Government Affairs

Will Stakelin
Government Affairs Director

The following information is a brief summary of issues affecting the home building industry. For more information contact Will Stakelin, Government Affairs Director at will@omb.org or 360-754-0912 or 1-800-456-6473.

THURSTON COUNTY
Cost Recovery- OMB staff testified at a public hearing held on February 28 opposing portions of the County's proposed fee increases for Development Services (Land Use).

Testimony received at the hearing prompted Commissioners to hold work sessions on March 24 and April 10 to address concerns expressed by OMB and others.  As a result, the Commissioners requested a revised fee schedule that takes into consideration OMB's concerns.     

Critical Areas Ordinance- The Planning Commission is continuing to work on updates to the Critical Areas Ordinance.  OMB staff is continuing to monitor the process.

LACEY
Design Review- The Lacey Planning Commission held a joint work session with OMB members on March 18 in hopes of reaching a resolution on the proposed design review and zoning changes. 

OMB members successfully worked through a number of concerns with the Planning Commission. OMB staff attended a council work session on April 17 and the item was set on the council's April 24 agenda with a staff and Planning Commission recommendation to adopt. 

Water GFC Increase - The City of Lacey is proposing a 26% rate increase in the water utility general facility charge (GFC) to fund water system improvements.  The item was on the City Council's March 27 agenda for action, but city staff honored OMB's request to delay the matter until city staff and OMB members can meet to discuss the issue and concerns in more detail. 

OMB members and staff met with City Administrators on April 10 to further discuss concerns and the item was placed on OMB's Builder's Council agenda for April 17 and then on the City Council agenda on April 24. 

OLYMPIA
Heat Pump - OMB is working with the City of Olympia to resolve a ruling by the city's Land Use Committee that directed city staff to no longer allow heat pumps in side yards based on a concern by a citizen about the noise generated by the heat pump.

Chambers Basin Moratorium - On March 11, the Olympia City Council voted to extended the Chambers Basin moratorium with boundary changes reducing the moratorium area.  The Council voted 4-3 in favor of adopting the smaller moratorium area with Council members Strub, Otavelli and Messmer voting against reducing the boundaries. 

TUMWATER
Park Impact Fee Ordinance - The city council adopted an increase in Park Impact Fees and implemented 50% ($3,726.86) of the actual calculated fee of $7,453.72.  The increase will be phased in between April 1 and 2009.  The fee will be collected at time of permit issuance and OMB was able to negotiate a credit for certain neighborhood parks facilities.

Transportation Impact Fee Increase - OMB anticipates the City of Tumwater will propose an increase in traffic impact fees within the next several months.  OMB staff will continue to monitor the issue.

MASON COUNTY
GeoTech Review Process - OMB staff and Mason County Chapter members are continuing to work with county Development Services staff to address concerns with the GeoTech Review process.  A follow-up meeting was scheduled for April 23.

TWIN HARBORS
OMB staff is in the process of reviewing the recently released draft of Grays Harbor County's Critical Areas Ordinance.  Staff will review the proposal with chapter members to determine if any action needs to be taken.