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Permit Reform Legislation Advances Following NAIOP’s N.C. Advocacy Day

BY TOBY BURKE,   

Members from NAIOP’s three chapters in North Carolina traveled to Raleigh last week to advance the priorities of the commercial real estate development industry in meetings with state lawmakers. The top priority for NAIOP of North Carolina, the state alliance of NAIOP chapters, is the passage and enactment of House Bill 291, permit reform legislation sponsored by State Representative Jeff Zenger.

Local building permits are an essential and fundamental requirement for the development and improvement of commercial and residential properties. However, the processes for obtaining these permits can vary by city and county in North Carolina. These variations lead to uncertainties and delays in projects moving forward, which can impact the costs, financing and contractional relationships with contractors and providers of construction equipment and materials.

The enactment of House Bill 291 would bring reforms to the permitting process similar to those advocated by our local chapter in Georgia which were ultimately enacted into law in that state. These reforms to the local permitting process bring more predictability and accountability, reducing uncertainty and unnecessary delays. Core elements of the bill include:

  • A local permitting entity has 21 days in which review the plans.
  • During the 21 days, the local entity shall resolve issues associated with the application and may seek additional information from the applicant.
  • If additional information is needed or the application must be resubmitted, the permitting entity has 15 days from receipt of the additional information to issue a permit.
  • If the local permitting entity is unable to meet the time parameters, the applicant or inspections department may seek approval from a certified third-party (engineer) or the Department of Insurance.

The North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 291 in May of 2021 on bipartisan vote of 79-33, sending the bill to the state Senate. The legislation was eventually sent to the commerce and insurance committee in March for their consideration. Our meetings last week focused on urging Senate leadership and the committee chairs to move this important legislation forward before adjourning for the year as early as the end of June. NAIOP of North Carolina’s advocacy played a key role in HB 291 being scheduled the following day for a hearing before the insurance committee the subsequent week.


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Strategic Mobility Plan Out Thursday


UDO graphic

Thursday will mark the release of the Strategic Mobility Plan (SMP) draft. The public can access the May 19 meeting at this link.

The SMP’s goal is to shape the mobility future for the City of Charlotte and expand on the “Safe and Equitable Mobility” goal of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan (2040 Plan). The SMP dives deeper into the mobility policies of 2040 Plan to achieve a safe, connected, equitable, sustainable, prosperous, and innovative mobility vision for Charlotte. To learn more, follow this link to the Strategic Mobility Plan homepage.

SMP Virtual Engagement Sessions will be live on Thursday, May 26 (6 p.m.) and Tuesday, May 31 (noon). Meeting links will be available by visiting charlottenc.gov/smp.

Additionally, you can sign up to share input during the public comment portion of the City Council Business Meeting on Monday, June 13, at 6 p.m.

UDO – Updates

On Wednesday, there will be a presentation on the findings related to the Economic Analysis of the draft UDO.


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Raleigh UDO: Lessons Learned | Panel Discussion

 

As Charlotte strives for a UDO, what can we learn from Raleigh? Hear a discussion with public and private perspectives about the process, transition and implementation.

Reminder of Upcoming Election Schedule

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to prepost

Vote

Primary Elections are just around the corner! The time is now to do your research and get involved. As a reminder, the Election schedule is as follows:

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Election Update

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost

Two for Tuesday - REBIC

Important reminder that the comment period for the first draft of Charlotte’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) closes at the end of the day on Friday, March 18th. We anticipate the next draft being released sometime in May and have encouraged a number of changes aimed at providing greater certainty with reduced timelines, more flexibility for challenging projects, and the ability to develop and produce additional housing stock to meet existing and future demands. We hope you will take the time to share your concerns with Planning Staff through the available online comment portal.

Congress Rushing to Reach Spending Deal

 

originally published for NAIOP National

Authorization for continued government spending will expire on Friday, March 11, unless Congress agrees on an omnibus fiscal 2022 appropriations bill or passes another short-term funding extension. The time frame for action is shorter, however, because the House of Representatives is scheduled to recess Wednesday, with Democrats going to Philadelphia for their policy retreat.

House Democrats had planned to pass the omnibus spending bill by Wednesday, but negotiations have been complicated by a White House request for an additional $22.5 billion for COVID-19 relief funding, and the need for supplemental funding for humanitarian, military and economic aid for Ukraine. 

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New District Maps Passed Friday

 

Policy Maps Pic

NC lawmakers pass new political maps, this time with…

North Carolina lawmakers have now passed new political districts for themselves and the state’s 14 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives – but it’s not the final decision, since the court system will still have a say in the matter next week. …

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www.newsobserver.com

Link Up with the Legislative Listserv

 

Last year, the NAIOP Charlotte Legislative E-List was created with the purpose of allowing members in good standing a platform to stay up to date and connected to the many legislative activities going on in Charlotte and the industry as well as participate in ongoing conversations relevant to the commercial real estate development community. Between the 2040 Comp Plan, UDO, Policy Maps, just to name a few, this is a fantastic tool to stay in the know. This list can be managed through your member profile. Follow these steps to sign up today.

Charlotte UDO Updates

 

2040 Policy Map
Charlotte’s 2040 Policy Map, currently undergoing its third iteration, is scheduled to be released next Monday, February 21st with a public hearing to follow on February 28th. We hope the new map will incorporate many of our recommendations, including encouraging higher densities where appropriate and letting the market guide potential future land use options. 

Election Update
The General Assembly is scheduled to vote Wednesday and Thursday of this week on newly drawn Congressional and State House and Senate Districts. Many involved in the process are hoping to reach some sort of compromise so the elections may proceed. Candidate filing is scheduled to recommence on February 24th. If things haven’t been settled by then, look for election dates to be pushed back yet again.


 

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Key Races and Predictions for the 2022 Midterms and Beyond

 

originally published by KATHRYN HAMILTON, CAE for NAIOP National with permission to repost. 

Election Results Pic

Five primary factors will shape this November’s midterm elections. Each has varying degrees of importance, but all solidly affect President Joe Biden’s approval ratings, which influences how people will vote, said Larry Sabato, Ph.D., political prognosticator, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, and founder and director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, during an exclusive NAIOP members-only webinar this week.

Read the Full Article!

New Charlotte Policy Maps

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost

2040 Policy Map Pic

Last summer the City of Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department kicked-off the Charlotte Future 2040 Policy Map process as a first step in putting the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan into action. Thank you to those of you who have participated in engagement in this effort to date.

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Primary Election Date Moves Again

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost.

From the News & Observer:

North Carolina Senate Republicans plan on Wednesday to postpone the state’s primary elections to June 7, citing ongoing litigation of the newly enacted redistricting maps. The state Supreme Court scheduled arguments in the redistricting case for Feb. 2. The court in December pushed back the primary from its original March 8 date to May 17, as part of an expedited hearing schedule for challenges to the redrawn maps. But Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, said Monday that the current schedule “is an extremely short timeframe that will cause unnecessary confusion and chaos.”

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Charlotte UDO & Policy Maps Update

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost. 

2040 Policy Map Pic

New schedule for Policy Map announced today:

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Register for Tuesday's Special Webinar: Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball

Sabato Webinar

Political analyst Larry Sabato, Ph.D., will give his up-to-the-minute update on politics in this engaging and informative webinar. He will discuss today's political landscape, the midterm elections, and what we can expect Congress and the Biden administration to focus on moving forward.  

Sabato is a New York Times bestselling author, recipient of four Emmy awards, and one of the nation’s most respected political analysts.

A Rhodes Scholar, Sabato is the founder and director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics and has had visiting appointments at Oxford and Cambridge universities in England.

State Advocacy Essential for NAIOP Chapters in 2022

 

originally published by TOBY BURKE for NAIOP National with permission to repost. 

Wooden State Pic

As the new year begins, lawmakers will begin returning to their chambers to discuss and debate numerous pieces of legislation. Congress is currently focused on President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better initiative and voting rights legislation, but conventional wisdom suggests that passage of meaningful, nonpartisan legislation will remain a challenge during an election year.

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News from Around the Region

 

originally published by REBIC for Two for Tuesday with permission to repost.

Davidson

Bridge

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Charlotte Policy Map & UDO

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to reshare.

UDO picture

During last night’s Charlotte City Council Business Meeting (start at 7 minute and 45-second mark), Alysia Osborne, Project Director, gave a presentation on the 2040 Policy Map. The second draft of the map will be released on January 18th. The other details on the new schedule may be found here.

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BREAKING: State Court Upholds New Districts

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to reshare.

Vote

A North Carolina Superior Court has upheld the new districts proposed by the legislature. The case will likely move on to the NC Supreme Court. Candidate filing will resume on February 24, 2022, at 8AM, and end at 12 noon on March 4, 2022.

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Apply to Serve on an Advisory Board

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost through NAIOP Charlotte

Get Involved

This is your chance to serve your community and represent the industry - apply today for an appointment to a Mecklenburg County Advisory Board, Committee, & Commission!

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REBIC City of Charlotte Update

 

originally published by REBIC with permission to repost in NAIOP Charlotte

Two for Tuesday - REBIC

Alyson Craig has been named Interim Planning Director for the City of Charlotte and will officially begin her new role on February 1st. Likewise, the comment period deadline for the first draft of Charlotte’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) has been extended from January 14th into late February or late March. A final determination on that will likely be made during next Monday’s council meeting. The Transportation, Planning, & Environment Committee will receive a briefing at its regularly scheduled meeting earlier that day. As a result, some of the community outreach meetings have been rescheduled for later in the month. 

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