2025 Housing Summit

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Santa Maria Valley Housing Summit

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber, in partnership with the Home Builders Association of the Central Coast announces the 2025 Santa Maria Valley Housing Summit, scheduled to take place on March 27th from 4-6:30 p.m. at the Allan Hancock College Fine Arts Complex located at 800 S. College Dr.

This event is free and open to the public, but RSVP is required at this link.

Learn More & Register

Event Sponsors

Thank you to the following businesses for supporting the 2025 Santa Maria Valley Housing Summit:

Solomon Hills

RRM

Midland Pacific Homes

Hayward Lumber

UPC

Richards Ranch

CCB

Santa Barbara Foundation

Brownstein

Event Program

Program Slides & Handouts

Opening Remarks
Suzanne Singh, VP of Economic Development & Government Affairs, Santa Maria Valley Chamber

Moderated Discussions By:
Lindy Hatcher
Executive Director of Home Builders Association of the Central Coast
Laurie Tamura
Principal of Urban Planning Concepts
Suzanne Singh
VP of Economic Development & Government Affairs, Santa Maria Valley Chamber

Discussion 1: Projects that are in the pipeline to be built
Chenin Dow
Community Development Director, City of Santa Maria

Discussion 2: Issues stalling housing projects from being built
Mark Schniepp
Director, California Economic Forecast
Chris Gullien
Attorney, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP

Discussion 3: Solutions to assist with building housing
Matt Bronson
City Manager, Grover Beach
Jeff Pemstein
Western Region Governmental Advocate, National Association of Home Builders

Closing Remarks
Suzanne Singh, VP of Economic Development & Government Affairs,
Santa Maria Valley Chamber

Happy Hour & Networking to follow program

Featured Speakers

Presented by: Community Bank of Santa Maria

Chenin Dow
Community Development Director, City of Santa Maria

Chenin Dow is a seasoned public sector leader with over 17 years of experience in municipal governance and community development. She currently serves as the Community Development Director for the City of Santa Maria, where she oversees planning, economic development, housing, code enforcement, and community programs to drive sustainable growth and revitalization efforts.

Mark Schniepp
Director, California Economic Forecast

Mark Schniepp is currently Director of the California Economic Forecast in Santa Barbara. The Company prepares forecasts and economic commentary on the regional economies of California. He prepares economic analysis and county level forecasts for Cal Trans, Kaiser Permanente, the California Association of Realtors, and the Southern California Association of Governments.

Chris Guillen
Lawyer, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

Chris Guillen is a lawyer with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and acts as an advisor on complex projects as they relate to natural resources issues. His expertise spans the intersection of land use and water law, with an emphasis in the on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), housing law, and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). Chris advises landowners, developers, agricultural interests and energy companies on land use permitting requirements and environmental review under CEQA during all phases of project development and litigation.

Matt Bronson
City Manager, City of Grover Beach

Matt Bronson serves as City Manager for the City of Grover Beach and was appointed by the Grover Beach City Council in May 2016. Bronson oversees the day-to-day operations for the City organization with a total budget of $35 million and a workforce of approximately 80 employees. Bronson has 25 years of local government experience working for cities and counties in California and North Carolina.

Jeff Pemstein
Western Region Governmental Advocate, National Association of Home Builders

Jeff Pemstein is currently the Western Region Governmental Advocate for the National Association of Home Builders and has over 38 years of professional leadership experience in home building, land development, entitlements, environmental permitting, home building, and construction. Serving as the former Division President for Towne Development/Homes by Towne - Sacramento Division (a Zilber Brand) for over 21 years (2003 to 2024), Jeff oversaw the growth of the operation into four business lines in both California and Nevada.

Moderators

Lindy Hatcher
Executive Director, Home Builders Association of the Central Coast

Lindy Hatcher is a seasoned nonprofit executive for the past 13 years, and nearly six years as Executive Director of the Home Builders Association of the Central Coast. In this role, she collaborates with board, members, committees, staff, and key partners to advocate for and facilitate the development of quality housing and vibrant communities along California’s Central Coast.

Laurie Tamura
Principal, Urban Planning Concepts

Laurie Tamura is Principal of Urban Planning Concepts. With over 34 years of shaping the future of urban and rural landscapes, Laurie Tamura has steered UPC since 1989 with a visionary approach to land use planning. Her profound expertise in the Subdivision Map Act, State Planning and Zoning Laws, and CEQA, combined with her strategic leadership, has propelled UPC to become a beacon of excellence in land use consulting. Laurie's engagement with civic organizations and her active role in community planning underscores her commitment to sustainable development and community enrichment.

Suzanne Singh
VP of Economic Development & Government Affairs

Suzanne Singh has provided leadership for the Chamber’s Economic Development Commission since January 2017. She previously served as CEO & President for the Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce, where she successfully re-built & created a thriving organization by concentrating on attraction, retention, and support for the community and the businesses within the region. Through the Economic Development Commission, Singh provides support for the businesses already in Santa Maria, while also promoting Santa Maria as a premier location for new businesses.