TOP STORIES
State regulators float proposal for 50-foot buffer along streams, rivers
The state Department of Environmental Protection is planning to propose a new water quality regulation that would require a 50-foot, construction-free buffer in every proposed development along a Pennsylvania creek, stream or river. Speaking at an Aug. 7 meeting in Bucks County, Kathleen McGinty, DEP secretary, said the proposed regulation is necessary to "slow runoff into rivers and streams, improve water quality and help to lessen the risk of severe flooding." Currently, there is no statewide buffer requirement for commercial or residential construction, but some municipalities have implemented such restrictions. PBA is currently looking for members to serve on a task force addressing these and other proposed changes to the department's erosion and sediment control program, which the department intends to expand to include stormwater control. For more information, or to volunteer for the task force, please contact Grant Gulibon at ext. 3013 or ggulibon@PaBuilders.org.

Local builders troubled by North Cornwall moratorium
Builders and developers are outraged by a building-permit freeze planned by the North Cornwall Township (Lebanon County) supervisors. The supervisors plan to withhold building permits until as late as October, when a new zoning and land use ordinance can be passed. The new ordinance is the latest in the township's struggles with the proposed construction of a Wal-Mart - a dispute now in its third year. Lou Biacchi, PBA director of government affairs, said 10 years of court decisions consistently demonstrate that such a moratorium has no legal merit. In response to the issue, PBA has outlined the legal precedents and the association's objections in a letter sent to the township's legal counsel.

PBA testifies in opposition to impact fees
Mark Mitman represented PBA during an Aug. 2 hearing during which the House local government committee mulled educational impact fees. House Bill 72, which proposes impact fees, allows for fees as high as $7,500 with reductions for Energy Star homes, homes with stone or bricks on the side facing the street and homes with "porous" driveways and sidewalks. Click here to download a copy of the bill. Proponents of impact fees discussed the increased costs of school districts, especially in the Poconos, one of the few areas in Pennsylvania experiencing population growth. Most of Pennsylvania is experiencing growth at abysmal levels -- about half the national rate. Mitman took issue with those supporting impact fees as a way of promoting fairness. PBA members oppose impact fees as they would increase the cost of housing by burdening a select group of taxpayers. NAHB recently issued new findings supporting builders' position impact fees.

Local government representatives push for bill allowing a moratorium while changing rules for development
Mark Mitman, representing PBA, testified Aug. 1 in opposition to HB 904, which would allow local governments to order a building moratorium for up to a year while creating a new long-range plan, development ordinance or zoning ordinance. The bill would allow municipalities a method of extending the moratorium in 180-day increments. Under the bill, developers would be able to apply for a waiver, which the municipal officials could consider at a public hearing. PBA members have questioned the need for a moratorium that could be used to block growth in municipalities where officials failed to use tools available for several years under the Municipalities Planning Code. Please contact your PBA field service director for more information.

INDUSTRY NEWS
Baby boomers drive market for sleeping downstairs
Earlier this year, the news media picked up on the trend of buyers' requests for dual master bedroom suites. More recently, some media outlets have been discussing homebuyer requests for first-floor bedrooms, a preference of some aging baby boomers. Click here to read a recent story.

Is a hybrid truck in your future?
Kenworth has begun producing a hybrid medium duty truck that promises fuel savings for businesses. Its first truck went to a Seattle building supplier, Dunn Lumber. Kenworth estimates fuel savings of as much as 30 percent at speeds under 30 mph, making it ideal for companies making local deliveries. With a hauling capacity of 16,000 pounds, the electric/diesel hybrid may prove ideal for deliveries to some building sites. Click here for more information.

PENNSYLVANIA UPDATE
DEP issues draft wastewater treatment document
The state Department of Environmental Protection recently published a draft revision to its technical guidance document on the process "for evaluating and permitting wastewater discharges to intermittent and ephemeral streams, drainage channels and swales, and storm sewers." This may be of interest to members who operate package sewage treatment plants. DEP has invited interested parties to submit written comments on the document through Aug. 27. For more information, please contact Grant Gulibon at ext. 3013 or at ggulibon@PaBuilders.org.

Lancaster BIA earns support from NAHB endowment
The Spanish American Civic Association's YouthBuild program, sponsored by the Lancaster BIA, recently garnered $4,300 in support from the National Housing Endowment, earning matching funds. YouthBuild provides participants ages 18 to 24 a year-long opportunity for training in construction. Lancaster BIA joined a local association from New York state as the only recipients in the eastern U.S. For more information about grant opportunities, visit www.nationalhousingendowment.org.

Work force housing crisis grows in Pennsylvania
PBA members have long bemoaned the lack of affordable housing for vital members of Pennsylvania's work force, including child care teachers, firefighters, police officers, dental assistants and retail managers. At its recent board of directors meeting, PBA named affordable housing one of the association's legislative priorities. In addition, the association lobbies against increases to development costs in many forms. PBA also educates leaders about property values inflated by government investments in "open space" and suggests higher-density alternatives that help keep housing more affordable.  This recent article from The Philadelphia Inquirer bolsters the association's position.

Want to avoid telemarketers?
Pennsylvania's "Do-not-call" list is set to expire, allowing telemarketers to reach out to consumers who previously requested to be excluded from telemarketing lists. You must renew your registration before Sept. 15. Click here for the state attorney general's new web page for telemarketing exclusions.

FROM PBA
Member Rebate program second-quarter deadline extended to Aug. 15
To accommodate the many members who are on summer vacation, or those that just need additional time to complete their claim forms during the busy summer months, PBA has extended the second-quarter deadline for rebate claim forms to Wednesday, Aug. 15. Also, please keep in mind manufacturers, as a one-time-only promotion, are allowing members who have yet to register for the program can do so now and receive claims retroactive to the beginning of 2007, not just for the second quarter! For more information, please contact your PBA field service director or visit http://MemberRebateProgram.PaBuilders.org.

Miorin resigns from CFO position
David Martin announced this week that Pat Miorin, chief financial officer and assistant executive vice president of PBA, has resigned. Miorin spent six years with PBA as head of the accounting division. He has accepted a position in the private sector. PBA has begun a search for his replacement.

2007 cleanup efforts set new standard in Pennsylvania
Members of the PBA joined a legion of nearly 140,000 volunteers at many of the 5,000 separate events during the three-month Great Pennsylvania Cleanup. PBA sponsored the 2007 Cleanup that was responsible for the removal of 7.4 million pounds of trash and the planting of about 13,000 trees across all of the state's 67 counties.

PBA web site hosts tax information for business owners
Click here to visit the new tax center on the PBA web site. Featuring expert advice from the Internal Revenue Service, this one-stop shop for new and existing business owners includes questions and forms.