Buiding Industry Association Questionnaire

By Adrian V. Barbour

2004 CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate: Adrian Barbour Office Sought: Oceanside Mayor

1. What do you believe is the number one issue affecting the Building Industry Association?

The number one issue is perhaps convincing politicians of the need to build more homes to address the scarcity of supply, which is driving up land costs, and consequently the prices of homes. Also, finding enough qualified construction laborers within the County.

2. On what public policy issues have you provided leadership, and what solutions were offered?

In 1998, it was discovered that even though the City of Oceanside honored Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday by giving a Citizen's award to an individual who most exemplifies his Spirit, they did not officially honor the holiday by allowing City staff a day off. I addressed the Council requesting that this day be officially observed as a City holiday. As a result, Dr. King's Birthday and Veteran's Day are now official holidays observed by the City.

3. Who bears responsibility to ensure that low cost housing is available in San Diego County?

The mission of the San Diego County Department of Housing and Community Development says it is responsible for ensuring available low-cost housing, but in truth this responsibility rests upon the shoulders of the residents. Unfortunately, NIMBYism prevents politicians from doing the right thing.

4. How do you propose to solve the existing infrastructure-financing problem?

In part, voting to extend the Prop A TransNet ½ Tax will solve the problem. The rest will come from innovative ways to generate greater TOT and sales tax revenue. Property taxes are growing steadily correspondingly with property values.

5. Why do you believe there is a local and statewide housing shortage crisis and what solutions would you propose?

A report I read stated that only 23% of the working families in the county could afford to purchase the median priced home in the County. The report showed that housing prices in San Diego's recently "affordable" neighborhoods are rapidly increasing to further hamper the problem. The availability of rental housing was at an all-time low with a 1% vacancy factor. It is estimated that the city of San Diego will need to build approximately 40,000 units by 2006 to accommodate the projected growth in our population. Some solutions could be to build more infill-homes in order to increase supply, but this should not exceed resources for service delivery to said properties. Also, selectively increasing density, while maintaining the intent of zoning. Perhaps building up rather than out, when allowed by Costal Commission and other regulations, may be a viable option for limited areas.

Another simpler option is to encourage young people, especially college students, to return home and pay rent to their parents until they marry or earn enough to move out.

6. Are you prepared to take a leadership role in support of increased densities as part of the smart growth movement?

Yes, but only in areas where it is in the best interest of the City of Oceanside, and realistic within economic constraints.

7. Do you favor lowering the vote requirement for bonds from the current 2/3rds to majority?

Generally, I believe in a laissez-faire economic policy, but I do support Keynesian policies during recessions. Lowering the vote requirement for bonds would align with this strategy by making it easier to borrow to stimulate the economy in the short-run. However, I think it best if this requirement had a provision for it to be rescinded once the recession has passed. Some tools are not to be used in all markets.

8. Do you think that Proposition 13 has helped or hindered local government from providing basic services and infrastructure needs?

I think it has limited local government in providing services due to restrictions on taxation of real property. However, it forces local government to become more innovative in its attempts to stimulate local economies, especially in recessionary periods.

9. How would you define Smart Growth?

I define smart growth as expanding when trends suggest it is advantageous to do so, but only when the necessary resources to support such expansion are adequate.

10. Do you have any formal or informal training in economics?

Yes, I have both. I took microeconomics during my undergraduate studies, and macroeconomics during graduate business studies at USD. In addition, I have attended several learning annex classes as well as seminars on investing, and took statistics, finance, and accounting at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

11. What is your position on Inclusionary Zoning?

I believe it should only be a voluntary provision with incentives for investor/developers. I was born and raised in Washington, DC. Nearby Montgomery County, Maryland, instituted countywide mandatory inclusionary zoning, known as the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) ordinance. Montgomery County is the leading national example of the use of this technique at the county level. The program requires developers of more than 50 residential units to set aside 12.5 to 15 percent MPDUs, dispersed throughout their subdivisions. Since its inception, the Montgomery County program has produced nearly 10,000 units of affordable housing in that county (Innovative Housing Institute 1999a). In Montgomery County, affordable housing at 50 to 80 percent of median is approximately $85,000 to $125,000 per unit. I believe occupants should undergo mandatory education covering real estate concepts and property maintenance. This would help acculturate them to the world of property stewardship and perhaps ownership. This may help reduce the tendency for nearby property atrophy, a great concern among property owners. However, I do not support it where it would encroach upon agricultural land, since this is a significant source of revenue for our state and local economy.

12. How would you ensure that a sufficient supply of land is zoned for employment and residential development to address future growth needs?

First of all, I think the Information Age somewhat blurs this distinction. Employment can be increased in residential areas as more professional service independent contractors and employers allow employees more flextime and telecommuting options. Nevertheless, I would analyze the demographic data trends from BLS, SANDAG, and US Census to determine accurate population and economic growth needs.

13. Please state your position on mass transit and the effort to extend the ½ cent Transnet sales tax.

I support the Prop A/TransNet ½ cent tax and mass transit projects like the Sprinter. I see this as critical infrastructure to accommodate the population and economic growth for the next decade and beyond. This is greatly needed to provide more mass transit options that tie North and Metro San Diego County together as the North becomes more of an independent economic driver in the Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Homeland Security technology markets.

14. There are many issues important to the building industry, some of which are listed below. What actions would you take as an elected official regarding the following issues:

a)Habitat Conservation Plans-Oversea the maintenance and conservation of existing plans that protect certain species and land in accordance with the law. b)Ballot box planning-This can be a useful tool at times, but should not become the key means by which land use decisions are made. It is important for elected officials to keep the communication lines open between constituents and developers. This is often the cause of the friction that leads to ballot initiatives. Poor education and communication = ballot initiatives.

c)Condo Conversions-I would promote this option for apartment owners to give more families the chance to own property in our City, and to increase property tax revenue. To date this has not significantly impacted the apartment rental market or occupancy rates.

d)Construction dispute resolution reform-I'll promote the inclusion of ADR remedies, including binding re-evaluation, mediation, and arbitration clauses in City awarded contracts. I am a trained mediator.

e)Living Wage-Endeavor to improve the transition education of exiting military labor force, specifically for them to understand the market value of their skills, thus lowering the wages throughout the County.

f)Regional development impact fees.--These should be reasonable, not exorbitant, to genuinely evaluate and mitigate critical impacts.

g)Impact fees and permit processing-FasTrack these for a specific period tied to goals, such as when median home prices reach a sustainable level that a significant percentage of the population can afford according to stats on per capita/household income.

h)Water availability and storage--I support for IDEC. We have natural aquifers.

i)Storm Water Runoff---This will reduce flash flood damage.

15. What are the top three groups that you believe can affect public policy in San Diego and why?

1. SDCAA- For more then 80 years, SDCAA has provided members with education and training, business networking opportunities and important legislative advocacy. Now, more than 2,600 members strong, SDCAA is one of the most highly respected rental housing industry associations in the State of California and is affiliated with the California Apartment Association.

2. NSDCAR- A trade association representing nearly 6,000 real estate professionals in San Diego County.

3. BIA- The Building Industry Association of San Diego County (BIA), established in 1938, is a well-respected, non-profit trade association that represents the legislative and business interests of 1,450 member companies and their 165,000 employees.

16. What is your position on Regional Governance? Please provide the name of your campaign consultant and fundraiser.

We are self-managed. Agencies such as SANDAG and the League of California Cities are excellent venues for Regional Governance. I studied campaigning from the Political Campaign Management Institute at UC Davis in 1996. My Treasurer is a 3rd term OUSD School Board Trustee who has lived in the area since the early 70's. Together we know the layout of the precincts well.

Education:

Master of Science Degree, Global Leadership Ahler's Center for International Business University of San Diego

Bachelor of Science, Organizational Leadership BIOLA University, La Mirada, CA

Multiple Venture Technology Accredited IBI Global, Free Enterprise Forum, Huntsville, AL.