At last week's joint meeting of MTC's Planning and ABAG's Administrative Committees, an expert panel of builders and developers presented their perspectives on the challenges facing the industry in getting sufficient housing approved and built in the Bay Area, and offered constructive suggestions to address the challenges. Having a presentation of this nature take place--with experienced private sector building representatives speaking directly to key regional agency leaders--has been a top priority for BIA Bay Area to insure that the industry has the opportunity to educate elected officials about real world development issues including market demand, different product types, construction costs, fees and exactions, locational differences throughout the region, planning and entitlement challenges, business cycles, and how builders/developers approach prospective deals. The panelists (from TMG Partners, Summerhill Housing Group, and Integral Communities) and their presentations were very well received by the agency officials, with several agency leaders commenting on the importance of widespread dissemination of the presentation and suggesting that it "go on the road" throughout the Bay Area.
Joint committee staff report
Panel presentation
