What have you done for

me lately?

A recap of some of AHA’s recent accomplishments for our members and the home building industry in general

 

During a slow economy businesses look for opportunities to cut cost and reduce overhead.  We start to ask each other, “what have you done for me lately?” 

 

Well, we thought that we would take a brief opportunity to explain some of our latest accomplishments for the industry.  Staff has worked tirelessly with local government to hold off and in some cases repeal existing fees and codes that drive up the cost of a new home.  Below is a brief summary of just some of the things AHA has done for you lately:

 

  • Elgin:  AHA stopped a nearly $6,000 per home increase in impact fees.  (With nearly 15,000 new home sites approved by Elgin city officials, that represents a potential savings of nearly $90 million in fees for home builders.)  Under intense lobbying by AHA and its allies in building trades and business community, Elgin officials first lowered fee proposal and then this month agreed to freeze fees through 2008, possibly through 2009.  Meanwhile we are pushing for lowering existing fees.

 

  • Naperville: Working with local builders, AHA stopped a vacant lot maintenance ordinance and convinced City Council to rewrite ordinance, saving as much as $10,000 in vacant lot upgrades.

 

  • Huntley:  AHA led effort to repeal single family fire sprinkler mandate, saving in excess of $10,000 per home.
  • Highland Park:  Working with REALTORS, AHA stopped a fire sprinkler mandate that would have applied to both new homes and remodeling, saving in excess of $20,000 a home.

 

  • Yorkville:  AHA helped organize a group of builders to oppose and stop a “visitability” ordinance, saving more than $2,000 per home.

 

  • McHenry County:  AHA worked with county to modify a conservation subdivision ordinance to lower construction costs for builders.  Will continue to work with county on underlying zoning issues to increase density bonus.

 

  • Kane County:  Stopped County Board consideration of school proposal for increase in school land/cash contributions by builders in unincorporated Kane County.

 

  • Chicago:  Created ComEd Developer’s Forum to help City of Chicago builders cut through ComEd utility red tape.

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Contact Paul Colgan Chief Executive Officer