Position Statements

Under All is the Land…
Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.

The 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.

LPlan 2040 Growth Scenario
The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln supports a future Growth Scenario which recognizes the need for future multi-directional growth. We understand the development of LPlan2040 is a work in progress and will continue to monitor the process. We would like to commend the Planning Department for their ongoing effort to consider input from local and state agencies, interest groups, private citizens and the LPlan2040 Advisory Committee in developing possible Growth Scenarios.

Centennial Mall Project Fund
The Governmental Affairs Committee of the REALTORS® Association supports LB 496 establishing The Centennial Mall Project Fund. As the State of Nebraska approaches its Sesquicentennial 150th Birthday, we urge local REALTOR® Associations across the state, along with our Nebraska REALTORS® Association to also support LB 496.

West Haymarket Arena Project
The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln supports the proposed West Haymarket Arena project and the issuance of general obligation bonds that will be voted on May 11, 2010.

The 16,000-seat basketball arena and entertainment venue is a part of a development which also includes a 200-room hotel, an ice center, retail and office space, and 100 residential units as well as open festival and gathering spaces and additional parking facilities.

The addition of a modern arena is vital to both retaining established events in the city and attracting new ones.

Lincoln’s investment of $25 million in the project will be funded by a state turn-back tax, an economic development tool created by the Nebraska Legislature that will pay the city from state sales tax collected at the arena and nearby hotels and will apply it toward payment of the bonds.

The association believes that any new or increased lodging or restaurant taxes related to the project will be justified and offset by the economic impact of new jobs the arena and associated development in the West Haymarket will generate for Lincoln and its business community. In addition, the project will have a positive impact on city sales tax revenues along with business and personal income throughout the community.

The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln supports this development and believes it will lead to economic growth in the community and will provide substantial return on the community’s investment in the form of tourism and increased sales tax revenue.

The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln urges all citizens to vote in favor of the West Haymarket Development project.

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.

Development Services Center
The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln supports the concept and physical improvements as proposed for a Development Services Center, however additional focus is needed on the cultural mind-set and the total time required to process developments and permits.
The Association offers strong support for an overall restructuring of the process and an attitudinal change of those individuals involved. We would like to also point out the essential need to implement quantitative measurements with an emphasis on reducing the total amount of time necessary to process applications.
The Association commends the City for its efforts with the DSC and believe it has great potential provided the structure and overall culture are improved and measured.

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.

Importance of New Housing
We support efforts to stimulate the local construction industry because of its positive impact on the local economy. At the present time, new home permits are at their lowest point in 20 years. In good times, this industry provides valuable jobs for the community — not just those in construction trades, but in every related industry as well. Many times these jobs are stepping stones that allow individuals to learn a trade and eventually start businesses of their own. These are the types of benefits that are immeasurable in terms of creating job growth and providing new opportunities in our community. New construction benefits the entire local economy.

It’s a fact that each home buyer makes significant purchases related to their property and their lifestyle within six months of their home purchase. These additional purchases include appliances, furnishings, landscaping, electronics, home décor and even automobiles. Those purchases are all part of the positive economic benefit and the multiplier-effect that has a positive impact on the entire community and benefits all citizens. The residential construction industry accounts for over 20 percent of the local economy. Most of those jobs reside in the community and as construction-related jobs return to full-time status, a significant portion of the additional wages that are paid are spent in the city increasing local sales tax receipts. That spending also enables residents in other areas of the community to purchase additional goods and services, pay additional taxes, and support the growth of even more jobs.

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 home buyers.

Mandatory Residential Fire Sprinklers
The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln opposes the adoption of mandatory fire sprinkler requirements in all new one- and two-family homes and townhomes as defined in the 2009 International Residential Code®.

Today, fire sprinklers are available in the marketplace and the installation decision should remain with the private home owner and not the government. There is no restriction that prevents private home owners from installing fire sprinklers; however, most owners see the cost of fire sprinklers as excessive in terms of the related benefits, and prefer to rely on smoke detectors for personal safety.

The proposed building requirements for mandatory fire sprinklers will negatively impact moderate income residents the most as they are squeezed out of the new housing market.

New homes being built today are the safest homes ever built and as a result fire sprinklers provide minimal safety benefit for a very high cost. Smoke detectors on the other hand offer a great degree of personal safety at a low cost.

In addition to the high cost of construction, other negative issues associated with the installation of fire sprinklers include: potential freezing; damage from accidental discharge; the availability of adequate water pressure; increased impact fees related to the need for a larger water line; annual maintenance and inspection costs; and a disproportionate, small reduction in the cost of homeowners insurance.

Transfer Tax Position Statement
The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln opposes the imposition of real estate transfer taxes and fees under any condition. Whether as a general or earmarked revenue source, real estate transfer taxes and fees are a major burden to buyers and sellers, particularly at the time of closing. Additionally, these taxes and fees:

• Have a negative impact on housing costs and economic development.
• Reduce housing opportunities across the income spectrum, and;
• Are particularly poor revenue sources for the operating budgets of state and local governments because of their extreme volatility.

 

Additional Licensing of Rental Properties
The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln supports the enforcement of existing ordinances related to building codes and a complaint-based housing inspection process that focuses on health and safety issues.

Any additional licensing or mandatory inspection of duplex and/or single-family rental properties makes city government larger, places upward pressure on rents, and does not necessarily eliminate problem properties.

Some currently licensed multifamily properties are in poor condition and licensing, by itself, does not guarantee the elimination of substandard conditions. The building codes inspection process can be triggered by a single complaint. The city should focus its efforts on enforcement of existing building codes, quality-of-life ordinances, complaints and the penalties related to violations.

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.

University of Nebraska Expansion
The REALTORS® Association of Lincoln supports the growth of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and their expansion into State Fair Park. The long range planning for the future roles of the University in academia and research and its expansion in these areas will serve to enhance its economic viability and prestige in the realm of higher education and, as a result, will boost economic expansion and job growth in Lincoln.

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, commonsense 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 commonsense 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.