Building Industry Association of San Diego County
eWeekly Newsletter
October 11, 2016
BIAPAC Voter Guide: Let the Voting Begin
By Matt Adams    
   The BIA Political Action Committee has announced its official endorsements for the November General Election. The  BIAPAC Voter Guide comes as voters looking to get a head start begin to cast ballots at the Registrar of Voters office or by mail. Thousands of advanced voting ballots will hit mail boxes this week in what has become a major trend for citizens in San Diego and elsewhere. More than 60% of ballots casts are done before Election Day and this election will be no different. The Voter Guide is available to BIA members at our Kearny Mesa offices or though the website.  


San Diego Planning Commission Says Uptown
No Place for Downzone
By Matt Adams 
   The San Diego Planning Commission rejected the Uptown Community Plan update that included a major downzone in the number of new homes that could be built in the community located North of Downtown and West of Balboa Park. The unanimous vote came after a day-long hearing that had housing and transit advocates opposing the 2,000 unit reduction while some local planning group members sought even greater cuts. The BIA, joined by Housing You Matters and YGen members, testified against the city's plan citing a decades plus Housing State of Emergency due to a chronic shortage that has seen prices climb to historic highs. The Planning Commission voted to keep the existing land use map, while adopting new development regulations and eliminate the height restrictions that have been in place for over 8 years. The Commission's vote is merely advisory as the plan now goes to the Smart Growth and Land Use Committee on October 16th, followed by a full city council hearing in November.
Defenders of Housing Drop by BIA
Pictured L to R:
Lake Coulsen (NAHB), Mike Neal (BIA PAC Chairman), Rita Brandin (BIA Secty/Treas, BIA PAC V. Chair), Wil Cooper Jr. (NAHB Build PAC Trustee), Wil Cooper Sr. (NAHB Build PAC Trustee), Congressman Darrell Issa, David Poole (BIA Immediate Past Chairman, BIA PAC), Congressman Duncan Hunter.

By Matt Adams 
   Congressmen Darrell Issa and Duncan Hunter were the guests of honor at a BIA luncheon in support of the National Association Of Homebuilders PAC. The San Diego County Congressional Representatives were greeted to a packed BIA Board Room and received the industry's Defenders of Housing Award for their steadfast support of industry issues. Both Issa and Hunter clocked in with 100% voting records on the industry's most important issues. The 90 minute luncheon included a robust question and answer session whereby members in attendance were briefed on the latest developments on pending federal legislation that affects the building industry.
BIA Membership Renewal Invoices Mailed
   BIA San Diego Membership Renewal Invoices were just mailed for 2017 membership dues. In our effort to keep records current , we have enclosed company information, including primary contact, address, phone, email, fax, and website, as well as a roster of those names listed under your company. 
   Please verify all company and employee information and send any updates and corrections via email to Robin Richardson or by fax to 858-552-1445. If  you have not received you renewal invoice by now, please contact Robin by email or phone at 858-514-7029. 
Vista Irrigation District Considers Fee Increases
By Mike McSweeney      
   The Vista Irrigation District (VID) is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, October 19th at 8:30am at their district headquarters to discuss increases in connection and capacity fees.  If you have, or are considering projects within the VID, please consult the  attached PDF . The proposed increases average between 1.5-2.2%.  In addition to the proposed increases, the VID is proposing decreases of 10-22% for temporary construction meters (1" meters) with backflow preventers.
   If you have any questions you can contact Matt Adams at the BIA at 858-514-7008.
Brush Management
By Mike Regan, President, Pacific Green Landscape, Inc.
   Even with the recent rain in September, our state is still in a drought status. Many landscapes and open spaces are still dry and brown.  Managing the brush around your property and creating a defensible space is a wise precaution.  Your landscape contractor should be able to help. 
   "In the October 2003 wild fires, many homes and structures were destroyed because they did not have a defensible space," said Mark Mazalewski, branch manager, Pacific Green Landscape. "Now the county and cities throughout the San Diego region have ordinances that require residents to keep their property free of fire hazards including vegetation, green waste and trash. Residents can comply with this ordinance by creating a defensible space around their homes and property."
Read More
White House Gets on Housing Bandwagon
By The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board
   Wi th any luck, 2016 will be remembered as the year that California finally realized there is an obvious solution to our housing crisis - adding housing stock - and gave up on the failed policies of the past. Gov.  Jerry Brown 's most important legislation may have  stalled , but it will re-emerge in the future as more and more Californians realize that the status quo of extremely expensive housing will keep poverty rates sky-high, drive their children to other states and make it increasingly difficult for the Golden State to attract and retain talented workers.
Brand new Children's Pool lifeguard tower closed amid rats, rust, sewage
By By Lauryn Schroeder, San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board    
   San Diego on June 27 opened the new $4.7 million lifeguard tower at La Jolla Children's Pool beach - a milestone that was to be short-lived, as the facility closed three weeks later amid sewage backups and other construction flaws. ...
   ...Borre Winckel, CEO of the San Diego Building Industry Association, said building regulations in California make delays and extra expenses unavoidable at times, but he was surprised that a lifeguard tower would cause as much trouble as it did.
   "In a state with the longest coastline in the country, we should have a templated kit on how to build a lifeguard tower by now," Winckel said. "Deviation from the original design could have created a domino effect."
 
IN THIS ISSUE:
Welcome New Members

Copper Creek Hardware
951-600-9144

Perry Commercial RE
619-531-1643

RMP Supply Trim, Inc.
858-414-4101


New Member Orientations
are held the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 9:00-10:30am at the BIA office. RSVP to Robin Richardson.


Upcoming Events
Meet the Builder / Developer Teams #2
When October 20 at 5:00pm 
(Doors open at 4:00pm for P2 Sponsors only.)
Where Hilton Mission Bay
Price increases Friday!
The Art of Hiring & Firing Educational Seminar
When November 1 at 7:30am
Where : BIA
y|GEN End of Year Party & Mentor Appreciation Event
When November 10 at 5:00pm
Where Draft Republic
y|GEN Members & Mentors Only!
2017 Economic Forecast
Annual Dinner & Political Leaders Reception
When November 17 at 5:00pm
Where Sheraton Carlsbad