We often speculate about what’s behind the scenes with Charlotte’s UDO, set to launch June 1, 2023. So, we decided to go to the source! Our latest podcast episode features the ebullient Alyson Craig, current Planning Director for the City of Charlotte. The interview is fast paced, yet entertaining, as you get to know the private and public persona of Alyson. Hear her boldly deliver advice on how REBIC members can MORE effectively offer valuable insight on UDO issues with her statement, “Don’t be late to the party,” and “Engage early and engage often!” But behind her nimble responses you find a passionate municipal powerhouse of perspective. With over 25 years of experience, Alyson is one of the few in her field with a background in in all levels of government (local, state, and federal), and in the private sector, as well as the university level leading a graduate program teaching courses in Planning and Development. That savvy reaches across land use planning, entitlements, due diligence, community outreach, budget and staff management, and communications.
My take: Alyson has a huge job ahead of her and many interests to balance. If in a couple of years from now, we end up with a development process that is reasonably streamlined and provides a level of certainty that does not exist today, she will have served the community well.
(Sen. Paul Newton and HBAGC Members)
Yesterday, I joined several members of the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte (HBAGC) for a visit to the North Carolina General Assembly. We had a great time catching up with Senator Todd Johnson (Union, Cabarrus County), Senator Paul Newton (Cabarrus County), and Representatives Terry Brown, Brandon Lofton, and John Bradford (Mecklenburg County).
(Rep. John Bradford and HBAGC Members)
These folks have been busy. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the bills we discussed:
HB 488/SB 372: Code Council Reorganization and Code Amendments
• Annual Building Code Regulatory Reform Bill
• Establishes residential building code council focused on residential construction
• Prohibits modifications to certain sections of the Residential Code until the new code council is in place
• Adds triplexes and quads to residential code
• Specifies that private roadways shall be built to no greater than NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) standardsStatus – Passed House, in Senate Rules Committee
HB 600: Regulatory Reform Act of 2023
• Reforms stormwater regulations
• Provides utility billing flexibility
• Establishes “shot clock” addressing NCDOT responsiveness for subdivision roadway petitionsStatus – Passed House, in Senate Rules Committee
SB 686: Regulatory Reform Act of 2023
• Contains numerous stormwater reforms including new rules on capture and runoff
• Addresses out-of-date wastewater design flow numbers used for permitting new connectionsStatus – In Senate Agriculture Committee, to be moved as part of a larger measure
HB 259: 2023 Appropriations Act
• Includes funding for the Be Pro Be Proud program – virtual reality simulators for middle and high school students to provide hands-on experience in the trades
• Directs the Department of Public Instruction to allow courses created by the Home Builder Institute as an option for local school districts
• Establishes shortened timeframe for the NC Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to review stormwater permitsStatus – In Conference Committee
HB 130: Preserving Choices for Consumers
• Prohibits local governments from mandating all-electric heating and appliancesStatus – Passed House, in Senate Rules Committee
SB 673: Wastewater Regulatory Relief Act
• Addresses the issue of out-of-date wastewater design flow numbers used for permitting new connections
• Lowers calculation rate and allows permittees to exceed permitted flow rate to 110% in fast-growing counties and 115% when system expansion is within 24 months of completionStatus – Passed Senate, in House Rules Committee
SB 582: North Carolina Farm Act of 2023
• Restores previous state wetlands definition, helps to eliminate regulatory uncertaintyStatus – In Senate Agriculture Committee
HB 537: Workforce Housing Act
• Appropriates $100 million to fund the “Reaching the American Dream Loan Pool”
• Provides subordinate mortgage loans for first-time and veteran homebuyers
• Household income must be 80% of area median income (AMI) or below
• Loan must be repaid in full to loan pool if sold within 5 years, fully forgiven after 10 yearsStatus – In House Finance Committee
My take: The HBAGC has an engaged and knowledgeable membership, evident throughout the course of our time spent in Raleigh. They also have a juggernaut of a lobbying team working on their behalf at the legislature. If even one third of these measures gain final approval, the state will have gone a long way to meeting its housing supply needs.
Rob Nanfelt
Executive Director, REBIC