Desert Region Information

Shea Homes executive forecasts return to profitability

The Press-Enterprise
Aug. 24

Bob Yoder likes to admire the homes and communities he has helped to build over his long career.

The 54-year-old president of the Southern California Division of Shea Homes, one of the nation's largest privately owned home builders, said such tangible rewards sustain his enthusiasm for an industry that has brought him plenty of challenges in recent years.

He has been forced to cut staff, record losses and readjust his business plans in response to the crash of what was once a high-flying housing market.
Shea Homes combined three Southern California divisions into a single division and in December 2007 Yoder, who had headed the Inland Empire division since 2003, took the helm of an entity that oversees Shea's operations in Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The cost-saving consolidations also involved layoffs that ultimately reduced Shea's work force in the five counties from about 400 to 80 employees.

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Historic Vote Approves Use of PEX Plastic Pipe

Aug. 16

Secretary Bill Leonard, who also serves as BSC chairman, indicated his support for this historic vote that appears to bring to an end a legal and administrative battle that started in 1982.

Report: I.E. not 'at risk' of double-dip

Aug. 18

The Inland Empire's economic woes are nothing new. So a report out this week was a break from dreary headlines.

Across the country, 22 metro areas are on a list of places, released Tuesday by Moody's Economy.com, considered "at risk" of sliding back into recession - double-dipping, as economists say.

 But after months of being in the top national rankings in foreclosures and with unemployment hovering between 14 and 15 percent, the I.E. is not among areas at imminent risk of a double-dip, according to the report, which defines the Inland Empire as the San Bernardino-Ontario-Riverside area.

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Riverside County to extend DIF reductions

Aug. 10

Riverside County Board of Supervisors recently voted to extend the 50 percent DIF reduction, to be in place from Sep. 9, 2010 through Sep. 9, 2011.The reductions will impact new residential, commercial and industrial development.

Aug. 5

On the evening of August 4 the City of Imperial adopted a new Development Impact Fee (DIF) Study on a vote of 4 – 0.   When implemented, the current fee will be raised by $771.79 per single family dwelling unit (SFDU).   The BIA worked successfully with the City Staff and was able to convince the Council that in these economic times it is inappropriate to raise fees on the one industry that is creating jobs in their community.   On a second motion the Council voted 4 – 0 to keep the current DIF at the 2002 level of $2,123.80 per SFDU, until June 30, 2011.   At that time the BIA and the City Staff will confer over the current state of the industry and determine if implementing the new DIF of $2,895.59 per SFDU can be absorbed. 

If you have questions regarding the DIF, please do not hesitate contact Bill Blankenship, Deputy Director.

Riverside County Building and Safety Department on code changes

Aug. 9

The Riverside County Building and Safety Department recently issued a notice  regarding upcoming code changes.  Earlier this year, the California Building and Standards Commission adopted and approved the 2010 California Building Codes and Standards which includes a number of changes effecting electrical, mechanical, plumbing and green building standards among others. The code changes become effective January 1, 2011. 

Local Governments Renew Measures Aimed at Municipal and Economic Recovery

PublicCEO.com

July 21

Contending with a still-sluggish economy, local governments in Western Riverside County have renewed measures to energize the construction industry though the reduction of development impact fees.

By knocking down the financial barriers to growth, they are enticing builders to return to their cities.

"It has had a stimulative effect, without a doubt," said Scott Mann, councilman of Menifee, which has reduced its development impact fees by 65 percent.

In May, the cities of Menifee and Perris extended their permit fee reductions for another year, starting July 1, after seeing positive results since first lowering the costs in 2009.

read more -  includig a quote from Mark Knorringa

Cutting builders' fees was the right call

By City of Banning Mayor, BOB BOTTS

July 13

Economic recovery in Riverside and San Bernardino counties is largely determined by home sales and new home construction.

The latest figures from California's Employment Development Department reveal that unemployment rates in Riverside County have declined from 14.2 percent to 13.9 percent. As job opportunities increase, the need for commercial and residential development is evident.

As mayor of Banning, I have a responsibility to look beyond "business as usual" public policy and identify opportunities to make a real difference in our community. Accordingly, reducing development impact fees is a top priority, as it stimulates our local economy.

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La Quinta Rejects DIF Increase

July 8

We are pleased to report some news from our Desert Region. Yesterday afternoon the La Quinta City Council voted 5-0 to NOT impose a $3,238 (SFD) DIF increase. The increase had been approved back in October 2008 but not implemented. La Quinta will continue collecting its residential DIF at the current rate until January 1, 2011. The Council clearly felt that a fee increase in the current economic environment was not appropriate.

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City of Perris Extends Fee Reductions

On June 29 the Perris City Council voted 5 – 0 to extend for another year the 50% Development Impact Fee Reduction.   The reduction will impact new residential, commercial and industrial development and stay in place for fiscal year 2010/2011.