Page 8 - GSABA Builder Brief May 2020 Issue

KRISTI SUTTERFIELD Executive Vice President
Your Government Affairs Team is Plugged In
Your Government Affairs Team continues to monitor the cities and counties you build and work in, as well as what is transpiring on the State and National levels.
We are hosting calls with several key partners to help keep our members informed. Michael Shannon, the director of the Development Services Department (DSD) for the City of San Antonio (COSA), shared with us on April 22nd that DSD is still performing 800 to 900 inspections each day. However, this is down from the 1,000 daily inspections in the first quarter. Also, the City of San Antonio’s DSD performance continues to operate at a superior level during this pandemic.
Shannon said that DSD is performing a few hundred virtual residential inspections a week with a goal to complete 20 percent of all inspections virtually in the future. He also stated that they see value in continuing the virtual inspections, which provide increased efficiencies. While the DSD lobby is closed, there is a tent in the parking lot for those who want to submit permits and inspections in person. Approximately 80 percent of all permit and inspection applications are filed electronically. We are grateful for our strong working relationship with the City of San Antonio DSD and the opportunity to have a seat at the table.
The adoption of the Unified Development Code (UDC), the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) that are typically adopted by COSA in October or November will be postponed until 2021. Shannon also shared that the latest emergency order requiring face covering is not required for everyone. Construction workers must observe social distancing guidelines, but there are exceptions to the men and women working on your home sites. Any GSABA member who has detailed questions can call DSD at (210) 207-1111.
We met with the City of Cibolo in March to provide input to their UDC amendments. The most significant change that the City is moving towards is removing SF-5 and SF-6 zoning. The SF-7 zoning category will remain with a minimum of 70’ front lots. The City has also introduced a CD-1 zoning "Conservation District" which allows for lots to be less than 70’ if you place 50 percent of the development into a conservation district. We continue to monitor this daily.
There have been several high impact revisions to the 2021 Residential Energy Code that could increase the cost of a new home by $7,000+-. The significant changes include one Electric Vehicle Ready Space; a dedicated electrical receptacle that will be required with gas appliances; water heating changes along with numerous insulation changes.
As we look ahead to the 87th Legislative Session that will kick off in January of 2021, several important issues are facing our industry. One of the complaints that we hear from our members is that some cities (and counties) do not issue permits or perform inspections in a timely manner. The Texas Association of Builders (TAB) has been involved with GSABA and advised us there is nothing in the Local Government Code to prohibit the use of third-party inspectors. The IRC doesn’t require that a government entity be the only entity making code inspections.
TAB is also looking at addressing ‘wet signatures’ needed that are typically required by banks and lenders on the deeds. This has been an issue over the past few weeks for several of our builders who had new home closings.
In light of the millions of Americans now out of work, we need to accelerate the nation’s ability to build homes and, specifically, affordable homes. Our industry has weathered many crises before. We are confident that drawing on the experience and dedication of our leadership and membership, we will emerge even stronger to meet the needs of American families and our community.
Warm regards,
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MAY 2020 | GREATER SAN ANTONIO BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
FROM THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT