“SB768: Conditional zoning; replaces cash proffer system with system of impact fees.”

I just don’t like it. When the Republican Chair of Albemarle County’s Board of Supervisors, who has a history of siding with real estate interests,  says that “that he had already been making personal calls in opposition to the bill,” something is amiss. Realtors were able to get increased Grantor’s Tax (which would have tripled the current tax) removed from the current iteration, but the bill still is flawed.

Either we want the state to control localities’ day-to-day operations or we don’t. The proffer system is flawed; in some localities proffers are in excess of $50k per unit – arguably too high but some, too low by others.

This bill will impact everybody in the state – homeowners, landowners, renters – by forcing (from what I have read) localities to seek other sources of revenue – read: property taxes – to make up the difference. This is exactly the type of bill that Realtors need to come out against, in my opinion, but politics is like the show Survivor; sometimes distasteful compromises are met with the expectation that the next round will require another allegiance.

We need growth for vitality – social and economic. This bill would, from the tea leaves I have strewn across my desk – help to shut down said growth.

I hate politics. Why can’t we all just get along?

Educate yourself on this bill at Richmond Sunlight. The bill has 10,230 words and was written at a grade level for those who graduated 18th and 19th grades (per Flesch-Kincaid).

Coincidentally, an Adequate Public Facilities bill shows up on the page as a “related bill.” No kidding.

On another note, I’d like to see the Virginia Association of Realtors PAC and lobbyists step into the blogosphere – most everyone else has. If you’re not adding to the direction of the conversation, the direction is being set without you.