Gov't Affairs News

The monthly meetings are being eliminated in favor of email lists of members with interests and knowledge in specific topics/issues. When issues develop that require meetings/coordination, Committee members will be notified. Please email if you are a member would like to be included on this list.

The year started with West Virginia’s legislative session. EPHBA was directly involved with several issues - plumber licensing, contractor licensing changes and numerous land use bills. We were instrumental in improving several bills that passed. There was also significant effort to provide information to legislators preventing bad bills from passage.

On the local front, several issues took their turn at the top of our immediate action list. First up was facilitating a change to the Berkeley County Public Service Water District billing procedures. Members were being charged a monthly fee even though there was no service connected. Then it was on to the water district capacity improvement fees. It is important that these fees be reasonable and benefit members. We continue to maintain a working relationship with the BCPSWD.

The City of Martinsburg proposed a “development fee”. EPHBA government affairs staff and members were quick to research and prepare comments. Documentation and EPHBA public testimony were successful in removing the proposal from current consideration. This action saved members and the industry $3500 per building permit.

Jefferson, Morgan and Berkeley County have proposed several land use regulations and revisions. This has been the focus of numerous meetings and input. The GA Committee, staff and members completed a successful review of the Berkeley subdivision ordinance draft. A series of meetings and coordinated effort resulted in the tabling of the proposed draft. The final document should be much better based on the submitted comments. EPHBA was also instrumental in coordinating review of Berkeley’s storm water management ordinance. Virtually all issues with the original draft were addressed in the final document. Government affairs continues to coordinate review and comment on ordinance proposals. We are also are getting input from NAHB on local ordinances. It will provide helpful background information to evaluate local initiatives with national trends.

EPHBA Government Affairs has also been active with state issues. Our association drafted the state resolution opposing mandatory residential sprinkler systems. We are also the lead association in advising on zoning, impact fee, transferable development rights and annexation issues. Staff also brought the issue of roadside directional (bandit) signs to West Virginia's DOT/DOH. A detailed proposal was drafted for consideration. This initiative outlining the issue and possible working solutions was rejected by the DOT Commissioner.

On the national level, EPHBA GA staff participated in the NAHB legislative day in Washington, DC. EPHBA directly participated with the WV congressional delegation in discussion of financial and guest worker legislation pending passage. It was an important and effective event.

EPHBA government affairs committee and staff would like to thank all members for their support through the past year. We will continue to work with elected public and appointed officials regarding regulation and policy.

To submit your comments, please contact Fred Blackmer, - EPHBA Director, Government Affairs - 304-267-4710 or by email.

The following is an Update from Nov. 5, 2007
Jefferson County
Jefferson County has released the latest Zoning Ordinance draft. (Click here to review) The table of contents is nine pages. I hope some of you will be able to look at the sections which have the most impact on your business and properties. Send us your comments or questions.

Berkeley County
Martinsburg continues to look at "development fees". We are keeping in close contact with city officials on the matter. It is still in the preliminary discussion phase. Under other issues, the organization is working to improve the building permit process. We are hoping to create a cooperative effort to benefit applicants and the city.

Morgan County
Morgan County is also working on land use and development issues. Utilities, building codes and Zoning continue to be discussed. Hopefully we can find common issues and solutions in all three jurisdictions. That will make operations much more predictable for members in the panhandle.

The following note to EPHBA members is an excerpt from the October 2007 EPHBA Foundations Newsletter:

Our entire membership is feeling the effect of current regulatory and economic activities. The panhandle is trying to deal with infrastructure growing pains while the building industry is in a slower cycle. Local governments are attempting to strengthen development restrictions while expanding economic growth. Hardliners are demanding blood when all that’s left is sweat. Workers and public employees are looking for relief from escalating taxes and housing affordability while materials, labor and land prices continue to climb. Bargains are out there but at the expense of desperation. These are tough times for many.

The organization can’t do much toward fixing National economic conditions but we are continuing to work closely with local government. We are also putting even more effort in advertising, awareness programs and member support.

The Government Affairs staff and member committees are working hard. There is a high level of coordinated participation in the panhandle regulatory and policy changes being proposed. Morgan, Jefferson and Berkeley are fully involved with expanding land use regulation. We have been quite successful bringing technical review and common sense judgments to proposed rules changes and ordinance revisions. There have also been discussions related to infrastructure and fees. It is very important that we continue to be represented and provide positive input. A strong membership will continue a seat at the table.

Members and staff have had some “wins”. The most resent and notable involve fees and ordinance revisions. Coordinated member comment and effort have had a significant impact on The Berkeley County subdivision and storm water management (SWM) ordinance rewrites. A broad based member committee provided significant comment on subdivision regulation proposals. The detail and coordination proved to local officials that serious flaws needed to be addressed. The effort that went into this was truly remarkable. In the past few weeks there has also been significant involvement in the SWM ordinance changes. Virtually all major issues in the original draft have been addressed as a result of member participation. Martinsburg’s proposed “development fee” proposal has been tabled indefinitely. This is also a direct result of EPHBA staff and member activities.

There is still much work to be done. The organization through its members and staff will continue to protect the industry position as new regulations and fees are being proposed. The Government Affairs staff is always available for questions, suggestions and concerns. Contact Fred Blackmer, - EPHBA Director, Government Affairs - 304-267-4710 or by email.

Government Affairs Updates

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