2019 CATT Local Government Affairs Committee (LGAC) Meeting Dates and Speakers
LGAC meetings are usually held the third Monday of the month at the CATT office and start at 4:00 PM. Here are the dates of future LGAC meetings:
| January 14 | TRPA Presentation @ Truckee Airport – see article for more details |
| February 11 | Placer County CBO is guest speaker |
| March 18 | Truckee CBO is guest speaker |
| April 15 | Guest speaker TBD |
| May 20 | Placer County CBO is guest speaker |
| June 17 | Truckee CBO is guest speaker |
| July 15 | Guest speaker TBD |
| August 19 | Placer County CBO is guest speaker |
| September 16 | Truckee CBO is guest speaker |
| October 21 | Guest speaker TBD |
| November 18 | Placer County CBO is guest speaker |
| December 16 | Truckee CBO is guest speaker |
Any CATT member is welcome to attend LGAC meetings. Please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com for more information about LGAC activities or issues of concern to CATT.
NORTH TAHOE FIRE AND CATT TO HOST BUILDING INDUSTRY WORKSHOP
The North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD) and the Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe (CATT) will co-host a public workshop in January designed to help building industry professionals understand proposed changes affecting the 2019 building season. Download the workshop flyer here.
Builders, planners, designers, consultants, real estate agents, and others involved in land use and construction should attend this public workshop co-hosted by NTFPD and CATT on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 4 p.m. The workshop will be held at NTFPD Station 51, 222 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City. Light refreshments will be served.
Workshop topics include:
- Mitigation Fee Changes for North Tahoe Fire and Alpine Meadows
- Plan Review Process Changes (Third Party Plan Review, Concurrent Review with Placer County)
- Cost Recovery Fees
- State Fire Code Requirements for Hydrants
- NTFPD’s Fire Flow Initiative (A Public Private Partnership)
- Round Table Discussion
This informational session is intended to help builders, property owners, fee payers, and other stakeholders understand changes proposed for the start of the 2019 building season.
“We really want to reach out to the building community and share these changes before projects are submitted for permits” said North Tahoe Fire Chief Michael Schwartz. “We believe easy access and transparency are hallmarks of good government and will ensure better understanding and compliance.” CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison added, “We are glad to partner with NTFPD on this info-sharing workshop. Builders and others involved in land use and construction appreciate the heads up about potential changes. This is a great way to start 2019.”
For more information, contact NTFPD Fire Marshal Todd Conradson (530.583.6911, conradson@ntfire.net) or CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison (530.550.9999, pat@ca-tt.com).
GET THE LATEST ON TRPA CODE CHANGES @ JANUARY 14, 2019 PRESENTATION
The TRPA Governing Board adopted major changes to TRPA Code on October 24, 2018. The changes took effect on December 24, 2018. The Code changes could affect hundreds if not thousands of parcels at the Lake. Here is a one page flyer with an outline of the changes.
TRPA staff will explain the changes at the January 14, 2019 LGAC meeting. The meeting starts at 4:00 PM. Because this topic could draw a large turnout, CATT has reserved a room at the Truckee Tahoe Airport for this meeting. The Airport is just down the street from the CATT office at 10356 Truckee Airport Road, Truckee. Architects, engineers, builders, real estate agents, developers, lenders, property owners and others involved in land use in the Tahoe Basin should attend this important meeting.
CATT was instrumental in getting changes to the bonus unit program to incentivize housing for the local workforce – the “missing middle” income group that cannot find affordable housing. Why does CATT care about this group? These are the builders, carpenters and other tradesmen and women, suppliers and professionals starting their careers and/or families who want to live where they work. Not only do these households want fulltime residency and ownership opportunities, but they make up a key segment of the construction workforce that drives our economy. Company owners in construction and other area businesses have recognized the need for more workforce housing. Changing the TRPA code may help get more housing units on the ground.
For more information about how these changes were formulated, go to this link:
http://www.trpa.org/about-trpa/how-we-operate/strategic-plan/development-rights/
or contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca -tt.com
CATT TOUR OF FACTORY_OS SET FOR FEBRUARY 1, 2019
Photo courtesy of Factory_OS
A lot of attention has been focused on Factory_OS, a WWII submarine factory now converted to a facility producing multi-family modular housing on Mare Island in Vallejo. The mammoth space contains more than 30 work stations where modular units are assembled and prepared for transport plus storage for rolls and rolls of insulation, stacks of plywood, dozens of doors and cabinets, and all other stuff related to building a residential unit. The Artists Lofts in downtown Truckee will be composed of these units.
Come see the facility and process firsthand! CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison has received permission from Factory_OS for a CATT tour to take place on Friday, February 1, 11:00 am. Contact Pat (530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com) to sign up for this tour.
ALPINE SPRINGS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT BOARD ADOPTS NEW MITIGATION FEE STUDY AND FEE AMOUNTS
On December 14, the Alpine Springs County Water District Board of Directors approved a new fire mitigation fee study and fee amounts. The new study replaces the fee study done in 2013. Three significant changes were made in the new study vs the old study: 1) the annual growth rate assumption for permanent fulltime residents and employees was reduced from 1.5% to 1%; 2) the residential occupancy assumption increased from 0.77 persons per fulltime unit to 0.95 persons per fulltime unit; and the cost to serve per person went down from 2013’s amount of $3,113 per person to $2,869 per person. The residential growth rate assumption and residential occupancy assumption mean that 190 new fulltime residents will call Alpine Meadows home in the next 35 years, and those 190 new fulltime people will build 180 new residential dwellings.
Here are the approved amounts for fire mitigation fees per square foot of new construction in Alpine Meadows:
| Residential | ||
| Current | $1.24 | |
| New | $1.34 | 7.7% increase |
| Commercial | ||
| Current | $2.01 | |
| New | $1.69 | 16.1% decrease |
| Office | ||
| Current | $2.56 | |
| New | $2.14 | 16.3% decrease |
| Industrial | ||
| Current | $1.79 | |
| New | $1.50 | 16.4% decrease |
Once the Placer County Board of Supervisors approves the new fee amounts (probably at the end of January), the fees will become effective 60 days later.
For more information about the ASCWD fire mitigation fees, please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com
NORTH TAHOE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD ADOPTS NEW MITIGATION FEE STUDY
The North Tahoe Fire Protection District (NTFPD) Board of Directors reviewed a second mitigation fee study on December 5, following the rejection of the first study November 7. The second fee study, released just a few days before the NTFPD Board meeting, used a much different methodology and the resulting fee amount for residential was one cent more than the first fee study amount for residential ($1.24 per square foot vs. $1.23 per square foot).
However, the fee increases for the non-residential land use categories were significantly higher with the second study: Commercial increased by $0.50 per SF (from $0.74 to $1.24); Office increased by $0.30 per SF (from $0.94 to $1.24); and Industrial doubled! (from $0.62 to $1.24 per SF).
At the December 5 NTFPD Board meeting, CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison asked for a one month delay to allow more time to research the methodology and also hold a public workshop to inform fee payers, consultants, and others before a decision was made on the significant increases being proposed.
The NTFPD Board did not delay the decision. They adopted the second fee study but used the lower non-residential rates from the first fee study. A two year phasing schedule was approved as well. Once the Placer County Board of Supervisors approves the new fee amounts (probably at the end of January), the fees will become effective 60 days later.
Residential
Current (2018) $1.09
Year 1 (2019) $1.17
Year 2 (2020) $1.24 + inflationary adjustment
Commercial
Current (2018) $0.74
Year 1 (2019) $0.79
Year 2 (2020) $0.84 + inflationary adjustment
Office
Current (2018) $0.94
Year 1 (2019) $1.00
Year 2 (2020) $1.06 + inflationary adjustment
Industrial
Current (2018) $0.62
Year 1 (2019) $0.67
Year 2 (2020) $0.72 + inflationary adjustment
Current and past mitigation reports and studies have now been added to the NTF website:
https://www.ntfire.net/mitigation-fee-plan
For more information about the NTF mitigation fees and studies, please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison at 530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com
TRUCKEE RELEASES PLAN REVIEW TURNAROUND GOALS
Truckee Interim CBO Dan West visited LGAC on Monday, December 17 and brought two new documents: one relates to Plan Check Turnaround times and the other relates to Over the Counter Thursdays (OTCT). The OTCT program is described in more detail in the following article.
The Plan Check Review chart captures all three review arms of the Town: Engineering, Planning, and Building. As noted on the form, these are timeframes during peak periods with non-peak times expected to be shorter.
Download the form here to see all notes.
Here is a sampling of what the form contains:
| Description of Project | Turnaround Goal (working days)(estimated goals – may vary based on workload |
| Expedited Solar PV | 2 |
| Fire Sprinkler | 7 |
| Resubmittal | 8 |
| Grading, Residential | 10 |
| Minor (Remodel, Alteration, Deck, Covered Patio, Sign, Solar) | 12 |
| Addition | 20 |
| Conversion | 20 |
| Detached Garage | 20 |
| Tenant Improvement | 20 |
| Grading, Non Residential | 20 |
| Single Family Residence | 25 |
| Non Residential (Commercial) | 25 |
| Multifamily | 25 |
| After-the-Fact | 25 |
Thank you Dan and Town of Truckee for helping to provide consistency and predictability!
TRUCKEE CHANGES “OVER-THE-COUNTER THURSDAY” PROGRAM
Download the Checklist/Requirements
Beginning January 1, 2019, changes to the Over-the-Counter Thursday program as described below will go into effect. For questions about the program in the meantime, please call 530-582-7821 or email cdd@townoftruckee.com. Here is the Town website with more information:
http://www.townoftruckee.com/over-the-counter-thursdays
In addition to the normal over-the-counter plan review offered throughout the week for certain types of permits (nonstructural remodels, re-roofs, M/E/Ps, etc.), the Community Development Department also offers an over-the-counter plan review program for additional types of projects every Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon. This process allows smaller projects the opportunity to gain approval from Planning, Building and Engineering without having the back-and-forth of correction lists and responses.
Beginning January 1, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., over-the-counter plan review takes place on an appointment basis. The Community Development Department takes appointments for over-the-counter plan review at 30-minute intervals (11:30 a.m. is the last appointment timeslot). See below for information on scheduling an appointment.
What Projects are Eligible for Over-the-Counter Review?
- Alterations or repairs to existing structures (no additions or conversions)
- Decks and Covered Patios (new and additions)
- Residential remodels with structural changes
- Sign change-outs
- Historic Residences: interior remodel work not affecting the building exterior
General Requirements
- Projects that encroach into a required setback or easement are not eligible for Over-the-Counter Thursday review (unless the projection is allowed under Development Code Section 18.30.120.E, Allowed Projections into Setbacks).
- A site plan and survey are required for Over-the-Counter Thursday review. Surveys must show all existing structures on the property. A property may be exempt from the survey requirements if all of the following apply: 1) The parcel size is three acres or more; 2) The existing and proposed structures are located at least 50 feet from all property lines; 3) The property does not have a recorded building envelope; and 4) Staff can verify by reviewing an aerial of the property that there is no potential for encroachment.
- If your project is on a septic system, Nevada County Environmental Health Department approval may be required. For more information, please use the following link: https://www.mynevadacounty.com/2288/Town-of-Truckee
Making an Appointment
To make an appointment, please submit the following form by 12 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to your requested appointment to cdd@townoftruckee.com, indicating the date and time of your preferred appointment:
Over the Counter Thursday Appointment Form
You may also call 530-582-7821 to schedule the appointment. You will receive a confirmation email when your appointment is scheduled.
Bring to Your Appointment
- Over-the-Counter Thursday Submittal Checklist
- Building permit request form (Residential or Commercial)
- All required documents identified on the submittal checklist for the permit type, including:
- Site Plan
- Survey
- Existing/proposed floor plans
- Existing/proposed elevations
- Any other documents that will assist staff in preparing for the appointment.
If you need assistance in determining which forms are required, please email cdd@townoftruckee.com or call 530-582-7821 and staff will assist you.
Additional Information
Please see the Residential Plan Submittal Checklist or Commercial Plan Submittal Checklist for the number of plan sets required, electronic submittal instructions and additional submittal information.
We will make every effort to accommodate any requests during Over-the-Counter Thursday, but reserve the right to render a decision that the project is too complex for this program and will need to be a regular submittal.
LGAC APPROVES CATT PRIORITIES FOR 2019
This list was unanimously approved by LGAC at their regular meeting December 17, 2018:
2019 PRIORITY ISSUES TO BE HANDLED BY CATT GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER PAT DAVISON
1. Mitigation Fees – coordinate with LGAC as a whole
Review Annual Updates (all jurisdictions)
Resolve issues with Placer County Traffic Mitigation Fees
Seek Placer County Traffic Fee conversion to SF
Monitor/Comment on Northstar Fire Mitigation Fee Study (if Martis Valley West annexation occurs)
Update CATT Mitigation Fee POLICY re when mitigation fee is calculated and 500 SF trigger for additions (all jurisdictions)
2. Truckee General Plan Update – coordinate with specific LGAC committee
3. Placer County Plan Check/Inspection Procedures & Timelines – coordinate with specific LGAC committee
4. Affordable/Workforce Housing – coordinate with specific LGAC committee (House Truckee First, Truckee funding options, Truckee 2nd unit incentives, Placer in lieu fee and small project exemption, 2nd units on smaller parcels with septic systems, Mountain Housing Council, Factory _OS tour, etc)
5. North Tahoe Fire Hydrant Requirements – coordinate with specific LGAC committee
OTHER - Continue to provide reports and information, conduct leadership training and identify committee recruits, assist with fundraising for the Issues Action Fund, attend CATT meetings, read files for scanning, and perform other administrative duties as needed. Continue to emphasize the importance of CATT members being involved in issues to affect the outcome.
2019 PRIORITY ISSUES TO BE HANDLED BY LGAC MEMBERS:
Placer County Structural Observations Report – John Wood
Multi-Jurisdictional Building Working Group – Jamie Brimer
North Tahoe Fire Plan Check Process – Pat Souza
Truckee Citizens Oversight Tax Committee – Craig Weaver
DONATE TO CATT "ISSUES ACTION FUND"
The Construction Industry is heavily regulated, with codes, fees, and policies changing on a regular basis at all levels of government. Many times, CATT dialogue with agency staff or elected officials can remove impediments or resolve problems.
But sometimes, CATT needs to take action to protect your industry in a different way. That's why you will hear the refrain: The World Is Run By Those Who Show Up with a call to action - comment now or attend a meeting. That's also why you will hear about CATT hiring experts or consultants to provide supporting information as a way to change the outcome of some code, fee, or policy proposal.
Consultants and experts give CATT an added boost, reinforcing a point from an outside perspective. That could make the difference between a questionable proposal getting adopted as is and one getting modified to be more reasonable.
CATT's Issues Action Fund is a dedicated fund set up to channel donations to those special issues where an expert or consultant can make a positive difference. LGAC controls the Issues Action Fund. Please consider making a donation to the IAF today as a way to protect your tomorrow. Download the donation form here.
For more information about the CATT Issues Action Fund, please contact CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison (530.550.9999 or pat@ca-tt.com)
WHAT IS LGAC?
CATT's Local Government Affairs Committee is a permanent committee composed of members who are interested in Fees - Codes - Regulation - Policy. This is the committee that analyzes issues affecting the building industry and determines CATT position and strategy. This committee works very closely with CATT Government Affairs Manager Pat Davison.
Bring your problems or concerns to LGAC. You may think you are alone when in reality others may be experiencing the same problems. LGAC could be the place to help you find a remedy. Experience the power of numbers with CATT as your ally.
Come to the LGAC meeting and learn what is happening with TRPA, the Town of Truckee, Special Districts, and the three Counties. Find out what CATT is doing to improve conditions for you and the building industry.
WHO IS LGAC?
CATT’s Local Government Affairs Committee (LGAC) has 18 members. LGAC Chair is John Wood (Loverde Builders, Inc.). Committee members are: Tony Commendatore (Aegis Insurance Markets), Eric Slominski (Barrish Pelham & Associates), Jamie Brimer (Brimer Construction & Plumbing), Chip Huck (CST Holdings, LLC), Dan Fraiman (Daniel Fraiman Construction), Valerie Brinker (Dickson Realty), Michael Forshee (Forshee Construction), Cody Heller (Heller Construction, Inc.), Pat Souza (Heslin Construction), John Pruyn (High West Landscape Architects), Jim Smith (Mark Tanner Construction, Inc.), Ryan Marsden (Marsden Architects, Inc.), Brian McEneaney (McEneaney Construction), Mitch Clarin (Mitchell T. Clarin), Craig Weaver (Molsby & Bordner, LLP), Kristi Thompson (MWA, Inc.), and Justin Bertoli (NSM Corporation).
If fees, regulations, codes, and policy interest you, contact LGAC Chair John Wood at 530.448.9649 or jkwood61@yahoo.com
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