Developers’ trade group incorporating

A group of developers — several of whom are leading members of the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) — agreed May 20 to incorporate a new trade group for new urbanist developers. The National Town Builders Association (NTBA) will serve a purpose separate from CNU. As a 501(C)6 organization, the category for consolidating business interests, NTBA will be allowed to lobby on behalf of developers. Whereas the CNU is geared toward advocacy and education, NTBA will focus on helping town builders to overcome implementation obstacles and make a profit. Articles of incorporation will be drafted, a board of directors selected, bylaws written and an employment contract drawn up for the NTBA’s only staff member, NeilTakemoto. The organization is based in Washington, D.C. New Urban News reported in November, 1997, that the NTBA was being formed, but the recent meeting was a turning point in its genesis because developers and professionals in the industry committed to making the organization official. The founders stated that they want a noncompetitive relationship with CNU. The NTBA is unlikely to compete with the CNU for members, anyway, because the new organization’s fees are significantly higher. NTBA will charge $2,000 for its top tier members who get the most benefits, and $1,000 for basic members. The CNU’s dues are $150. CNU members will get $50 off of their NTBA dues, Takemoto explains. Davis endorsement Robert Davis, the developer of Seaside and chair of the CNU Board of Directors, was present at the meeting and expressed support for NTBA. At the start of the meeting, Davis was skeptical of the need for NTBA, in light of the CNU having recently formed a Developers Task Force. After three hours of discussions, Davis commented “I finally ‘get’ [the need for NTBA] and am fully on board with this organization.” Joe Alfandre, the original Kentlands developer, and TND Fund manager Robert Chapman cochaired the meeting. Andres Duany, a CNU founder and board member and one of the driving forces behind NTBA, also attended. Duany, a leading architect and town planner with Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, has acquired small shares in development partnerships such as Amelia Park in Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Prospect in Longmont, Colorado. The NTBA’s unofficial mission statement is as follows: “to evolve and distribute to its members the best and most useful practices for the implementation of Traditional Neighborhood Development in cities, suburbs and rural areas. These practices involve design, permitting, financing, engineering, production and marketing, and are defined by their ability to increase the residents’ quality of life while being commercially viable.” Founding members The group has 17 founding members. They are: Bob Clark, Carma Developers; Buff Chace/Doug Storrs, Cornish Associates; Clifford Leming, Lake Erie Land Company; David Tomes, Henderson Property; Joe Duckworth/Robert Davis/Chris Leinberger, the Arcadia Land Company; Tim Hernandez, Pulte Home Corp.; Trey Granger, Grangemoor; Andres Duany, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company; Bob Chapman, the TND Fund; David Mayfield, Mayfield Development; D.R. Bryan, Bryan Properties; Frank Starkey/Trey Starkey, The Longleaf Company; Jackie Benson, TND Marketing; Joe Alfandre, Traditional Neighborhood Designs; Sam Stowe, Pinsto Inc.; Steve Maun, Leyland Development Corp.; Tom DiGiovanni, Heritage Partners.