by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
In the hundreds of municipal zoning meetings I’ve attended in my career, the same three objections to new growth and development have been made at each one: traffic congestion, storm water runoff, and school capacity. These concerns are typically unfounded. Let me...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
Interest rates remain unchanged since the summer, but several cuts are projected for 2024. A group of thirty-four economists, surveyed by the Philadelphia Federal Reserve in the United States’ oldest quarterly economic forecast...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
The land-light asset model is increasingly prevalent in today’s homebuilding industry. This approach involves using third-party providers to help builders reduce capital intensity, manage risk, focus on their core competencies, and achieve their financial...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
Legislatures in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island are building on the zoning reform achievements of the 2023 legislative sessions in other states to implement zoning reforms. Meanwhile, zoning reform attempts in other states have fallen short, but legislators remain...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
Individuals naturally act in their own best interest. This is known as “rational action theory.” This concept also extends to neighborhoods, where groups may prioritize their immediate surroundings, sometimes at the expense of larger, community-wide needs like housing...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
In a recent opinion, the Supreme Court of Alabama held that if a preliminary subdivision plat complies with all the City’s subdivision regulations, then it cannot be denied approval for vague or unspecified reasons. T Investments, LLC, and FHM Company, LLP v....
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
In early June, the Alabama legislature wrapped up its 2023 Regular Session which included the passage of several bills that affect the housing and development industry. Below is a summary of each bill, related to the housing industry, that has been signed into law by...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
When that perfect piece of property has a river (or a stream) running through it, the landowner must obtain an environmental permit before development can begin. Even standard development activities, such as the installation of storm pipe, waterlines, and roadway...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
“Buy land, they’re not making it anymore.” This well-known adage, often credited to Mark Twain, is familiar to many. It’s something we understand instinctively yet bears reiterating: land is a finite resource. Once developed, adapting land for alternative uses...
by Rhett Loveman | Dec 16, 2024 | Insights
The cost of land and entitlements drive housing costs and are influenced by a variety of factors. Permit, tap, and impact fees coupled with work required to adhere to regulations, zoning, and building codes, directly affect pre-construction costs. Substantial dollars...
