Builder Advocate will arrive every other Tuesday

IN THIS ISSUE

• OFCA Continues to raise development fees
• BIA/OC Works with County of Orange on park fee reduction
• Fullerton Planning Commission recommends approval of West Coyote Hills
• Manatt Adds Climate Change Senior Advisor Jon Costantino in Sacramento

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) continues to raise development fees to give pay raises to government workers

BIA/OC

Contact - Bryan Starr

On Wednesday April 14th the OCFA Finance Committee will consider whether or not to accept a staff proposed fee increase for Planning and Development Services (PDS). The nearly 4% increases would be used to grant pay raises to all "non-sworn" government workers in the PDS section. BIA/OC has voiced strong opposition to such increases (pdf). The fact that the OCFA continues to ignore our industry's economic condition is troubling. The fact that they are increasing fees on the backs of our members to give pay raises to government workers is reprehensible. BIA will continue to oppose such increases. Unfortunately, we will be forced to make this issue political in order to defend our industry.

back to top

BIA/OC works with the County of Orange on Park Fee Reduction

BIA/OC

Contact - Bryan Starr

Last year the BIA/OC Government Affairs Committee (GAC) focused on development impact fee deferral. We were successful in deferring fees in more than 13 local agencies, an effort that continues to save our members millions of dollars. This year the GAC is focused on fee reduction. We are beginning with a strategic focus on park dedication in-lieu fees. Most park fees, also known as "Quimby Fees" are calculated by to major factors: land values and construction costs. Most of the fees in OC have not been adjusted since 2006. That means the calculating factors reflect the top of the market. A rational solution to high fees would be an adjustment of the multipliers to reflect current market realities. BIA/OC is working with local jurisdiction, beginning with the County of Orange, to evaluate and reduce fees based on these factors. See our recent letter to the County here (pdf). To participate in BIA fee task force contact: Bryan Starr

back to top

Fullerton Planning Commission recommends approval of West Coyote Hills

Laer Pearce & Associates (www.laer.com)

Contact - Laer Pearce and Scott Starkey

Citing the plan's numerous public benefits and balanced design, Fullerton's Planning Commission strongly endorsed Pacific Coast Homes' planned 760-home West Coyote Hills community with a 5-1 vote, leading to City Council review in the next few months.
Fullerton residents, including a former mayor, members of the Coyote Hills Committee that have been working on this project since the 1970s, hikers, educators, equestrian riders, project neighbors and future homebuyers turned out to encourage the Commission to recommend approval of this project. Prior to the hearing, the Commission received 800 support letters or endorsement cards from local residents underscoring the broad range of support the project enjoys throughout the community. About 40 members of the Save Coyote Hills group spoke against the plan, stating the city should seek out funds to preserve and entire 510-acre site. The group has actively opposed the plan for about 10 years. Contact Scott Starkey to learn more about West Coyote Hills and how you can support its approval.
Visit the new LP&A Web site: www.laer.com

back to top

Manatt Adds Climate Change Senior Advisor Jon Costantino in Sacramento

Manatt (www.manatt.com)

SACRAMENTO, CA - April 12, 2010 - Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced today that Jon M. Costantino has joined the firm as a Senior Advisor. Costantino is leaving his position as Manager of Climate Change Planning at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Office of Climate Change to join Manatt, and will be based in the firm's Sacramento office.

At CARB, a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency, Costantino successfully guided one of California's most politically sensitive, technically challenging and economically significant projects from its infancy to conclusion - AB 32's Climate Change Scoping Plan. After its adoption, Costantino was responsible for developing and coordinating the implementation of the Plan's regulatory measures, as well as securing the funding mechanism needed to support California's climate mitigation program. Read more…

back to top