Description

Remodelers Council – February Meeting

Council Chair: Sean Heins, Spruce Properties

We’re excited to continue the relaunch of the Remodelers Council, created at the request of our members to provide a dedicated space for builders and remodelers working in vertical construction. This council is separate from the Developer Council, which focuses on horizontal construction.

The Remodelers Council is designed to bring professionals together to:

• Share jurisdictional and code updates impacting vertical construction

• Discuss challenges unique to remodeling and infill projects

• Exchange insights, best practices, and problem-solving strategies

• Learn from experts through targeted educational presentations

February Guest Speaker

Stephen Hoskins

Stephen Hoskins is an urban economist and housing policy expert with international experience in housing, transportation, and environmental policy. His work has included consulting on municipal policy in New Zealand, researching retirement economics in Singapore, and earning a master’s degree in spatial economics from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Now based on Bainbridge Island, Stephen has spent the last 15 years focused on one core question: why housing affordability is so broken, the social impacts that result, and how policy can help fix it.

Stephen currently works with the Progress & Poverty Institute, advising local governments on housing and tax policies that support inclusive, affordable, and thriving communities.

You can read his article in the Substack here: Bainbridge Island Gets a Babysitter 

Topics for This Session

• Bainbridge Island’s placement under HAA Selected Review — a summary and implications for builders and remodelers

• The state of housing politics on Bainbridge Island, including the Comprehensive Plan update, from a pro-housing perspective

• The Universal Building Exemption, a proposed revenue-neutral property tax policy that reduces taxes on buildings while shifting value to land, enabled by the forthcoming Vibrant Cities Act

This meeting will provide valuable insight into how state policy, local planning decisions, and emerging housing reforms may impact remodeling and vertical construction projects across our region.

We look forward to welcoming members back to a revitalized Remodelers Council and continuing meaningful conversations that support our industry.