REALTORS® Association of Lincoln
Public Policy StatementsThe REALTORS® Association of Lincoln is dedicated to the protection and preservation of the free enterprise system and the individual and collective rights to own real property as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the State of Nebraska. To that end, we offer the benefits that our knowledge of real estate, our experience, and our technical resources bring to the public in general and to the governments that serve them. Because we are concerned with a number of issues facing our members and our community, the following statements of the principles underlying our policy recommendations is provided so that the public will better understand the specific positions on current issues.
HOUSING
We believe homeownership serves as a cornerstone of our democratic system of government and deserves a preferred place in our system of values as it contributes to community responsibility; civic, economic, business and employment stability; and well being. Homeownership is vitally important to the American way of life. It benefits society as well as the communities in which homeowners reside.We believe that the political stability and economic prosperity of Lincoln, NE and the State of Nebraska are dependent in large measure on the right of the individual to own real property and to exercise and enjoy the benefits of ownership. We strongly support the full and free responsible exercise of this right and oppose actions by governments, groups or individuals that diminish or deny it.
We believe that every individual should have the opportunity to live in safe and decent housing. These objectives can best be served by a healthy residential and commercial real estate market in an economic environment that fosters an ample supply and accessible financing.
FAIR HOUSING
We subscribe to the policy of fair housing; we believe that equal opportunity in housing can best be achieved through continued leadership; observance of law; education and mutual cooperation of the real estate industry and the public through a free and open housing market. No person should have their right to rent or purchase shelter of choice abridged because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, ancestry or marital status. Furthermore, local ordinances including land use and zoning regulations should not impede or inhibit the free and open market for real property for anyone in the above mentioned protected classes.AFFORDABLE HOUSING
It is essential that growth management plans provide for the development of affordable housing, both owner-occupied and rental, to meet existing and forecasted housing demand. These objectives may be met through market-driven approaches that foster a wide-range of urban and rural housing choices at all price levels to suit a diverse population. We support programs that provide low cost housing and assistance to first-time homebuyers.ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND JOB GROWTH
We believe that growth should be encouraged as it is a stimulus to the economy, increases the tax base, provides places to live and work, and offers opportunities that would not otherwise exist. We also recognize the responsibility we have to educate and work with local, state and federal government officials in developing responsible growth planning that is equitable and which considers the divergent needs of transportation, housing, agriculture, commercial, industrial, and environmental concerns. We also believe in the importance of a solid infrastructure to support the growing population of Lincoln. We support growth measures that provide a variety of housing and commercial opportunities and choices. We believe that excessive growth management regulation can negatively affect property rights, distort real estate markets, and threaten affordable homeownership.DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
We believe that by offering a less complex and more streamlined permit and review process will have a positive impact on the residential and commercial market and the economic development of the community. Currently the process is detailed and time-consuming that raises development cost and many times forces developers to scale back project plans, ultimately impacting buyers and businesses.FLOOD CONTROL REGULATIONS
We support the goal of flood-plain standards. The protection of the environment and the protection of existing property owners from future flooding are important goals.
We fully support individual property owners living downstream. Those citizens want, and need, flood-control. As real estate professionals, our members understand what it means to an individual property owner when she finds her home or business located in a flood-plain. Flood insurance is very expensive to acquire, it negatively impacts marketability and reduces the overall value of the property.
Flood plain regulation needs to include a reasonable, common-sense exception for granting relief – one that protects our environment and downstream property owners – and needs to allow efficient developments that wisely use the land to move forward.
In addition, flexibility needs to be an option because, in certain cases, there will be more cost-efficient means of achieving the same goals. The current standards are rigid and do not allow for common-sense adjustments to be made when flood control and water quality can be accomplished at a lower cost.ENVIRONMENT
Quality of life is one of the most important issues facing our communities today. REALTORS® believe that the quality of life must be enhanced by balancing the needs for environmental conservation, economic progress, and private property rights.COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
REALTORS® understand that cooperation between private property owners and local government is necessary to determine the best use of land. We encourage quality development in all areas of the city.
We believe, however, that every individual has the right to acquire real property with confidence and the certainty that its value will not be unduly diminished by government action without just compensation or consent by the owner.
We believe that economic viability is the primary impetus for growth in a community. Planning and zoning policy should originate with and be advocated by the people and their elected officials. Public staff should serve all of the people.
People of different ages, life-stages, incomes and lifestyles need housing. To meet demand, the market must provide a variety of housing including small and big apartments, condominiums, townhomes, senior and special needs housing, and single-family residences ranging from cluster homes to estate lots. The critical factor in providing these housing opportunities is local zoning. Consumer choice is restricted by zoning that uniformly prohibits apartments, townhomes, and condominiums. In turn, developers must respond by providing quality, innovative development types with good design consistent with community desires, and the financial community must reduce the barriers to financing these projects.
Planning for the classification and use of land must adequately consider the needs of housing, agricultural, commercial and industrial growth, as well as quality of life and a healthy local economy. Land-use planning should also take into account the impact of planning on housing affordability.
We support the planning required to assure that the public infrastructure for utilities and roads is designed in such a fashion that it is capable of handling the future expansion of our community.IMPACT FEES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Impact fees (or a development fee of some type) should be part of a complete solution, enabling the city to make infrastructure improvements (water, sewer and streets) at a pace that keeps up with the development of new neighborhoods.RAL favors a process where each development pays its fair share of infrastructure costs, but also a process that becomes predictable and streamlined and ends the current process of costly, lengthy negotiations with City departments.
There are still important questions looming about the funding of Lincoln’s infrastructure needs. Most of the funding gap is yet to be solved. A complete package of infrastructure financing tools must be put in place so that Lincoln's infrastructure financing needs are met for future generations whether they choose to live in existing neighborhoods or new neighborhoods.
MEMBERSHIP
The Association values and seeks a diverse membership. There are no barriers to full participation in the organization on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, ancestry or familial status. The Association encourages equal opportunity practices among its members.
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REALTORS® Association of Lincoln
