I received a letter from the Baldy View Chapter of the Building Industry Association with a 33 question "Candidate Scorecard" attached. This contains the BIA agenda for elected officials and how you answer will determine " If you would like to receive assistance from the BIA Southern California Political Action Committee". If a candidate is getting money from the BIA they have agreed to  the following policies that benefit the BIA instead of the citizens of the community. Here is the cover letter followed by the 33 BIA candidate questions.

August 26, 2008
Baldy View Chapter
Dear Mr. Bosacki:

As you know, San Bernardino County continues to struggle in the midst of a severe economic downturn. The housing recession remains at the core of this economic condition.
To meet future infrastructure challenges and ensure the economic prosperity in our region, we will rely on strong pro-business leadership from our elected officials.

To help educate BlA members for the upcoming November elections, the Baldy View Chapter has prepared the attached candidate profile and scorecard for your consideration. If you would like to receive assistance from the BlA Southern California Political Action

Committee, we respectfully request that you complete and return the enclosed candidate profile and scorecard to the BIA Baldy View Chapter office no later than September 5. You can also send your response by fax at (909) 948-9631.

The home building industry serves as the cornerstone for economic expansion and quality of life enhancements throughout San Bernardino County and California. We hope to partner with pro-business elected leaders who support public policy that facilitates future economic growth by fostering opportunities for families to attain the American Dream of homeownership.

Please feel free to  contact me if you have any questions at 909-945-1884 or carlos@biabuiId.com
Sincerely,
Carlos Rodriguez
Deputy Executive Director BIA Baldy View Chapter
 

BIA Baldy View Chapter 2008 Candidate Scorecard

NAME

POSITION SOUGHT

1. Do you support a temporary reduction in development impact fees for schools, parks, roads, sewer, water or other infrastructure to help housing affordability during the current economic recession?

2. Do you oppose the approach of delaying proposed increases in development impact fees for 60-90 days prior to a formal vote in order to foster a dialogue with the building industry?

3. Do you oppose a "phase-in" approach to increasing development impact fees whereby an approved increase is gradually implemented over the course of two to three years?  

4. Do you support the approach to "grandfather" or exempt projects in the late stages of the permit approval process from new development impact fee increases?

 5. Home builders often are required to pay fees at the time they pull permits although construction may not be completed for several months. Do you support deferring the payment of fees until the later stages of the approval process such as certificate of occupancy?

6. Do you support the construction of apartments at price ranges affordable to residents at an array of income levels?

7. Do you believe that meeting the housing demand in your jurisdiction will have an adverse impact on the quality of life of current residents?

8. Do you believe that meeting the housing demand in your jurisdiction will increase economic growth in your area?

9. Do you support charging an in-lieu fee on each new home built to fund future affordable housing projects in your jurisdiction?

10. Do you support policy that would require home builders to sell a portion of new homes in a development below market value as a means of providing more affordable housing even if the requirement artificially increased prices on the majority of homes in the same development?

11. Do you support open space incentives that help home prices remain affordable such as "density bonuses" whereby a home builder is allowed to increase the number of homes normally permitted in a residential zoned area?

12. Do you oppose the development of master-planned communities that feature some home clustered in closer proximity in order to maximize land for open space and amenities such as parks and trails?

13. Do you support incentives such as the reduction of water connection fees to new homes constructed that utilize water efficient landscaping or sprinkler systems?

14. Do you support the concept of implementing community facilities districts (CFDs) to help finance development impact fees and expedite the enhancement of infrastructure?

15. There is a current annual state wide housing shortage of 40,000 homes for what is needed to meet current demand. With that said, do you believe there is too much residential growth in your area?

16. Do you support the preservation and relocation of native plants to accommodate future housing needs?

17. The BIA estimates that only 38% of San Bernardino County homes sold at the median price of $250,000 so far in 2008 can be purchased by families at the region's median income of $62,000. With that said, do you believe housing affordability in your jurisdiction is a problem?

18. If there are community concerns over growth, do you believe elected officials such as water boards have a responsibility to respond by supporting policies that limit development?

19. Do you believe it is the responsibility of local government to work with the building industry to identify policies that result in a variety of housing options available at a broad range of prices levels?

20. This year the State Legislature passed a law urging local jurisdictions to extend the expiration date 12-months on previously approved maps that are scheduled to expire shortly. Do you support this approach?

21. Do you oppose the concept of allowing smaller lot sizes in some developments in order to reduce overall land costs that drive up housing prices?

22. Do you oppose the concept of allowing more apartments to be built in order to expand the supply of housing options and provide less expensive housing alternatives?

23. Do you support incentives that would encourage the use of alternatives to sod landscaping in the yards of residential development in order to help conserve water?

24. Based on the premise that the ratio of supply and demand impacts overall prices; do you believe local government should work with home builders to enhance housing availability in your jurisdiction to help increase housing price affordability?

25. Do you believe that additional staff or other resources should be invested by local government to expedite the permit approval process?

26. Do you support building new homes closer together on smaller lots to enhance features such as open space, trails and/or other amenities and enhance price affordability?

27. Would you consider temporarily adjusting current design standard requirements to help reduce production costs and improve affordability during the current housing recession?

28. Do you believe building more condominiums or town homes in your area creates too much congestion on local roads?

29. Do you believe employers who provide good job opportunities are more likely to come to communities that offer a variety of new housing options at various price ranges?

30. Do you believe that new housing developments attract more dining, recreational, and business opportunities in your jurisdiction?

31. Would you support the concept of a moratorium that would halt all subsequent home building in the area affected, including homes that needed to be rebuilt, following natural disasters such as fires or floods?

32. Do you support incentives for home builders to offer water efficient sprinkler systems that irrigate the yard?

33. Do you oppose development along major transportation corridors?