www.NAHB.org Week of March 10, 2003 Front Page   President's Message n Welcome to NBN Online   Housing Forum n Tell Builders Where the Owls Are   Regulation n INS Withdraws Rule That Would Have Clouded Foreigners' U.S. Vacation Plans n California Lawmaker Tackles Regulatory Barriers to Housing   Housing Politics n Economy Needs Boost From Bush Tax Plan, Builders Say n Lumber Talks Hit a Bump in the Road n Bankruptcy Reform Housing Provisions Supported n Congress Approves Housing Spending Measures n Government Procurement an Opportunity for Home Builders   Smart Growth n Federal Involvement in Land Use Decisions Blasted n Builder Appointed to Land Use Council   Housing and Economics n Spotlight on: Columbia, SC   Sales & Marketing n Manufacturers Can Be Rewarding Partners n Winners of The Nationals Represent New Marketing Trends   Codes and Standards n Building Codes Merger a Big Plus for Builders n Action Kit Helps Fight Floodplain Regulation Changes   Construction Safety n Toolbox Talk: If Your Home Owner Needs Railings, So Do You   Environment n Clean Water Bill Fails to Address Wetlands Concerns   Labor n Female U.S. Veterans Pursue Careers in Housing n HBI a One-Stop Resource for Work Force Needs   Multifamily n Effort Seeks Increase of Affordable Rental Housing Supply   For Consumers n High Ceilings Increasingly Popular   Building News Coast To Coast   Association News & Events n More ‘Building Homes of Our Own’ CD-ROMs on the Way n Calendar of Events n 2003 NAHB Leadership   NBN Back Issues   Print Article Email the Editor Federal Involvement in Land Use Decisions Blasted Cities, towns and counties — not the heavy hand of the federal government — are best equipped to make their own land use and planning decisions, according to policy adopted by the NAHB Board of Directors at its winter meeting in Las Vegas.   The policy was added to a smart growth statement adopted by the board in 1999.    “The federal government should not be involved in local land use decisions and should not issue mandates that restrict local authority,” the NAHB resolution said. “Rather, the federal government should work to eliminate redundant and contradictory regulations that impede economic development and the provision of housing.”   “We believe that land use decisions are best left to local officials who know the needs and desires of their communities,” said NAHB Vice President and Secretary David Pressly, who was chairman of the Smart Growth Advisory Group. Learn how Countrywide®'s National Builder Division works locally to speed up the closing process. Discover how Countrywide can qualify almost any homebuyer with its wide selection of ARMs.   The NAHB policy change comes at a time when some members of Congress are trying to use federal mandates in transportation legislation to force changes in land use planning in local markets, Pressly said. “To hold federal highway construction monies hostage until local governments make federally mandated changes in their land use plans is totally unacceptable,” he said.   Click here to read the entire NAHB Smart Growth Policy Statement. go to top Hot Topics! Need to Buy General Liability Insurance? Are You Controlling Your Exposure to Moisture, Mold and Fungus? Do You Know How to Compete for Insurance Dollars and Coverage? Insurance Coverage a Challenge?

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