February 27, 2023

In this edition of News You Can Use you will find:

Congratulations 2022 Annual Award Winners
Marana Draft Drought Plan
Changes to Tucson Development Code Advance
“Power of Real Estate” Housing Summit
Home Building Outlook for 2023
OSHA Backs Off AZ State Plan
Pima County: Sewer Warranty Period
Town of Marana: Comprehensive Fee Schedule Update
Member Benefits
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Industry News
New & Renewing Members

ANNUAL AWARDS

ADVOCACY

Marana Draft Drought Plan

As Arizona cities and towns prepare for a future with less water, they will be initiating strategies and management plans to appropriately address the situation. The Town of Marana has prepared a Draft Drought Management Plan that seeks to implement various strategies of conservation and resource management. Of note, the draft Plan links various stages of drought and response measures to the shortage tiers on the Colorado River. The measures include moratoriums on new service agreements and permitting. SAHBA has prepared this comment letter to provide feedback and suggestions that seek to advance Town management objectives while allowing growth and development to continue with minimal interruption.

Changes to Tucson Development Code Advance

The Planning Commission of the City of Tucson met last week to discuss several proposed changes to the Unified Development Code. The proposed changes are a result of a months long process initiated by the City to explore ways to improve the Code for industry professionals that will lead to outcomes that benefit the community by helping facilitate quality development projects. SAHBA provided a letter in support of several proposed changes that will seek to increase ease of development and increase supply of housing including one proposal that should allow for construction of townhomes in the City limits something that is nearly impossible to do currently. SAHBA opposed a measure that will add additional time and expense when seeking changes to certain conditions of a rezoning. The items will go before the City Council in the near future.

Judge Issues Order in SAHBA v. Town of Marana

The recent opinion by the Arizona Supreme Court, which found in favor of SAHBA in its case against the Town of Marana regarding impact fees that were out of compliance with State Statute, remanded the case to the Superior Court. The case has been assigned to Gary Cohen who recently issued an orde r on the matter that outlines preferred strategies for moving it forward in an expeditious manner. SAHBA will continue to provide updates.

Home Building Outlook for 2023

This month’s TREND Report features an article by SAHBA President David Godlewski on the current and anticipated challenges and opportunities for home builders. You can click here to read the full article. Special thanks to TREND’s Managing Editor Karen Schutte for the opportunity.

“Power of Real Estate” Housing Summit Rounding into Form

SAHBA and the Tucson Association of Realtors (TAR) have taken an unprecedented step in collaborating on the production of a multi-faceted half-day conference for industry professionals. The goal is to provide attendees with valuable and usable information as they prepare to address the real estate needs of Southern Arizona in 2023 and the future. Scheduled speakers include: National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun; Director of University of Arizona Water Research Resource Center Dr. Sharon Megdal; Tucson Airport Authority CEO Danette Bewley; Representative Alma Hernandez and Representative Gail Griffin; and many others.

Sponsors of the event include Tucson Appliance, Southwest Gas, Fidelity National Title, Mattamy Homes and TEP.

SAHBA members are encouraged to attend the event and can click here to purchase tickets.

OSHA Backs Off AZ State Plan

Last April, OSHA announced it would seek to revoke the “State Plan” of Arizona over what it considered to be failures to meet appropriate workplace safety programs and standards. Arizona is one of twenty-two states that administer their own plan but it is still subject to federal oversight. After a public comment period, in which NAHB, SAHBA and HBACA urged OSHA to withdraw its proposed proposal, OSHA decided to leave the plan in place citing Arizona's efforts to complete “significant actions” to address the concerns raised by the Department. Click here for more information.

Pima County: Sewer Warranty Period

To wastewater stakeholders, there is an upcoming public hearing and comment period on a proposed change to the Pima County Ordinance regarding the seller’s warranty of contributed sanitary sewer systems. The Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is requesting an extension of the warranty period, from one year to two years. The public will have the opportunity to speak on the proposed changes during the public hearing, which is scheduled for the Pima County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 18, 2023, 9:00am, at the Pima County Administration Bldg., Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, 130 W. Congress, 1st Floor, Tucson, Arizona. Submit comments to Jennifer Barroso at jennifer@sahba.org.

Town of Marana: Comprehensive Fee Schedule Update

The Town of Marana is in the process of considering changes to the comprehensive fee schedule and will be needing our input. These changes will be up for public hearing at the next Marana Town Council meeting on March 7th,2023, 6:00pm, at the Marana Municipal Complex. To review the Town’s annual fee schedule update, click here. For additional information on these topics, please attend SAHBA’s Technical Committee meetings, where proposed code changes are discussed and reviewed. Submit comments to David Godlewski at david@sahba.org.

MEMBER BENEFITS

Did you know, NAHB offers education opportunities to improve your skills, advance your career, and network with industry peers? You can take advantage of live online courses, webinars, and continuing education courses by visiting the NAHB Education webpage.

MEETINGS & EVENTS

SAHBA Membership Committee Meeting

SAHBA is looking for members to participate in the Membership Committee.

The Membership Committee supporters help onboard new members and assist in recruiting, retaining, and recognizing membership accomplishments and activities.

February 28, 2023

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

SAHBA

2840 N. Country Club Rd.

Email Yvette at yvette@sahba.org or call 520-429-4734

Tucson Development Center Training

SAHBA has partnered with the Tucson Development Center to offer trainings with City staff on the new permitting system launched in late October of last year. These trainings have provided members with the opportunity to sit at a table with staff and raise awareness to specific topics or issues they are having in their experience with TDC Online. SAHBA will be holding a third training session with the City on March 8th from 11a to 1p. Bring your laptops and join us for lunch.

Women in Construction Week Network Mixer

Wednesday, March 8th

Barrio Brewing Co.

4:30 - 7:00pm

Free for all SAHBA members

RSVP to nawictucaz122@gmail.com

"The Power of Real Estate Summit"

Hear from experts on the powers of real estate around land development, housing affordability, water, economic development, and more.

March 10th at The Tucson Convention Center

7:30 am - Registration & Breakfast Networking

8:30 am-Summit

Tickets: $99 (includes breakfast)

Women's Professional Clothing Exchange

Join Desert Sunset Realty for a FREE women's professional clothing exchange event benefitting Sister Jose Women's Center.

Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, giveaways & more!

Event Location: The L Offices North- 1860 E River Rd Suite 325, Tucson, AZ 85718

Date: Sunday, March 12, 2023

Times: 1 PM - 3 PM

Turn The Tables

Builders, trade contractors, and service providers will have the opportunity to meet face-to-face to create and strengthen relationships at this causal, yet high-energy event!

March 22, 2023

RAIL YARD, 610 S. Park Ave

8am - 10am

Tickets are on Sale March 1, 2023

Sponsorships Available Now

Email courtney@sahba.org or call 520-918-2363

Download Flyer & Sponsorship Opportunties

Upcoming Councils & Committees - Mark Your Calendars!

Membership Committee - Tuesday, February 28th at 4pm (SAHBA)

Remodelers Council - Wednesday, March 1st at 12pm (SAHBA)

Business Referral Exchange (BRE) - Tuesday, March 7th at 7:30am (SAHBA)

Purchasing Round Table - Thursday, March 9th at 9am (SAHBA)

Sales & Marketing Council - Tuesday, March 14th at 12pm (Hybrid)

Technical Committee - Tuesday, March 21st at 3:30pm (Hybrid)

INDUSTRY NEWS

Industry News

The results are in for Housing Market Index's annual survey, "Special Questions on Significant Problems Builders Faced in 2022 and Expect to face in 2023". The price and availability of building materials again topped the list of problems builders faced last year, but interest rates, general inflation and negative media moved considerably up the list. Click here to see the full breakdown of the survey results.

On the latest episode of Housing Developments, NAHB CEO Jerry Howard and Chief Lobbyist Jim Tobin provide a recap of a successful 2023 International Builders' Show, an economic overview for the year ahead and insights into the 2024 presidential race. Listen to the full podcast here.

Although rising builder sentiment indicates a turning point for housing later this year, lackluster single-family production in January is a sign that the housing sector faces further challenges, as elevated mortgage rates and high construction costs continue to put a damper on the market. Continue reading this NAHB article that breaks down the current stats.

NAHB and six other organizations have sent a joint letter to Energy Sec. Jennifer Granholm to sound the alarm that the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent rulemaking proposal to increase the energy conservation standards for producing electrical transformers will severely exacerbate the current supply shortage. Click here to read the joint letter and to learn more about the potential impacts of the DOE plan.

Missed the 2023 IBS Leadership Meetings? Click here to view some of the highlights!

Welcome, New Members

JR McDade Company

Stewart Title & Trust of Tucson

T.A.B. Tile and Stone

Tucson Cabinets and Stoneworks

(Referred by Todd Glick, A.F. Sterling Home Builders)

Thank you, Renewing Members

A Handyman's Haven

AAA Landscape

Action Imaging Group

Alliance Bank of Arizona

Amerson Surveying, Inc.

Apcon Construction

Arizona Appliance & Home

Bednar Design & Construction

Bowman Consulting Group

Cadden Community Management

Casa Linda Designs, LLC

Cassmar Development

Cathey's Vacuum & Sewing

Creative Awards

Eagle Roofing Products

EPAC

Fidelity National Title Agency

First Impression Ironworks

Intelligent Design AC & Heating

JMKS Carpentry

Johnson-Manley Lumber

JW Shaffer Electric Co

KB Home

Life Director - Charlie Bowles

Life Director - Michael Whyde

Life Director - Paula Meade

Marum & Associates Engineering

Mattamy Homes

McCaleb Design & Construction

Patio Pools of Tucson

Pella Windows & Doors Mountain West

Pulte Group

Rancho Sahuarita

Richmond American Homes of Arizona

Rick Engineering Company

Russett Southwest Corporation

SLB Construction

SolidSurface.com

Summit Brick Company

Sunset Custom Homes

Tank's/The Fairfax Companies

Terra Designs

The Planning Center

Tom White Carpentry, Inc.

Trench-Ade, LLC.

TREND Report

United Real Estate Southern Arizona - JU

West Coast Innovations