Did you feel it Friday morning? Fall has finally come, and not a minute too soon. With the Gators in a bye week, it seems that every possible outdoor activity that one could possibly imagine was scheduled for this weekend. For us, of course, the big one was the Fall Parade of Homes™ in Alachua and Columbia counties and the Fall Showcase™ in Marion County.
In Marion County, it was the last of two consecutive weekends. In Columbia County, it was a one-weekend affair. In Alachua County, it was the first of two weekends. I don't have a lot to compare the Columbia County Parade to as it was my first time covering it, so I have to rely on the opinions of those I spoke with. While it seemed to have started out slowly, traffic was steady, and seemed to be as well if not better than expected. In Alachua County, it was at times as strong as the Spring Parade. I am excited to see that the activity has picked up. Hopefully, this is an indication of positive things to come.
In contrast to the upbeat feelings at the parades and showcase, Alachua County commissioners last week did the expected - reversing themselves on impact fees. Defying the trend around the state, where elected officials are recognizing that now is the time to take action to spark the economy; county commissioners saw another opportunity to impose a fee in order to fill its coffers. It's important, when we go to the polls, that all of us remember these actions that seem to come with no real plan for leadership. Lee Pinkoson brought up yet again the impact that these new fees will truly have, impacting lower income families as much if not more than anyone. It seems however that Commissioners Chestnut and Delaney, forgetting who they asked to help them get elected, are oblivious to this. They fail to see how $1,000-$2,000 in increased fees (amortized to almost $5,000 over a 30-year mortgage) could stop someone from buying or building their first home. They fail to see how someone considering starting a business will now look outside of the unincorporated Alachua County, and bring their new business to other markets. The only way we can make them see (or better yet, take away their vote) is to elect commissioners who truly care about what is best for our community as opposed to putting band-aids on the problems they helped create. We can make that change, but only if we rally together come election-time. |
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www.BuildingEdgeMagazine.com
Our October issue is online, and started arriving late last week. It features Isaac Construction in Lake City. The National Feature will be on Weathering the Elements: HVAC, insulation, house wrap, anti-mold products, siding and brick, roofing, pest control . Our Edge Spotlight this month is on Griffis Tile & Flooring.
We are in production on the November issue, which will feature Demetri Homes of Ocala. The National Feature will be on Green Building: engineered wood/stone, heating/cooling alternatives, sustainable building materials, increasing IAQ (indoor air quality), plastic piping.
We will close out the year in December with GC Construction of Gainesville. The National Feature will be on Construction Technology. This is also going to be the Parade Wrap-Up issue, covering Alachua, Marion and Columbia counties. For more information, please contact us at (352) 372-3958 in Gainesville, or (352) 368-1707 in Ocala.
Our Summer 2007 issue of Commercial Building Edge is now available. The cover feature is on Gray Construction Services. The National Feature is on Green Building.
Our Fall 2007 Commercial issue is in production. The cover story is a feature on Ocala's Ausley Construction . The Winter issue will feature Trunnell Construction on the cover.
HOME™: Living in the Heart of Florida Resource Guide
The feedback on our newest magazine, Home™: Living in the Heart of Florida has been phenomenal. People are already talking to us about our next issue, which will be out in January. A brand new redesign of our website, www.LivingInTheHeartOfFlorida.com will be launched within the next few days. I am pleased to note that we have formed some terrific partnerships with local establishments to insure success through the delivery of the publication. As of Friday, we have over 250 distribution points. |
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Alachua County Commission OKs Impact Fee Increase
Road impact fee increases will be implemented in March and phased in over three years under action taken by the Alachua County Commission on Tuesday night that presents a change in course from a previous vote. Tuesday's move severed the increase from a possible sales tax referendum and allows the county to begin collecting fees sooner than a process approved in August. An ordinance on the changes must be written and approved by the commission.
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Study Says Impact Fee Increases Not Needed
Growth in Lake County not only pays for itself but adds to the county budget, a new study by an Orlando-based consultant shows. The study was done by Fishkind and Associates Inc. for Citizens for Better Government LLC. This latest study tries to rebut a report by Redmond, Wash.-based Henderson Young and Co., impact fee consultants for the Lake County School Board. That report recommends increasing school impact fees by more than 100 percent on homes.
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Show and Tell
The fall Parade of Homes began Saturday with the largest display of houses to date - 53 - a reflection of the state of the housing market, experts say. "Last year, homes would have been selling at a more rapid pace," said Steve Elwood, senior vice president for Coldwell Banker. The homes on the Parade, which is sponsored by the Builders Association of North Central Florida, range in price from $149,000 to more than $1 million. Thirty-one subdivisions in west Alachua County are represented in the fall Parade.
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Columbia County Parade of Homes Diverse in Offerings
People dreaming of owning a new home tomorrow can check out what area builders are offering today. The Fall Parade of Homes began Saturday with 18 homes open for viewing. The event concluded Sunday. The showcase is sponsored by the Columbia County Builders Association.
Homes from the lower $100,000 range to more oppulent designs that fetch a price tag up to $500,000 or more were open across Lake City and Columbia County.
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Activists Discuss War Over the Ocklawaha River
More than 200 people gathered at the County Commission auditorium Sunday to protest the possibility that 108 million gallons of water per day may be pumped out of the Ocklawaha River to serve Orlando-area cities. The crowd gathered at McPherson Government Complex to hear eight speakers, including state Rep. Kurt Kelly, R-Ocala, and former state Sen. Nancy Argenziano, who is now on the Florida Public Service Commission.
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Three Energy Projects Get OK from City of Gainesville
Gainesville Regional Utilities will move forward with proposals to study nuclear power, seek options for using wood and municipal waste as power sources and begin a new solar project to meet the area's future energy needs. Gainesville city commissioners unanimously approved all three proposals Monday, over the objections of a group of environmental advocates who argued in favor of increased conservation and against the specifics of each of the plans.
Progress Energy CEO McGehee Dies
Robert B. McGehee, the chairman and chief executive officer of Progress Energy who had suffered an apparent stroke Sunday while on business in London, died Tuesday morning about 6 a.m. Florida time, the company said. McGehee had undergone surgery in London's Charing Cross Hospital and remained Monday in intensive care. He was 64.
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Marion County May Regulate Fertilizer Use
Marion County's proposed landscaping and irrigation ordinance has gained attention for new rules that limit the days and hours during which residents can water lawns. The county now may apply some new regulations dealing with fertilizer application. The proposed ordinance, scheduled for the first of two required county commission votes on Nov. 6, would establish limits for fertilizer application and prohibit use altogether near bodies of water.
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Suwannee Moves to Regulate River
Facing the looming threats of state budget cuts and a southern Florida water grab, the Suwannee River Water Management District moved forward on setting minimum flows and levels for the upper Santa Fe River. The district's governing board voted Tuesday to publish the minimum-flow rules in the Florida code. After a public comment period, the rules are expected to take effect in late 2007 or early 2008.
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Lake County Water Alliance has Eyes on Withlacoochee
Lake County and its cities are looking at the possibility of taking water from Lake Rousseau and the Withlacoochee River in Marion County to meet its future water needs. The Lake County Water Alliance is required by the St. Johns River Water Management District to submit a future water needs plan. But the plan is meeting with resistance from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Authority, legislators and citizen groups, who are concerned about interdistrict water transfers.
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Marion County OKs Plan Changes to Add About 2,500 Homes
A lot of the neighbors were none too pleased as the Marion County Commission approved sizable residential developments southwest of Belleview along County Road 484 and north of Ocala, near U.S. 27. During a marathon land-use change meeting that stretched on for more than 10 hours, commissioners approved 12 of the 13 applications for residential development that came before them, although few passed in unanimous votes. Combined, the approvals could mean about 2,500 residences.
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Marion County Ban on Bigger Landfill is Lifted
The possible expansion of the county's Baseline Landfill plowed ahead Thursday night. The county commission essentially voted to allow themselves the ability to vote on the expansion proposal at some future, yet-to-be-scheduled public hearing. In a 4-1 vote, commissioners removed the ban a prior County Commission put in the Comprehensive Plan prohibiting the expansion or development of new landfills after Jan. 1, 2002, except those for construction debris.
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BANCF Calendar of Events
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New Cuts May Lie Ahead, Lawmakers Warn
Florida lawmakers approved $1.1 billion worth of budget cuts Friday, trims that take aim at schools, colleges and healthcare providers across the state. And they warned that more cuts could be coming in the next few months if Florida's economy doesn't turn around.
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Legislature Begins New Effort to Cut Property Taxes
Legislature on Friday began a new effort to give Floridians a property tax cut, but with a warning from the House Speaker that the proposal on the table may disappoint many taxpayers as not good enough. Lawmakers are proposing to ask voters in January to change the way property taxes are calculated in a bid to lower them. If voters were to go along, the amount of savings the plan would deliver varies widely depending on people's circumstances. For some it would be a couple hundred dollars, while others could see a few thousand dollars savings a year.
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Robert Parrish Elected FHBA President
Tallahassee developer Robert Parrish has been elected president of the Florida Home Builders Association. Parrish believes that the keys to a successful year are to be proactive and to be positive when dealing with the problems which FHBA members face. Parrish served as president of the Tallahassee Builders Association, president of Habitat for Humanity and served on the Board of Directors of Capital Regional Medical Center and Superior Bank.
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Florida's CFO: Reform the CAT Fund
Alex Sink has been worried about Florida's exposure to future hurricanes since lawmakers expanded the state's catastrophe fund in January. On Tuesday, the state's chief financial officer offered up a plan to give the governor and the Florida Cabinet more control over the amount of liability that the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund could take on in coming years. Sink will present her plan to the Cabinet next Tuesday.
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Residents Get Energy Break
South Apopka residents may catch a break on their energy bills thanks to Progress Energy's Neighborhood Energy Saver program. Free to Progress Energy customers, it could save each of them up to $150 year in energy costs, Progress spokesman C.J. Drake said. About 500 residents of South Apopka will take part in the program, where workers will install energy-saving equipment in their homes and educate them on how to reduce energy usage.
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Cities are Defying Tax-Cut Mandate
Sylvia Simmons does not hesitate when asked if she was nervous after casting a vote Sept. 24 as a member of the Atlantic Beach City Commission that effectively raised property taxes on the town's 14,000 residents. Across Florida, 156 cities or towns - 41 percent of 382 reporting municipalities, according to state figures - have opted to defy the Legislature's June mandate to lower property taxes.
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Residential Impact Fee Reduction ApprovedThe cost of new residential construction in Charlotte County will likely see a temporary discount after the county commission voted to reduce impact fees at Tuesday's meeting. The commission's second vote on the matter proved successful, as just two weeks ago, the commission narrowly defeated the proposal, which was created with hopes of stimulating the local building economy. The decision will be finalized after a public hearing on Oct. 23.
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Commission Considers Break For Developers
Commissioners are considering a new incentive program for residential homebuilders to help energize a stagnant housing market. Their plan would use reserves from the city's general fund to pay for increases in transportation impact fees so developers do not have to. Impact fees vary depending on the size and type of buildings. The impact fee for a medium-size home of 1,500 to 2,500 square feet - the most common house size in the city, according to the planning department - was $2,627 before the increase went into effect Oct. 1.
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Stay in Comfort, Still be Green
Guests at the Island Cottage Villa Inn are pampered with fluffy canopy beds, fireplaces and Jacuzzi bubble baths. But the newly designated Green Lodge is built for the planet's comfort, too. To soften the hotel's environmental impact, solar panels heat the swimming pool. Native shrubbery requires little watering.
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NAHB Applauds New Program to Help Distressed Borrowers
The National Association of Home Builders applauded a new program called "HOPE NOW" announced by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson that will help American families avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes. The program will provide at-risk borrowers the information and resources available in the marketplace that will allow them to keep their home by restructuring the terms of their mortgage or pursuing other options available to them.
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NAHB Launches Redesigned HousingEconomics.com Web Site
An online economics information resource published by the National Association of Home Builders, http://www.HousingEconomics.com, recently unveiled its new, more user-friendly interface with upgraded features. The newly redesigned Web site provides subscribers with the latest housing forecasts, market trends, in-depth economic analysis and archival data relating to the housing industry.
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Mortgage Industry Coalition Forms to Help Prevent Defaults
The Bush administration announced a new mortgage industry coalition aimed at helping homeowners avoid being trapped in a rising tide of foreclosures. The initiative would help coordinate efforts by financial companies to help an estimated 2 million homeowners whose introductory mortgages with low rates are now resetting at much higher rates, greatly increasing the risk they will default on the loans.
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30-Year-Loan Rates Turn Downward
Rates on 30-year mortgages fell this week after two consecutive increases, providing a break for potential home buyers and the beleaguered housing industry. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages averaged 6.37 percent this week, down from 6.42 percent last week. After hitting a high for this year of 6.73 percent in mid-July, rates have been trending lower as the worst housing slump in 16 years has contributed to slower economic growth and fewer worries about inflation.
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Green Energy Creates Job Boom
Investing in renewable energy won't just provide a clean source of power, but it will also create an explosion of new jobs. The Apollo Institute, a group that wants the government to embark on a renewable energy project similar to the Apollo space program that put a man on the moon, expects to see 3 million new green jobs over the next ten years. The new jobs created in the renewable energy industry offset jobs lost elsewhere, like in oil and gas.
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Housing Assist Offered by Bush
The Bush administration announced a new mortgage industry coalition Wednesday aimed at helping homeowners avoid being trapped in a rising tide of foreclosures. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the initiative would boost financial companies' efforts to help an estimated 2-million homeowners whose introductory mortgages with low rates are resetting at much higher rates, just as the housing industry suffers through its steepest downturn in 16 years.
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Alachua County Hits Office Space Shortage
Luring high-tech companies to Alachua County or encouraging local startups to stay can mean selling them on an array of benefits the area has to offer, such as proximity to the University of Florida and studies ranking Gainesville as one of the most livable places in the country. But all the amenities in the world can't persuade a company to come - bringing the jobs and economic development - if there isn't enough office or lab space to house them.
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Road Beautification Finished Early
A pilot program used to beautify a portion of the NE 39th Avenue median was so efficient that the work was completed a month early. Florida Department of Transportation officials are considering making the pilot program a statewide, ongoing program. The beautification work was done on a 2.5 mile long median of NE 39th Avenue, also known as Alachua County Road 222.
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Chamber of Commerce Salutes Local Businesses
The newly anointed stars of the business community got the red carpet treatment Wednesday night by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce. Growth, prosperity and environmental preservation were key themes as a sold-out crowd of about 270 people saluted the award winners.
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Green Schools Grow Across U.S.
The United States Green Building Council has established a rating system for buildings called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED. In 2001, there were four schools asking for LEED certification. Now there are 400. Thus far, 85 schools have been recognized for meeting the requirements. These requirements include protecting natural areas and limiting the amount of chemicals in building materials. They also include better light and improved indoor air quality.
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Gainesville Kohl's Looking Likely
Evidence is mounting that the proposed redevelopment of the Winn-Dixie shopping center on Archer Road will bring a Kohl's department store to Gainesville. Both plans and artist's renderings filed with the city's planning department bear the national chain's logo, and planners say they have spoken to representatives of the company, though company officials have declined to comment on the project.
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Room to Grow In
The site for a third national hotel brand is under construction at the Interstate 75 and County Road 484 interchange near Marion Oaks while plans continue to bring the first national hotel chain to Belleview. Fabian Dinkins Construction, Inc. of Ocala is the contractor on both projects. Construction began several weeks ago on the Hampton Inn, scheduled for CR 484 on an out-parcel of the Marion Crossing Shopping Center which fronts I-75. The four-story hotel, with 109 rooms, is expected to open next fall.
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School Officials Struggle with Overcrowding
Marion County Public Schools will meet with county officials on Wednesday to begin a long process to try to manage the effects of growth on the School District's overcrowding. In 2005, state legislators passed a law that forces all government agencies to work together to plan for the rapid growth that often cause stresses to infrastructure, such as water and sewage lines, as well as school overcrowding.
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NLRB Affirms Decision Protecting Right of Employers to Sue Unions
In a landmark ruling for merit shop contractors and employers nationwide, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Sept. 29 upheld a U.S. Supreme Court decision protecting the First Amendment right of employers to seek protection from union abuses in courts. In the case, the NLRB established a new test for employer litigation under the First Amendment, which says that any lawsuit is protected from being an unfair labor practice so long as the suit is not "objectively baseless." No longer will employer motives be questioned if their litigation is unsuccessful, so long as their suits are reasonably based.
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Tri-County Hospital to Fill Gap
Residents in Levy, Gilchrist and Dixie counties are now on the road to having a new 60-bed, acute-care hospital in their community. Thursday night, some 80 residents got a glimpse of how the Tri-CountyHospital, to be built by Ameris Health Systems, will transform health care in the area. The evening forum was organized by the WellFlorida Council. The multi-county organization, based in Gainesville, set up a survey in late August and September, asking residents to rank their most pressing health needs.
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Commercial Building Construction Still Thriving
The ongoing focus on the nation's failing real estate and home-building market has not affected commercial construction. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in heavy construction trades have actually increased during the past year. Although overall construction employment nationally dropped by 14,000 jobs in September and is 1.5 percent lower than levels a year ago, jobs in nonresidential building, specialty trades and heavy and civil engineering have risen by 42,000 -- 1 percent -- in that time.
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AGC of Greater Florida Calendar of Events
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Residential October 2007
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