Don’t miss out on the last BIA event of the year.  Register Here!  Ugly Sweaters Optional.

Council Action Expected to Protect City Owned Open Space Land

The San Diego City Council will consider a proposal Tuesday afternoon to reclassify thousands of acres of city owned land zoned for open space that, if adopted, would require a public vote in order for it to be converted to other uses. The original proposal sought to convert nearly 10,000 acres of city-owned open space from ‘designated’ to ‘dedicated’ which carries more rigged controls over the use of the property. City Staff pared down the amount of land to 5,800 acres  citing the need for additional studies.  The Land Use and Housing Committee pushed for a higher amount and the inclusion of Enterprise Fund owned property – but the Independent Budget Analysis reports that it would cost the city a least $30 million to reimburse the fund to transfer the property.  The city faces an end of the year deadline as prescribed by Senate Bill 1169 (Kehoe) that allows for the expedited land reclassification.  The BIA has consulted with staff to ensure the reclassification will not adversely affect private property or impede the city’s ability to use the land for future infrastructure needs.

New County Planning Team Meets with BIA

Mark Wardlaw, the new Director of the County’s Department of Planning and Development Services was a guest at the BIA’s City County Legislation Committee to discuss land use changes. He was joined by Assistant Director Beth Murray and Jeff Murphy, the new Chief of Advance Planning. Wardlaw says the department will focus on customer service and process efficiency that include aggressive staff training.  The department will focus on a clear set of policies intended to implement the county’s new general plan.  Wardlaw spent eleven years in San Diego with the City Planning Department and was involved in the early creation of the Centre City Development Corporation.

Many months of planning and work are about to come to fruition when the BIA launches its new and improved website next week!  It will feature smooth navigation, a vastly improved aesthetic, and will become the new source of BIA news and information sharing.

Here is a sneak peak at the new homepage!

Be the first to visit the new site by watching for the official launch on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

It is with great sadness that BIA learns of the recent passing of Bob Santos, President of BIA San Diego in 1994.  Bob fought courageously against Multiple Myeloma cancer for five years.  He will be buried in San Luis Obispo near his parents in a private family only service. 

Information for the Celebration of Bob Santos:

        Friday  - December 7th
        11:00AM
        Hangar 244, The Great Park – Irvine

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Bob’s favorite charities: Families Foward or International Myeloma Foundation.  Please mail donations “in memory of Robert Santos” to: 

Families Forward
9221 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92618
or donate online at www.families-forward.org

Or

International Myeloma Foundation
12650 Riverside Dr. Suite 206
North Hollywood, CA 91607
or donate online at www.myeloma.org.

Tentative Ruling Derails SANDAG Regional Transportation Plan

A Tentative Ruling issued by Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor says the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) failed to properly address the reduction of greenhouse gasses in its Environmental Impact Report as part of the Regional Transportation Plan and the Sustainable Communities Strategies passed in October 2011.   The judge cited a 2005 Executive Order by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that stipuled that the state will reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2020, and to 1990 levels; by 2050. The Governor’s action lead to the creation of AB 32 that established the order as state law. Environmentalists sued after SANDAG passed the RTP claiming it focused too much on roads and highways at the expense of mass transit.  The tentative ruling follows months of legal wrangling and a hearing and calls on SANDAG to set aside the certification of the EIR.

Council Considers Added Protection of City Owned Land

The San Diego City Council will consider a proposal to reclassify thousands of acres of city owned land zoned for open space that, if adopted, would require a public vote in order for it to be converted to other uses. The original proposal sought to convert nearly 10,000 acres of city-owned open space from ‘designated’ to ‘dedicated’ which carries more rigged controls over the use of the property. The city faces an end of the year deadline as prescribed by Senate Bill 1169 (Kehoe) that allows for the expedited land reclassification.  It is limited to city owned property already slated for open space.  The proposal has been pared down nearly in half following a staff analysis of individual parcels.  The BIA has consulted with staff to ensure the reclassification will not adversely affect private property or impede the city’s ability to use the land for future infrastructure needs. The City Council will take up the proposal when it reconvenes after the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The following BIA San Diego members already know things are looking better for 2013.  They realize that now is the time to strengthen those relationships and get the necessary exposure throughout the year.  Why are these companies committing to the Partnership Program?

-Exposure all throughout the year on multiple marketing materials
-Half of your investment goes back to you in pre-paid credit to attend events
-VIP access to certain events, including Meet the Builder
-Enhanced visibility in membership directory (commitment by December)
-Recognized as a company with elevated commitment in supporting the building industry

*companies in bold are the latest to commit to the 2013 Partnership Program

With such a wide range of companies representing multiple categories of our industry, if you don’t see your competitor now…you will soon.  Don’t be left out in the cold.  Submit your P2 commitment form now so you can get some extra exposure in a future newsletter.

 for more information about the Partnership Program and to download the 2013 P2 commitment form.

Submit commitment forms to:

Michael Harris, Director of Membership

858-514-7027

michael@biasandiego.org

A capacity crowd descended on the Mission Bay Hilton last Thursday evening for BIA’s Annual Dinner.  The foyer was buzzing with conversation held over cocktails while guests placed silent bids for the auction supporting BIA Cares. 

The evening’s program began with remarks from former Mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio, who thanked the industry for its outstanding support of growth in San Diego.

He lost a close race with incoming Mayor Bob Filner on November 6th, but says he will continue to advocate for San Diego’s success as a leader in the private sector.  DeMaio’s remarks were followed by the introduction of the 2013 Board of Directors!  (full list is below)

Headlining the evening was San Diego sports star Juli Veee who shared the story of his journey from Communist Hungary to America during the Cold War.  A long time player for the San Diego Soccers and now a strong activist in the San Diego community, Veee’s remarks were encouraging and poignant.

The program concluded with the presentation of awards to the following individuals for their outstanding commitment to the industry in 2012.

Political Achievement Award

Russ Valone, MarketPointe Realty Advisors

Legislative Affairs Award

David Stearn, D.R. Horton

Chairman’s Award

Dennis Bowling, Rick Engineering Company

Thom Fuller, Decatur Advisors, LLC

Dave Hammar, Hunsaker & Associates San Diego

Luis Parra, Tory R. Walker Engineering, Inc.

S. Wayne Rosenbaum, Stoel Rives LLP

Tory Walker, Tory R. Walker Engineering, Inc.

Shawn Weedon, Geocon Incorporated

Recruitment Awards:

*Jim Schmid, Chelsea Investments

Special thanks to Emmerson Construction team:  Janice, Susan, Patty

*Julie Menas, Menas Realty Company

*Kay Grimes, Cornerstone Communities (200 Spikes)

*Tom Perez, Engineering Partners (400 Spikes)

The 2013 Board of Directors:

Chairman

Marco Sessa, Sudberry Properties

Vice Chairman

James Schmid, Chelsea Investment Corp.

Treasurer/Secretary

David Poole, Brookfield Homes

General Counsel

Jeffrey Chine, Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP

President & CEO

Borre Winckel, BIA

Past Chairman

Guy Asaro,The Corky McMillin Companies

Board Members:

Mike Mahoney, ConAm

Russ Murfey, Veritas Urban Properties

Bill Ostrem, Black Mountain Ranch

John Patterson, Gillespie Moody Patterson

Tom Perez, Engineering Partners

Alex Plishner, Shea Homes

Scot Sandstrom, New Pointe Communities

Kent Aden, Homefed Corp.

Graeme Gabriel, ColRich

Kay Grimes, Cornerstone Communities

Dave Hammar, Hunsaker & Associates San Diego

Marc Harris, Performance Drywall & Insulation

David Stearn, D.R. Horton

Russ Valone, MarketPointe Realty Advisors

The annual dinner is this Thursday, November 15th - register today!

You won’t want to miss another near-soldout event with strong builder registration.  Headlining the event will be San Diego sports icon Juli Veee.  His story of fleeing Communist Hungary and coming to America promises to be inspiring and a pertinent reminder of how blessed we are to live in such a great country.

The evening will also feature the presentation of the 2013 Board of Directors, Chairman’s Award, Political Achievement Award, Membership Awards, and Legislative Affairs Award.

From 5:00-6:30 enjoy cocktails and the BIA Cares Silent Auction.  Some of the items that can be won include:

Cohn Restaurant Group and Movie Basket

POP Phone and POP Phone Base

Park City Condo for 2 people for 7 days

Juli Veee Signed Lithograph and Signed Soccer Ball

Golf and Lunch for 3 at The Bridges

Landscape Gift Certificate

Kate Spade handbag

Golf for 4 at The Crosby

Signed Lamar Odom Basketball

Lilly Pulitzer Handbag

San Diego Zoo Passes

Foursome at Escondido Country Club

Del Mar Country Club Foursome

Opus One 2005 Wine

Hawaii Vacation Getaway

Foursome at Lake San Marcos

Tuscan Art piece

BIA Installation Dinner Tickets

Be sure to check out pictures from last year’s Annual Dinner and we’ll see you this Thursday!

With the results of the San Diego Mayor’s race garnering most of the media attention, the BIA wishes to congratulate the following industry supported candidates who won their race in the November 6^th General Election.  With more than 300,000 votes left to count other races remain too close to call.  Visit the BIA website for the latest election results as the final ballots are tabulated.

Carlsbad City Council

Keith Blackburn

Chula Vista City Council

Mary Salas

Pam Bensoussan

El Cajon City Council

Bill Wells

City of Escondido

Mike Morasco

Oceanside City Council

Jack Feller

San Marcos City Council

Rebecca Jones

City of Santee

Randy Voepel – Mayor

Jack Dale – City Council

Superior Court Judge

Bob Amador

State Assembly

Brian Jones – 71^st District

Marie Waldron – 75^th District

Brian Maienschein – 77^th District

U.S. Congress

Darrell Issa – 49^th District

Duncan Hunter – 50^th District

The following BIA San Diego members already know things are looking better for 2013.  They realize that now is the time to strengthen those relationships and get the necessary exposure throughout the year.  Why are these companies committing to the Partnership Program?

-Exposure all throughout the year on multiple marketing materials
-Half of your investment goes back to you in pre-paid credit to attend events
-VIP access to certain events, including Meet the Builder
-Enhanced visibility in membership directory (commitment by December)
-Recognized as a company with elevated commitment in supporting the building industry

*companies in bold are the latest to commit to the 2013 Partnership Program

With such a wide range of companies representing multiple categories of our industry, if you don’t see your competitor now…you will soon.  Don’t be left out in the cold.  Submit your P2 commitment form now so you can get some extra exposure in a future newsletter.

 for more information about the Partnership Program and to download the 2013 P2 commitment form.

Submit commitment forms to:

Michael Harris, Director of Membership

858-514-7027

michael@biasandiego.org