Last week an energized delegation of more than twenty members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte (HBAGC) visited with members of the North Carolina General Assembly to make the case for promoting, supporting, and prioritizing housing affordability agendas. Several Representatives with backgrounds in the industry were on hand to present details about their ongoing efforts including Rep. Jeff Zenger and Rep. Mathew Winslow.
We were also visited by Senator Todd Johnson from Union County, who is a strong contender for the position of Senate President Pro Tem, a position that will be open when Sen. Phil Berger completes his term at the end of the year. Sen. Johnson listened intently as HBAGC members discussed the specific challenges they face. His responses were empathetic, as he relayed his own difficult experience with a local building department.
We were also visited by Dave Boliek, the North Carolina State Auditor, who discussed some of his current areas of focus, and asked our group for assistance in identifying all opportunities in which his office may investigate potential instances of fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
In addition, we met with Luke Farley, the North Carolina Labor Commissioner. A face you recognize every time you step into an elevator. Farley brings his experience as a practicing attorney in the area of workplace safety to this position, and has already visited numerous job sites at the kind invitation of several of our members.
Here’s more information about some of the topics discussed during our visit:
My Take: Our particular group from the HBAGC was very knowledgeable and was excited to engage. For their part, the legislators and other key officials were pleased to hear from us and were vocally thankful for the crucial role our members play in bolstering our growing economy. Several elected officials encouraged us to identify two to three specific things, in terms of legislation, that would enable our industry to better meet the daunting housing challenges we face. — My top three would be (1) specifying that water and sewer allocations be made, as they should be, in order of request — first in line, first in right, (2) limiting the number of plan reviews to ensure things do not drag on endlessly, or lead to new concerns raised late in the process, and (3) provide standing to groups like REBIC, Canopy, the HBAGC, NAIOP, or the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association to advocate in a court room when local governments refuse to follow state statute.
We’d like to hear from you on this because NOW IS THE TIME TO SPEAK UP. Are there other changes that might make a difference? [email protected]
Last Friday, during our Canopy Government Affairs Committee Meeting, we were pleased and honored to have Mecklenburg County Commission Chair Mark Jerrell as our guest. During the course of his presentation, in which he masterfully presented a balanced view of his beliefs and approach, Jerrell deftly explained how important it is to understand the differences between the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in terms of responsibilities, priorities, and especially cultural focus. Calling that acknowledgment a critical bridge to success, he felt the right approach by our industry will improve our encounters with the County, helping to achieve success on every level.
To help you understand the differences between the two bodies of government, please note that:
The Charlotte City Council is responsible for:
The Mecklenburg County Commission is responsible for:
He shared with our committee the County’s top priorities. Those being education (as the great leveler), environmental stewardship, economic development and its corresponding fiscal health, and the importance of workforce development. He spoke boldly about collaboration, and mentioned his passion for ensuring all voices are heard. Each of these comments dovetailed into our own mission of championing prosperity, and we appreciate his respect for the subject matter that keeps our goals in focus.
When speaking of education, he discussed it as an equalizer and a door opener for all, no matter your socioeconomic status. He mentioned the importance of parks and other recreational sites as contributors to a positive quality of life. Regarding housing he agreed on the need to prioritize our focus to deliver workforce housing in high opportunity areas, not just fringe locations. And finally, as we would all agree, mental health issues continue to keep demanding our attention. Overall, he wants to support our efforts to build, without hindrance, places for people to live, thrive, and contribute to their communities.
As he closed his comments, his plea was honest and accessible: “Where can we all lean in?” And in the same spirit of collaboration shared, “lack of housing [for those who need it] is a threat to all our priorities.” He even went so far as to comment on the fact that NIMBY-ism, and their pushback, is one enemy to solving our national problem of housing supply.
If you want to learn more about his stand on many issues, we encourage you to listen to our latest Getting Real with Rob podcast featuring Chairman Jerrell. Listen here to learn more about his priorities for Mecklenburg County.
My Take: Mark is a reasoned leader with the ability focus on what matters yet comports himself with the kind of humility lacking in so many of today’s elected officials. He knows when to push the pedal down but has the instincts to adjust and ease off when it appears the vehicle is about to hop the curb. We very much enjoyed the time we had with him and appreciate his willingness to carry on the conversation.
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