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Keep up with the HBA’s government affairs efforts in real time. Follow us on our new twitter page, @housing_pdx Builders Review Impacts of Proposed Clean Water Services Water Retention Requirements Clean Water Services (“CWS”) is in the process of updating their design and construction standards for water retention facilities and the HBA has been engaged throughout the process. The proposed updates build on the existing CWS Design and Construction Standards to address the management of runoff volume. They include a variety of approaches such as stream enhancement, on-site detention, and Low Impact Development Approaches, and utilizes a methodology that accounts for landscape setting, historic and anticipated development patterns, project size, and stream condition. The HBA is currently vetting the draft proposal through a technical working group and has engaged the services of a consulting firm to further analyze the impacts of the proposed new standards. We encourage members to review and comment on the proposal, which is tentatively scheduled to be heard before the Washington County Board of Commissioners on March 19, 2019. For more information, please contact Government Affairs Manager James Adkins jamesa@hbapdx.org. Tualatin Votes to Join Lake Oswego and West Linn in Possibly Illegal Stafford Area Intergovernmental Agreement Last week, the Tualatin City Council voted 5-2 to enter a 3-party intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Lake Oswego and West Linn, which covers the future of development in the Stafford area. HBA strongly opposes the moratorium language contained in the IGA, which places significant restrictions on planning for a UGB expansion in the area north of the Tualatin River for 10 years. It also places restrictions on the ability to plan for a UGB expansion into any part of Stafford until the state designs, funds ,and schedules the widening of I-205. The HBA is currently meeting with local stakeholders, Metro, and Clackamas County to discuss next steps. For more information contact Ezra Hammer ezrah@hbapdx.org. HBA Forms Working Group to Push Back Against City of Hillsboro’s Proposed Water System Development Charge Increases The City of Hillsboro is considering an increase to their Water System Development Charge (“WSDC”). The HBA has met with the City and local stakeholders to review the plan and provide feedback on the effects of the proposal to the cost of housing. The proposal includes a 19.3% increase to WSDC rates for single family homes, for a rate of $10,300, which represents 95% of the maximum allowable fee under the City’s existing WSDC methodology. If approved, the increase would go into effect April 1, 2019. The City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission will consider the proposal on February 12, 2019. To support HBA’s advocacy efforts and learn more about the rate increase contact James Adkins jamesa@hbapdx.org. After reviewing HBA testimony, City of Wilsonville Postpones Water SDC Increase The City of Wilsonville is in the process of updating its WSDC methodology and fee schedule. Over the past months, the HBA has met with Wilsonville elected leaders and staff to voice concerns with the proposed methodology. The HBA submitted testimony outlining these concerns and advocating for lower WSDC rates. At the City Council Work Session this week, the Councilors discussed HBA concerns and decided to further revire the proposed methodology. The Mayor and another councilor voiced concerns about the proposed WSDC rate increase and requested full briefings from staff. Following the discussion, the Council voted to continue the proposal to February 21, 2019. The HBA thanks the Councilors for their thoughtful analysis and will continue to advocate for more reasonable WSDC fees. For more information contact James Adkins jamesa@hbapdx.org. HBA Advocates for Incentive Based Approach to City of Portland Bicycle Parking Rules The Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission is considering changes to existing bike parking regulations. The changes would increase the number of long- and short-term bike parking spaces in new buildings from 1 to 1.5 spaces per dwelling unit and would apply in multifamily and mixed-use zones. The HBA advocates for an incentive-based approach that would permit builders to increase bike parking in return for reductions in required vehicle parking. Additionally, we believe that the proposal should include more robust vesting language and fully exempt low-income and senior projects. This issue is managed through the HBA’s Infill Builder and Urban Development Council. For more information contact Ezra Hammer ezrah@hbapdx.org. HBA Supports Commissioner Hardesty’s Approach to Review Building Placard Policy Last year, the Portland City Council passed the Unreinforced Masonry Buildings Ordinance, which requires property owners to display a placard warning about earthquake safety in older buildings, beginning on March 1, 2019. Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who oversees Portland Fire & Rescue, has directed City staff to pause any enforcement of the ordinance until her office has completed further community outreach. Building owners have continually spoken out against the ordinance, raising legitimate concerns regarding unclear signage and the potential to cloud title. The HBA supports increased safety for all buildings in the City and continues to work with decision makers on strategies that could lessen the financial burden the ordinance places on building occupants and owners. We applaud the Commissioner's efforts to ensure that small business owners, non-profits, and faith institutions are able to implement feasible alternatives. For more information, please contact Roseann Johnson at roseannj@hbapdx.org. HBA Meets with PGE to Discuss Enhancements in Builder Services HBA members and staff met with PGE earlier this week to strengthen the existing relationship and strategize on efforts to enhance development services within the utility. Strong customer services are critical to housing projects and delays in communication can cause significant delays. PGE addressed recent staffing transitions and their continued commitment to providing a dedicated development liaison during the construction process as well as the importance of working with expanding cities to ensure that builders are not burdened with unreasonable infrastructure costs. To join future PGE working group meetings contact Ezra Hammer ezrah@hbapdx.org. City of Portland Changes to Demolition Permit Asbestos Requirements Leadership with the Bureau of Development Services have directed permit intake and review staff to accept demolition permit applications prior to asbestos testing and applicable abatement. New administrative rules, that went into effect last 2018, require asbestos testing and any abatement to occur before the submittal of a demolition permit, including those for deconstruction. The HBA and development community highlighted the unnecessary delay these changes impose. Importantly, new housing projects can save critical time when testing and abatement occurs during the demolition permit's mandatory 35-day delay period. Staff are currently reviewing the administrative rules in order to craft changes that reflect these recent shifts in procedure. The HBA thanks the Bureau for taking this creative approach, which will save members time and money during the construction process. For more information contact roseannj@hbapdx.org.