The HBA Advocate Newsletter | February 7, 2023
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February 7, 2023 |
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Littleton Anti-Growth Referendum Concerns City Residents For the second time in less than one year, a small group of anti-growth residents in Littleton has collected signatures to force a special referendum. Question 300, set for a March 7 vote, seeks to change the City Charter to reduce by half the number of signatures needed to create all future referendums. With merely 1,800 signatures, their referendum will then compel Littleton to hold a snap special election, just 60 to 150 days after they submit signatures (rather than voting held during a general election in November, as the current Charter allows). This would empower special interest groups intent on restricting development since special elections often have very low turnout...allowing these narrow issues to only get the angry minority’s attention (and votes). If this March 2023 referendum passes, it will empower this small group of obstructionist residents. It will allow them to easily force a citywide special election on any project or ordinance they wish to block. We all know how bad this will be for Littleton, the impact it would have on attainable housing and the negative precedent it would set for the metro area. The HBA of Metro Denver is supporting local grassroots efforts to defeat this proposal at the ballot box. This will be an ongoing issue that our members will want to pay close attention to this spring whether you are actively building in the City of Littleton or not. As we have seen with other anti-growth related policies in the past, local issues in one jurisdiction can have reverberating consequences in neighboring jurisdictions. The HBA will continue to keep members updated on this important ballot question. |
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Commerce City Council Gives Green Light to Transportation and Stormwater Fee Increases Last night, the Commerce City Council unanimously passed a series of transportation and stormwater impact fees on first reading. The city is justifying the increases based on a $633 million shortfall for arterial roadways and the fact that they have not increased in over 20 years. The city has highlighted similar shortfalls for badly needed stormwater improvements. The proposed increases would apply to all new homes, industrial complexes, retail establishments and shopping centers although Council elected to reduce impact fees for commercial development by 50 percent. The current transportation fee for single-family detached homes is $1,181 and would increase anywhere from $2,670 to $6,957, depending on where the development is located. On the stormwater side, the current fee for single-family detached homes is anywhere between $1,700 and $3,053 per developable acre, depending on where the development is located, and would increase anywhere from $36,067 to $54,648 per impervious acre. This would amount to anywhere between $3,481 to $5,269 per single family lot. Developers who make road improvements in the city would be eligible for credit to help offset these costs. A second reading vote has been scheduled for March 6th with a full implementation for the fee assessment beginning in May 2023. |
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Metro Housing Coalition Set to Weigh In on Denver Election On April 4, the City of Denver will be holding municipal elections for the first time in four years, with an open seat for mayor and 12 City Council seats up for grabs. This year, 68 residents have declared their candidacy, making it the largest election field in Denver history. With attainable housing in Denver consistently ranked as one of this year’s most critical issues, the Metro Housing Coalition is making a push to elect pro-housing candidates up and down the ballot. Issues like inclusionary zoning, net zero energy, rent control, permitting delays and construction litigation have been top of mind for Denver policy makers over the past couple years and all would have a huge impact on residential construction for many years to come ? clearly making this year’s election extremely important for our industry. With voters having approved the Denver Fair Elections Fund in 2018, this will be the first election in Denver that will almost completely rely on public funds, individual and small donor donations. Candidate questionnaires have already been received and MHC Board members will be conducting interviews over the next several weeks before making final endorsement decisions. While the election is initially set for April 4, due to the large candidate field, the MHC expects and is preparing for a number of runoff elections to be decided later this spring. We will continue to keep our members updated on the outcome of these contest and their inevitable impact on our industry going forward. |
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2022 HBA Advocacy Efforts Had $130 Impact on Housing Policy Throughout last year, The HBA of Metro Denver Advocacy team has worked tirelessly to make sure developers, builders and associate members have the most favorable business environment possible to bring new homes to market. The HBA of Metro Denver staff and our members have collectively combatted ballot questions, detrimental changes to metro districts, construction-tax proposals, inclusionary-zoning ordinances, fee increases and many other issues that directly impact our industry’s ability to bring much-needed attainable housing opportunities to Colorado residents. While much of our collective efforts cannot be quantified, we have achieved the following tangible results that will help make the essential work of building homes easier and more affordable. Quantifiable savings to our builders and industry over the past 12 months include: |
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HBA of Metro Denver Issue Tracker |
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HBA is looking for Members to Participate in Advocacy, Regulatory and Technical Committees in 2023 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. |
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Thank you to HBA's 2023 Organizational Partners: |
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Corporate Partners: |
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Contact Connie Dahl for more info on becoming an HBA Sponsor! |