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HOME BUILDING New Oregon Home Builders president Jones works on affordable housing legislation New OHBA president acts quickly on inclusionary zoning legislation By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Feb. 12, 2016 @ 5:20 pm By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Feb. 12, 2016 @ 5:20 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> There was little time for Randy Jones to ease into his term as president of the Oregon Home Builders Association. With the Legislature convening this month, the long-time Mahar Homes partner needed to act quickly to work out an Inclusionary zoning deal with House Democrats during the short session. Jones can't say "mission accomplished" just yet, but he'd like to think the interests of Oregon builders were served when he and CEO Jon Chandler sat down to discuss elements of SB 1533, an affordable housing bill. The bill would allow municipalities and counties to enact inclusionary zoning measures that could require low-cost housing for as much as 30 percent of a new residential development. "The big topic for our organization right now has been inclusionary zoning," Jones said. "We have a seat at the table, and we have an agreement in the works. The questions have surrounded how to fund the program and how it restricts new development." The bill was written with Portland in mind, he said, not taking in the vast differences between Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties and the rest of the state. "Our concern has been that what takes place in downtown Portland and the metro area doesn't necessarily work in Coos Bay, Klamath Falls, Bend, Medford, Roseburg or Eugene. Having a statewide association gives Jon Chandler a better chance to negotiate policy." The bill, currently in the Finance and Revenue Committee, would end the Legislature's 1999 ban on inclusionary zoning. Local governments would be able to adopt policies or impose conditions for approval of permits, effectively establishing sales or rental prices for up to 30 percent of new residential developments. Rules also could limit sales or rental purchases to classes or groups of purchasers or renters in exchange for one or more developer incentives. Some elements, the homebuilders can live with, Jones said, others not. For example, they have bargained for 20 percent, rather than the originally proposed 30 percent. "I'm pleased with what I've seen coming out of preliminary negotiations," Jones said. "Hopefully, we'll get legislation we can support coming out of the short session. It isn't over until it's over, but right now it looks like something effectively addressing our workforce housing and affordable housing needs in new construction." Jones said he wasn't interested in the statewide position until the organization changed its governance structure, meaning less travel and fewer volunteer hours. "I didn't plan on being state president at 66," he said. "I should've done it when I was 50. At least now we do meetings through electronic communication, instead of driving four hours to Salem for a one-hour meeting and then driving back for four hours." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Follow @@GregMTBusiness Posted Feb. 12, 2016 @ 5:20 pm » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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