The San Diego City Council voted to continue the Mid-City Interim Height Ordinance (IHO) for another two years and pledged staff and financial support to complete the Uptown Community Plan.  The IHO  was first established in 2008 and was slated to sunset in 30 months.  City staff had proposed that the height limit remain in place until the completion of the community plan update — but the plan is years behind schedule and a completion date remains elusive. The ordinance caps new construction at 50 feet or 65 feet along 5th Avenue, Robinson Avenue University Avenue and Washington Street.

The BIA joined by the  Hillcrest Business Association and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce opposed the open ended extension and called for the ordinance to sunset as planned.

Guy Asaro, 2012 Building Industry Association (BIA) of San Diego County Chairman, delivers his Chairman’s Message at the 2012 Installation Celebration on January 21, 2012 at the Omni Hotel in downtown San Diego. Immediately preceding the speech Guy Asaro was formally installed into the office of 2012 BIA Chairman by his father Frank L. Asaro, a prominent San Diego estate attorney and, for over a decade, former BIA General Council.

BIA Installation Speech
January 21, 2011

Wow, what a wonderful celebration we are having this evening. Dad, thank you for your kind words.

Tonight’s event is all about vision….. and I had the privilege of growing up in a house with a man of great vision. Dad, you had the vision to be the first in our family to leave the tuna fishing community…to go to college and then law school… and the vision to become part of this industry. I hope, as I stand here today, that you can see what an inspiration you and mom have always been to me and to the rest of our family. Read the rest of this entry »

Cornerstone Communities

Next month, Cornerstone Communities will unveil Veranza at The Summit Eastlake, a new neighborhood of 111 two-story triplex homes in Chula Vista.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 11th and come view three decorated models showcasing exciting interiors by Blackbird Interiors and outdoor living by Terra Firma Landscape.  Veranza offers an ideal combination of style, value, energy efficiency, and a preferred address.

Summit Recreation Center at Veranza

Distinguished by Spanish, Santa Barbara and Craftsman architecture, the Veranza residences will range from approximately 1,259 to 1,656 square feet, including three bedrooms and two and one-half baths plus a side-by-side, two-car attached garage. The largest home will also encompass a versatile loft, and kitchens in two plans will feature a gourmet island for meal preparation and serving. Prices are expected to start in the mid $200,000s. Read the rest of this entry »

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A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 4 at Daybreak Church, 6515 Ambrosia Lane, Carlsbad.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders or World Vision. 

View the U-T San Diego’s article about Curt.

On Tuesday, January 24th, the San Diego City Council will consider a proposal to extend the Mid-City Interim Height Limit ordinance (IHO)  until the completion of the Uptown Community Plan.  It was first established in 2008 and was slated to sunset in 30 months.  With the community plan update still years away –  city staff is recommending that the height limit remain in place indefinitely. The ordinance caps new construction at 50 feet or 65 feet along 5th Avenue, Robinson Avenue University Avenue and Washington Street.

The BIA strongly opposes an extension of the IHO because it is an unnecessary regulatory impediment to economic recovery in the Mid-City area.  The Council should abide by its original intent and allow the interim ordinance to sunset. The BIA is joined by the  Hillcrest Business Association and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce in opposition to the ordinance extension.

 It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of Curt Noland, our friend and great industry supporter.  Curt died at home last night at the age of 55, surrounded by his family.  He leaves behind many close friends to whom he was an inspiration both in their personal and business lives.  Curt managed HomeFed’s real estate assets as vice president and senior development officer of the Carlsbad-based residential real estate development company.   He was deeply passionate about everything he undertook. 

At BIA, Curt was a prominent member of its President’s Council, which acts as an advisory panel to the Board of Directors.  In that capacity Curt provided the industry with years of invaluable insights.   He will be sorely missed by his many friends.  While his life was cut short unexpectedly, he made a great impact on many lives and on our industry for which we shall remain extremely grateful.  We extend our deepest sympathies to the Noland family.

Guy Asaro, Chairman, BIA of San Diego County

BIASD President and C.E.O., Borre Winckel, was recently recognized by the San Diego Daily Transcript as a ’2012 Top Influential’.  Click here to read the full article or view the full list of ’2012 Top Influentials’ on the Daily Transcript’s website.

The Following chart represents the number of single-family and multifamily building permits pulled in San Diego County since 2006.  While improving from the depths of the recession, permit activity remains far below the annual rate of 10,500 units necessary to accommodate population growth.  BIA remains steadfast in its advocacy on behalf of the 700 member companies and 60,000 men and women affiliated with the construction industry.

The building industry recognizes that it needs to be smart and strategic in its energy efficiency building practices, especially with Sacramento asking for ever greater compliance. The day is coming when the net-zero environment is going to be the standard. An important weapon in our arsenal is our partnership with San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Through our participation in SDG&E’s California Advanced Homes Program (CAHP), San Diego builders have constructed a strong foundation in establishing an energy ethic.

Brookfield's RockRose homes have a building efficiency of T24+35% with optional EE upgrades at T24+45%.

In fact, the amount of energy saved in the past two years through new home construction has gone through the roof. San Diego builders are outperforming CAHP’s projections, with the kilowatt hour (kWh) goal expected to reach 216 percent of the three-year program cycle goal. Read the rest of this entry »