The HBA Advocate Newsletter | May 3, 2022

May 3, 2022

Commerce City Council Reconsiders Update to Model Service Plans Governing Metropolitan Districts

On Monday, May 3, the Commerce City Council revisited an updated proposal from 2021 to update its model service plan governing metro districts. While the HBA knew an updated draft ordinance was under consideration, we only received an updated copy less than a week before yesterday’s hearing for our review. Irrespective of the short time frame, the HBA was able to submit a formal comments letter highlighting some of our biggest concerns including the exclusion of a “Gallagher adjustment” that will allow an incremental increase in a district’s mill levy to offset any corresponding adjustments to property assessment rates. Other concerns outlined in our letter included a 35-year limitation on debt service, mill levy caps, caps on operations and maintenance fees and limits on cost reimbursements for public infrastructure.

A number of council members shared our concerns during the hearing yesterday evening and offered numerous amendments. Ultimately, the hearing went much later than was anticipated and a scheduled first-reading vote has been delayed until next week. The HBA will continue to express our concerns to the City Council prior to next week’s hearing and keep our members updated on any new developments.

HBA Holding Inaugural Homebuilding Bus Tour for Local Elected Officials on May 6!

In an effort to provide Denver metro area elected officials with a greater understanding of the homebuilding industry, the HBA of Metro Denver has organized an inaugural Homebuilders Bus Tour to learn more about our industry and its impact on our local economy, governments and residents. Over the course of the day on May 6, city council members and county commissioners from across the metro area will be traveling by bus to three developments in different stages of construction to learn more about what it takes to bring new homes in Colorado to market. By the end of the day, it is our goal that attendees will leave with a good foundational understanding of all the major aspects of this essential industry and why it is vital to our shared economic vitality as well as maintaining and improving the quality of life for current and future generations of Coloradans. We are really looking forward to spending the day with our regions elected officials and providing them with the foundational understanding of our industry, so that they can apply what they have learned to their decision-making responsibilities within their cities and counties.

City of Aurora and Town of Castle Rock to Consider New Water Conservation Measure for New Residential Development

Both the City of Aurora and the Town of Castle Rock are considering water-conservation measures for new residential development that would prohibit the use of turf in front yards and significantly reduce the total square footage of turf in backyards permissible to just 450 square feet or 45 percent –whichever is less. Although Castle Rock has yet to prepare a formal ordinance, the town has reached out to the HBA to notify our active builders of its intentions to impose new restrictions later this year. In Aurora, no such notification was provided, and a draft ordinance has already been introduced before the Water Policy Committee for consideration. In response, the HBA submitted a formal comments letter to the City Council requesting an opportunity for genuine stakeholder input and engagement.

The HBA will continue to keep our members updated on this issue in both municipalities as they move forward.

HBA of Metro Denver Testifies Before Aurora Red Tape Reduction Committee
The Aurora City Council has established an Ad Hoc Red Tape Roundup Committee in an effort to streamline and improve business processes within the municipality. The committee will be evaluating city practices within the areas of Rules/Regulations, Taxes/Fees, and Municipal Processes. Through a stakeholder process among our membership, the HBA has collectively identified a number of priorities that will greatly assist the residential-construction industry within the City of Aurora and submitted formal comments of our proposals in a letter to the committee on April 11.

The HBA also participated in the formal committee meetings and testified during the committee’s April 20 meeting date to outline our suggestions and priorities. This process has presented the HBA and our active builders with a great opportunity to help streamline city processes in a high-priority municipality within our jurisdiction. We are looking forward to seeing what improvements are ultimately implemented by the city.

HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker
Questions on what is happening in a specific city or county? The HBA is regularly monitoring the council and board activities in every political subdivision in the metro Denver area. Our Issue Tracker offers a great resource to learn about the issues being deliberated with links to agendas, packets and ordinances. The HBA of Metro Denver HBA Issue Tracker is available  to all members here.

All of the HBA of Metro Denver's Regulatory and Technical Committees are meeting regularly – Join today and make your voice heard!

As a volunteer-driven organization, the HBA's Jobsite Safety Committee, Permitting Committee, Regulated Utilities Committee and Stormwater Management Committee help guide the HBA's events and activities throughout the year. Consider joining one — or more — if you want to build strong, long-lasting relationships and make a difference to your fellow HBA members, while sharpening your leadership skills. Please visit the HBA website for more information or reach out to Morgan Cullen if you are ready to participate.