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In this edition of 'News You Can Use' you will find:
- NAWIC Mixer in Less Than 2 Weeks
- March Remodelers Council Focuses on Workforce Development for Members
- Prop. 414 Campaign
- Pima County Impact Fee Update
- Tech Committee Recap
- Sahuarita Zoning Code Amendment
- FEEDBACK NEEDED - Help improve Sahuarita Permit System
- Legislative Update
- Tucson Snake Not Endangered
- Coffee with Recap
- Member News
- Industry News & Information
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SAVE THE DATE - 2025 NAWIC Mixer
Join us at Whiskey Roads on March 5th to celebrate Women in Construction Week with fellow associations. This mega mixer is a member favorite as we celebrate the amazing women who substantially contribute to the success of the Construction Industry.
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REMODELERS COUNCIL MARCH MEETING
Building upon the momentum of the February meeting where Council members and guests heard from the Director of the Arizona Department of Contractors, the March meeting will feature speakers from Pima Community College’s Employer Engagement Office and Pima County One Stop. Both organizations will highlight how they work with employers to assist in meeting their labor needs. This meeting is open to all SAHBA members, and is a must attend if you need help finding the right employees.
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VOTE 'NO' ON PROP 414
The City of Tucson is asking voters for another tax increase. This time it would be in place for for next 10 years. If approved, Tucson's sales tax rate for goods and services would be 9.2% the highest for a major city in Arizona.
While we acknowledge the effort to fund public safety and address homelessness, SAHBA opposes this measure for the following reasons:
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It makes housing less affordable. With the increased tax the median home price would go up approximately $1,000. According to NAHB, this would "price out" 477 families from being able to buy that home.
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A tax on home building could be unconstitutional. Recently, the Goldwater Institute, on behalf of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, sued the City of Gilbert over a similar tax increase.
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It hurts Tucson businesses and our economy. The high tax rate would deter investment and lead to consumers going outside of the City to save on purchases.
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Sales tax increases are regressive. They place a greater financial burden on middle- and low-income households who spend a larger proportion of their earnings on taxable goods and services compared to higher-income households. Nearly 20% of City residents live at or below the poverty level.
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SAHBA KEEPS FIGHTING FOR FAIR AND REASONABLE IMPACT FEES
SAHBA submitted comments for the February 18th Board of Supervisors Meeting on the County’s Development Impact Fee Land Use Assumptions Report and Infrastructure Improvement Plan, emphasizing concerns about certain roadway elements increasing service levels and advocating for their exclusion from impact fee calculations. We cited the City of Phoenix’s approach as a precedent, where costs like street lighting, signals, sidewalks, and right-of-way acquisition are excluded. Despite these concerns, the Board of Supervisors approved the final report with a 4-0 vote. SAHBA remains committed to balancing infrastructure funding with housing attainability.
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TECH COMMITTEE RECAP
This month’s Technical Committee meeting covered key updates on a range of topics. Karen Cesare of the Central Arizona Water Conservation District provided a comprehensive update on the Colorado River and CAP, addressing long-term water management strategies and post-2026 river operations. Katharine Kent, who serves on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors advisory board highlighted the Department's efforts in construction career development, commercial licensure, legislative priorities, and enforcement actions. The Town of Oro Valley’s General Plan update focused on resident input regarding housing needs, with a significant demand for affordable and diverse housing options. SAHBA is seeking input from members to address development priorities in Oro Valley, with feedback due by February 26. Reach out to Brendan@sahba.org for more info.
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ZONING CODE CHANGE RESOLVES CONFLICT
The Town of Sahuarita is proposing a Zoning Code Text Amendment to clarify the requirements for bufferyards and create an administrative modification process for minor landscaping changes. The amendment resolves a contradiction in the existing code by specifying that bufferyards are required only when a non-residential use is adjacent to residential or vacant residentially zoned property. Additionally, it introduces an easier appeal process by allowing applicants to request minor landscaping modifications through the Planning Director rather than the Board of Adjustment. The Planning and Zoning Commission made no changes, and the amendment will be reviewed by the Town Council on February 24.
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SAHUARITA REQUESTING STAKEHOLDER FEEDBACK ON PERMITTING SOFTWARE
The Town of Sahuarita is seeking feedback on the Accela permitting software to ensure it effectively serves both the town and homebuilders. They are interested in hearing from our members' on your experiences with Accela, including its ease of use and how it compares to other jurisdictions. Additionally, they want to know if Sahuarita’s implementation is more or less user-friendly than elsewhere and if any other permitting software stands out as superior. They appreciate the input to help improve the permitting process for homebuilders in the region. You are encouraged to provide feedback to nbarrett@sahuaritaaz.gov.
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The 2025 Legislative Session is off to a fast start with over 1,800 bills introduced so far. Of those, there are approximately 200 that have made it to SAHBA’s monitoring list. The range of bill topics we track includes: water, HOA management, land use/zoning and regulatory reform. After careful review, and in coordination with the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, SAHBA develops a position on a smaller group of priority bills. Of particular note, SAHBA has weighed in on several bills that would overhaul how HOA’s operate and adversely impact builders/developers who serve as the “declarant” for those communities. There are a number of bills related to water management policies but the one currently in the spotlight is the “Urban to Ag” bill sponsored by Senator Shope, that would incentivize the conversion of farm land (highly water intensive) to residential use (much lower water use). This would be a benefit to development in the Phoenix and Pinal Active Management Areas (AMA’s) that have been under a moratorium for the issuance of new certificates of Assured Water Supply. While we don’t currently have the same issue in the Tucson AMA, SAHBA has advocated for the Tucson AMA to remain in the bill despite the objection of some. A key bill that was passed by the legislature, but vetoed by the Governor, during last year’s session was the Starter Homes Act. The bill, which SAHBA supports, seeks to minimize government restrictions on architecture and design and allow for smaller lot sizes.
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TUCSON SHOVEL NOSE SNAKE
Members of SAHBA who are familiar with the listing of the Pygmy Owl as an endangered species understand the chilling effect these decisions can have on home building. In a bit of good news, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) decision to reject the listing of the Tucson Shovel-Nose Snake as an endangered species. The campaign to list the snake began in 2004, when the Center for Biological Diversity first petitioned the Service. In 2014, the Service issued a Special Species Assessment concluding listing was unwarranted. In 2020, the Center filed a second petition upon which the Service again determined the listing was unwarranted. This decision was upheld by the District Court and now the Court of Appeals. We would like to think this ends the attempt to list the snake,at least until there is a new genetic study. From Day 1, SAHBA has weighed in on the matter through the work of attorney Norm James and the experts at Westland Resources to support the decision not to list and we will continue to do so should there be further attempts in the future.
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RECAP: 'COFFEE WITH' COUNTY ADMINSTRATOR JAN LESHER
SAHBA continues to bring value to our members by facilitating direct conversations with key local leaders. Our recent Coffee With event featuring Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher and Deputy County Administrator Carmine DeBonis was a tremendous success, drawing a full room of engaged members. Discussions covered critical issues, including Pima Prospers, the county’s comprehensive plan, Development Impact Fees, and the potential loss of $150 million in federal grant funding that could impact 20 county departments. Members also gained insight into the closure of the county’s migrant respite center, reinforcing the importance of staying informed on policy decisions that shape our community.
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Upcoming Meetings & Events
Remodelers Council - Wednesday, March 5, Noon at SAHBA
Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, March 11, Noon at SAHBA
Tech Committee - Tuesday, March 18, 3:30p at SAHBA
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MEMBER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
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KB CLOSES ON NEW SUBDIVSION
Last week, SAHBA member KB Home closed on a 51-lot subdivision Cielo Reserve. Development will start immediately, with sales in late 2025.
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INDUSTRY NEWS & INFORMATION | |
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Families Must Spend 38% of Their Income on Mortgage Payments: In a clear sign illustrating the housing affordability challenges facing Americans, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI) found that in the fourth quarter of 2024, a family earning the nation's median income of $97,800 needed 38% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Read more...
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