effective May 19, 2021, Orange County (OC) moved into the Yellow Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. This means that most businesses in OC will be allowed to increase their operational capacity.

To view the status of a business or activity of interest under the Yellow Tier, please visit the State’s website HERE.

Last week, BIA hosted three in-Person events in Orange County: the BIAOC 54th Golf Tournament at the beautiful Coto De Caza Golf Course; the Greater Sales & Marketing Council  In-Person Networking /Happy Hour honoring the Q1 Sales Awards & Top Producers Honors; and the BIASC PAC Gala at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club‎ featuring a networking reception and a live virtual presentation by special guests Former Senator Barbara Boxer and Author Ann Coulter, moderated by BIASC Chair Dave Bartlett, Brookfield Residential. Scroll below to read more and see photos from these events.

Check the upcoming News & Events section below for NEW upcoming events, webinars, and industry news - including BIAOC's Whiskey Tasting event. Register to reserve your spot today!

Scroll down to our Government Affairs Updates section for the latest BIAOC member advocacy wins and calls to action. Contact slamotte@biaoc.com to become an industry advocate today!

For questions or more information on BIAOC click here.

1st Place – Team Score: 57

2nd Place – Team Score: 58

Most Honest – Team Score – 83

1st Place – Team Score: 56

2nd Place – Team Score: 56

Most Honest – Team Score: 77

Men – Austin

Ladies – Nicole Burdette

Men – James Pearce

Ladies – Diana Vigil

Closest to the Pin #6 North – Brian Nives

Closest to the Pin #11 North – Chris Baker (5”2’)

Closest to the Pin #4 South – Bob Dinsmore (4”)

Closest to the Pin #10 South – Mark Atcosta (11” 9’)

Calling All Members - Again!  Yes, you are reading that correctly. On Tuesday, April 27, the City of Laguna Hills decided to delay the Village at Laguna Hills project. Yes, it was late in the night. And yes, the hearing was pushing 7 hours. But the reasons given to delay the vote focused on the council needing more time to study the project! Further, even after the public comments were closed due to no remaining speakers, a council member wanted to hear from more residents who oppose the project, as most of the speakers in attendance were in support. So, after the council decided to delay the hearing until June 24th, they also agreed to re-open the public comment at the next scheduled meeting. The Council is clearly using delay tactics and abusing their power to change the rules and move the goal post in the middle of a public hearing. The council has had years to study the project and speak to the developer, but for some reason has done neither.

Please join us and provide your comments to the City Council - again. The team will work with you to make this as easy as possible and can provide talking points if you need them. Speaking at a city council meeting in support of the Building Industry will make you eligible for the BIAOC Government Affairs Award and Civic Advocacy League.

Should you be able to speak, please RSVP to Martin McIntosh, 949-394-3413, martin@communicationslab.com.

Steve LaMotte, executive officer of the Building Industry Association’s Orange County Chapter, echoed Shaw’s concerns that adding more costs and regulation to an already expensive and lengthy process won’t solve the housing shortage. “Figure out a way to make it quicker, figure out a way to make it cheaper. Density is going to have to be part of the conversation,” LaMotte said. 

Check out the article HERE.

Both the Laguna Hills Mall and the Dana Point Harbor are in the midst of a significant revitalization and rehabilitation. These projects will create jobs, tax revenue, and add housing to the region. Moderated by BIAOC Executive Officer, Steve LaMotte, the event will discuss the challenges and the opportunities of both projects. Check it out HERE.

The City of Santa Ana discussed a proposed resolution this month looking at a series of goals to combat climate change. As one would imagine, the resolution focused on decarbonization, resident health and increasing park land. However, the resolution goes on to state that “urban development on a grand scale has threatened residents with increased traffic and emissions, and thus may foster an increased heat island effect, elevating heat temperatures, incurring the threat of wildfires and additional health disparities such as asthma, obesity, heat exhaustion, heat stroke”. Due to this egregious language, the BIA and its coalition partners opposed the resolution, and asked that this item be tabled. The council agreed to bring the resolution back with changes, and the BIA will continue to ensure that outright false language related to housing is not included. Should you have any further questions, please contact Steve LaMotte. 

NextGen Membership Co-Chair chad@daviesimaging.com

Help HomeAid Orange County meet the goal of collecting 1 million diapers!