealous clear cutting developers.

Don Haddix
01-19-2009, 05:48 PM
We have already spoken. He says he is not seeing support for this in the legislature.

Over building has added to the economic woes of localities, not helped them. Infrastructure and service costs do not go away because a site is without a tenant.