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.