SB 768 Wipes Out Cash Proffer System
While the rest of the state is waiting in line to vote for President, the Virginia Senate is in session all day.
Right now, I'm sitting at my desk in the back row of the Capitol. We are in recess til 3:45 pm and then will take up bills the rest of the day, including the "Payday Lending" bill which has transfixed the Assembly.
A few minutes ago, we voted on SB 768 sponsored by John Wakins (R-Powhatan) which wipes out the current system of "cash proffers" used by local governments in northern Virginia and replaces it with system-wide impact fees which are capped.
While offering cost certainty to home builders, the bill takes away the ability of local governments like Fairfax and Loudoun to assess developers the true cost of new projects. From my conversation with Fairfax county and city officials, it is unanimously opposed at the local level.
After significant debate (and several unsuccessful amendments), the bill passed the Senate on a 21-19 vote. I voted "no." It will now go to the House and I'm trusting that it will die there or be vetoed by the Governor.
It is true that there is a downturn in the housing market. It is also true that we have an ongoing need for affordable housing and impact fees raise cost.
However, these costs are best balanced by those who are "right on the scene", i.e. our local officials. Not by the General Assembly.
OK, now back to the action ...
Chap; I have both discussed this with you at your Vienna Town Hall and in an e-mail and I appreciate your vote on this issue. It seems to many of us that if the present system is flawed, a bit more study and discussion might be better than the Watkins bill as presently configured.
Chap - We just wrote you an email and greatly appreciate your "no" vote on this. This bill does increase costs; but in doing so, it ensures that localities can have a financial impact (financial is the only language that builders speak) that helps to mitigate the problems caused by the rampant rezoning and building taking place. If the current legislation causes costs to increase for the benefit of the community - we're all for it. To have a better life here, we believe that rezoning and expanding sprawl need to be greatly curtailed and doing so will increase costs for the betterment of those who live here. As you say, these proffer decisions are best left to local officials.