News Archive, 2007
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Fire chief pitches new fees
Beaufort Gazette, SC – December 29, 2007
Beaufort Fire Department Chief Wendall Wilburn is floating the idea of collecting fire impact fees in Beaufort and Port Royal. The chief gave the Port Royal Town Council, which contracts with the department, a briefing on municipal fire impact fees at its Dec. 12 meeting and …
Council considers traffic impact fee New ordinance would affect all development
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH – December 27, 2007
The Town Council is weeks away from approving a “Road Impact Fee Ordinance” to help pay for improvements to town streets, roads and intersections that will be necessary when two new “big box” stores open and other development projects come on line. The ordinance …
Impact fee of any percentage times zero still equals no roads
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL – December 27, 2007
Aiden Magee’s Community Voices diatribe about impact fees is so far off base, it is comical. Clearly, Magee does not know enough of the details to have a truly informed opinion about impact fees, road building and more. He would have readers believe that Volusia …
Curious about-face on impact fees
The Virginian-Pilot, VA – December 27, 2007
For years, POPULAR proposals to assess impact fees on new homes were met at the state Capitol by the caterwauls of developers warning that all but the wealthiest Virginians would be left to to huddle in cardboard boxes for warmth. Now comes word that the …
Impact fees rise less than expected in Pasco
St. Petersburg Times, FL – December 26, 2007
The Pasco school district’s request to increase impact fees on new homes could be less costly than originally projected. A committee convened in November to review the charge on development determined that while the fee must rise to help the district cope …
City may seek bigger role over impact fees
Venice Gondolier, FL – December 26, 2007
The city of Venice may question the county’s plan for citizen input into two new impact fees. In a letter dated Dec. 10 County Commissioner Nora Patterson announced it established a Capital Projects Council to maximize participant input into the …
Cape’s impact fee money lower than expected
The News-Press, FL – December 24, 2007
Even though Cape Coral officials budgeted for less impact fee money this year, a virtual standstill in residential construction may leave city officials with less than they expected. In the fiscal year which closed on Sept. 30, the city collected less in impact fees than it has …
North Port hopes to revive industry with lower impact fees
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – December 24, 2007
It has been a rough and tumble year between the city and builders. Over the protests of builders, North Port increased impact fees to record levels, only to see the bottom drop out of the region’s building and real estate industries. Now the city is taking some of the …
Housing slump may ax millions for schools
Orlando Sentinel, FL – December 23, 2007
Central Florida’s anemic housing market has produced another financial casualty. School-impact-fee collections from new homes are plummeting, which has administrators in some districts predicting they’ll end up with millions less than what they originally …
Top 10: Putnam County begins to collect impact fees
Palatka Daily News, FL – December 22, 2007
After nearly a month’s delay to debate fine points and exceptions, Putnam County began assessing impact fees on new construction in March. The implementation of the fees was voted the No. 6 story of 2007 by the staff of the Palatka Daily News. The fees, developed …
Fees increased to pay for effects of development
Grand Junction Sentinel, CO – December 22, 2007
The Grand Junction City Council bumped up the fees developers of homes and businesses pay for roads but not without first suggesting the system that charges the fees is in need of an overhaul. Council members approved a 60 percent hike in the fee for new homes …
$1 million in impact fee refunds possible
Florida Times-Union, FL – December 22, 2007
Nassau County government owes somebody more than $1 million in impact fees – which builders pay when they construct homes or commercial buildings in the county – and Clerk of Courts John Crawford says homeowners paid those fees through higher …
Manatee impact fees on hold under plan
Bradenton Herald, FL – December 22, 2007
In the scheme of things, a 1 percent increase to impact fees on a $200,000 new home isn’t a lot of money to developers, especially considering they pass those fees to homebuyers. But in sluggish times, every little bit helps. That’s why there’s plenty of support …
City Orders Impact Fee Study On New Data
Tampa Tribune, FL – December 22, 2007
The city is considering increasing for the first time in 18 years the fees it charges on new construction to offset the ballooning cost of roads. The Tampa City Council voted Thursday to spend $220,000 on a six-month study to look at transportation impact fees and …
Builders propose impact fee, new tax for homes’ services
The Virginian-Pilot, VA – December 22, 2007
A move is afoot in Virginia’s development industry to push for a fundamental change in the way home builders help foot the cost of providing municipal services to the residents of their new subdivisions. Currently, developers offer cash payments and …
School Consultant Recommends Impact Fee Hike
Tampa Tribune, FL – December 22, 2007
A (Hernando County) school board consultant is recommending the school impact fee per single-family home be raised from $4,266 to $10,000 to cover new school construction – an increase of about 134 percent. School board officials will discuss the recommendation …
Judge: Former county officials can work on impact fee lawsuit
Annapolis Capital, MD – December 22, 2007
Two former county officials may continue their work on a multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit against the county, a local judge ruled. Circuit Court Judge Paul F. Harris Jr. denied an injunction Tuesday afternoon by the county Ethics Commission to stop former …
Manatee delays scheduled rise in impact fees
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – December 21, 2007
County Administrator Ed Hunzeker has canceled a 1.03 percent increase in impact fees planned for next month, providing a modest break in expenses for builders hard hit by the region’s housing bust. The fee increase, which had been scheduled to go into effect Jan. …
Impact fees for new housing in Anne Arundel could go up
Examiner.com – December 21, 2007
The Anne Arundel County Planning Advisory Board wants the county to raise its impact fees to meet the rising costs of construction. “After you get over the initial shock and see how little those numbers have gone up over the years, [raising the fees] is a logiical …
Fees increased to pay for effects of development
Grand Junction Sentinel, CO – December 21, 2007
The Grand Junction City Council bumped up the fees developers of homes and businesses pay for roads but not without first suggesting the system that charges the fees is in need of an overhaul. Council members approved a 60 percent hike in the fee for new homes …
Sparks Fly as Result of $2200 School Impact Fee Increase
The Ledger, FL – December 20, 2007
After a contentious four-hour meeting that included name-calling and accusations hurled from both sides of the school impact fee issue, the Lake County commissioners settled on a compromise and raised the fee by $2,200 rather than the more than $14,000 the …
Road impact fee hike delayed
Bradenton Herald, FL – December 20, 2007
With a drastic decline in the number of building permits issued this year, the Sarasota County Commission on Wednesday voted to postpone an additional 32 percent increase in road impact fees scheduled to begin in June. “We are at the lowest permit levels …
Cary Looks at Boosting New-Home Inpact Fees
WRAL.com, NC – December 20, 2007
New homes help build a strong economy in Cary, but the town’s new mayor says the fee that builders pay on each home will not be set in stone. “There’s cost associated with all growth, and if it’s not picked up by the developer, it will be picked up by taxpayers,” …
Hurricane council to consider reduction of impact fee
St. George Daily Spectrum, UT – December 20, 2007
The Hurricane City Council will consider lowering an impact fee at the regular meeting tonight. The parks impact fee, which was increased earlier this year, may be lowered if the ordinance passes. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers, 147 North …
Martin County School Board approves lower increase in impact fees
Stuart News (subscription), FL – December 19, 2007
The cost of building a home in Martin County could be going up, but not as much as a previous proposal..On Tuesday, the Martin County School Board voted 4-1 to approve a proposal that raises school impact fees on new houses by about 22.5 percent, but lowered …
St. Lucie County may waive impact fees for new businesses
Fort Pierce Tribune (subscription), FL – December 19, 2007
To bring businesses into the county, government officials must be prepared to give something back. That’s the theory behind a new program that waives impact fees for certain businesses that agree to create a set number of jobs at certain salaries, among …
Judge to decide on North Port fee
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – December 19, 2007
A judge will soon decide whether developers can sue to stop a fee they have not yet had to pay after North Port and companies building on the large Thomas Ranch faced off in court Tuesday. Judge Robert Bennett will rule on North Port’s request to throw out the…
Westfield hikes park impact fees adopts, master plan
Noblesville Daily Times, IN – December 19, 2007
The town council Monday voted unanimously to raise its park impact fee from $875 a rooftop to $930 a rooftop, a 6-percent increase. Westfield officials will use park impact fee dollars to pay for future park needs to serve new residents. Park projects include …
School impact fee collections show drop in 2007
Marconews (subscription), FL – December 17, 2007
As building permits trickle out, school funding trickles in. The impact fee spending plan Lee County commissioners will receive from the school board Tuesday shows school impact fee collections dropping by more than $23 million in 2007. The $33.2 million the schools …
Home builders again argue against Osceola school impact fees.
Orlando Sentinel, FL – December 16, 2007
The Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando has cast doubt on impact-fee numbers submitted to the county by the Osceola school district. In documents shared with school staff, a consultant hired by the group said the district used old data and overestimated …
Editorial: Indian River schools leave money on table, but …
TCPalm, FL – December 16, 2007
Rejecting a recommended increase in impact fees was a noble gesture by the Indian River County School District, but this election-campaign conversion to “fiscal restraint” doesn’t jibe with the board’s spending habits. So beware, taxpayers. In memos to county …
Lake County erred on impact-fee decision for schools
Orlando Sentinel, FL – December 16, 2007
I am disappointed in the decision of two of our county commissioners to disregard the cost to the school district for borrowing money to build new schools needed because of growth. Both Brevard and Palm Beach counties have included those fees in the past. Why …
North Port fee heading to court
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – December 15, 2007
The city goes before a judge for the first time next week to defend its construction traffic road fee, a unique charge that has drawn ire from developers and a national conservative watchdog group. The fee, imposed by the city in May, is the target of three lawsuits …
State’s High Court denies city’s petition
Herald Zeitung, TX – December 15, 2007
The City of New Braunfels will have to go back to the drawing board if it wants to collect fees from property owners and developers whose projects impact the city’s drainage system. The Texas Supreme Court on Friday declined to review an appeals court …
Eagle Valley Library considers impact fee
Vail Daily News, CO – December 14, 2007
After the public voted down a request to fund a multi-million dollar expansion and upgrades to local libraries last year, the Eagle Valley Library District has come up with a new plan that may meet its most urgent needs. The library district is approaching local towns …
Frederick Impact Fees May Go Up
WTOP, DC – – December 14, 2007
Frederick’s mayor and Board of Aldermen on Wednesday discussed a plan to nearly double the fees builders have to pay for new development. The impact fees cover the costs of hooking up water, sewer and other public infrastructure to new buildings. For …
Developers ask for extension despite lawsuit against city
Lathrop-Manteca Sun Post, CA – December 14, 2007
As developers push ahead with a lawsuit against the city (of Manteca), council members may try to bring an early end to the legal battle by holding out on some developers’ requests. Three developers that sued the city in August over fees on new housing projects …
Impact fees will go up — but not as much as before
Vero Beach Press-Journal (subscription), FL – December 13, 2007
The Martin County School Board could decide next week what to do about school impact fees. On Wednesday, the School Board conducted a six-hour workshop on impact fees and the costs of school construction. Next Tuesday, the board could choose …
Overview of impact fees
Today’s News-Herald, AZ – December 13, 2007
To builders and developers, it is a burdensome tax that discourages growth. To cities struggling to maintain services and infrastructure as populations swell, it represents a critical tool for generating revenue. But with impact fees now officially on the (Havasu) City Council’s …
Consultant tells Martin County School Board $23 million for proposed school
Stuart News, FL – December 13, 2007
A consultant told the Martin County School Board that the estimated $23 million it’s paying to build a new school in western Palm City appears reasonable. At a workshop Wednesday about construction costs and impact fees, Praveen Ommi, with a Miami-based …
School Board that the 32-percent increase in the school impact fee ,,,
Orlando Sentinel, FL – December 13, 2007
Lake County school officials expressed dismay Wednesday at county commissioners’ late-night decision to raise school-impact fees by 32 percent, less than a third of what the district sought. Tuesday night’s decision could force the School Board to impose double …
City impact fees may go up
Frederick News Post, MD – December 13, 2007
Frederick’s mayor and Board of Aldermen on Wednesday discussed a plan to nearly double the fees builders have to pay for new development. The impact fees cover the costs of hooking up water, sewer and other public infrastructure to new buildings. For …
Rome attorney wins impact fee battle
Rome News-Tribune, GA – December 13, 2007
Rome attorney Andy Davis successfully fought a challenge to a Newton County impact fee ordinance this week. The county can now use the fees imposed on new construction for recreation and parks, library and transportation projects. It was a prolonged battle. …
Supervisors OK impact fee plan
Daily Democrat, CA – December 13, 2007
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday a proposed development impact fee agreement with its cities, bringing it one step closer to securing a vital source of funding. Since 1991, the county has collected development fees from its cities in …
State attorney general rules again on development tax
Murfreesboro Post, TN – December 13, 2007
Rutherford County can’t increase the development tax to fund new schools, according to Tennessee’s Attorney General. “Your request suggests amending these provisions to authorize planning commissions to require developers seeking approval of subdivision …
Supervisors OK impact fee plan
Daily Democrat, CA – December 13, 2007
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved Tuesday a proposed development impact fee agreement with its cities, bringing it one step closer to securing a vital source of funding. Since 1991, the county has collected development fees from its cities in order …
School-impact fee discussion brings an overflow crowd to Lake County
Orlando Sentinel, FL – December 12, 2007
A standing-room crowd spilled from the County Commission chambers into the rotunda of the round courthouse where 100 seats — “All I could find,” maintenance supervisor David Walker said — were set up to let the overflow watch the fiercely divided debate Tuesday …
Judge Guts Suit Against Impact Fees
The Ledger, FL – December 12, 2007
A judge has dismissed a major portion of a lawsuit by the Polk County Builders Association that contended an $8,596 impact fee for Polk schools was unjustified. The builders wanted the fee on new homes reduced by $5,757 – the amount the group said was devoted to …
Cost of Bozeman impact fees decided
KPAX-TV, MT – December 12, 2007
Members of the Bozeman City Commission talked about transportation impact fees for the city during a Monday night meeting. They approved a road impact fee increase on new homes built in Bozeman, but at only 60% of the original proposal. Single family homeowners …
Town council considers fee for new parkland
Noblesville Daily Times, IN – December 11, 2007
Developers would pay more money per household to fund new parkland in Westfield under a proposal from the parks department. Town council members are considering a fee of $930 per household to fund future parkland development. The current fee is $875 per …
Council to amend meter tap impact fees
News Courier, AL – – December 11, 2007
The Athens City Council Monday amended an ordinance on meter tap impact fees after a group of property owners objected to being charged impact fees for reconnecting a meter. Water/Wastewater Department Manager John Stockton said that when the council …
Bluffton council to be asked to adopt school impact fee
Hilton Head Island Packet, SC – December 11, 2007
The Bluffton Town Council will meet today to discuss, among other things, a proposed $6,000 per unit developer fee to benefit Beaufort County schools. County schools superintendent Valerie Truesdale is scheduled to speak to the council about the fee, which would …
Are developer fees the answer to school funding woes?
Hilton Head Island Packet, SC – December 11, 2007
The Beaufort County School Board has some ideas for keeping taxes in check while increasing revenue to public schools — ideas Bluffton Town Council seemed to like Tuesday night. The council signed off on a measure that, if passed into law, would impose a $6,000 per …
Democratic chairman calls for impact fees
BlueRidgeNow.com, NC – December 10, 2007
The chairman for the Henderson County Democratic Party pressed the county commissioners to institute impact fees. Doug Freeman said developers need to pay for some of the costs associated with development. He said the commissioners and Henderson County …
Legislators hope to fix impact-fee ‘glitch’
The Casper Star Tribune, WY – December 10, 2007
A legislative glitch is prohibiting communities from receiving impact fees associated with large-scale industrial projects, although officials are optimistic the situation will be remedied during the upcoming budget session. Todd Parfitt, administrator of the Department …
City to consider eliminating road impact fees
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – December 10, 2007
With a proposal to eliminate road impact fees still on the table from a previous meeting, the Bozeman City Commission will take up the issue again tonight. Bozeman’s road impact fee plan, charged on new construction, would nearly double the fees paid by a new …
Lake County commissioners could vote to double school impact fees
Orlando Sentinel, FL – December 9, 2007
Lake County commissioners may vote to increase school impact fees at a special hearing on Tuesday. School Board members have asked the county to more than double the rates set in 2004. The new rates, if passed, would be the second-highest school impact fee …
Cary’s Mayor-Elect Has Golden Rule For New Development
WRAL.COM, NC – December 8, 2007
Slowing the pace of growth is a top priority for some Triangle leaders. Raleigh’s mayor wants to double impact fees on new construction. Durham’s mayor is putting new subdivisions on hold because of a dwindling water supply. Cary’s mayor-elect, Harold Weinbrecht, …
Henry column: County takes bold, risky move for roads
Bakersfield Californian, CA – December 8, 2007
I opened the paper on Wednesday and could hardly believe my eyes — Kern County supervisors actually voted to make developers pay their fair share for roads. Damn the politics, full speed ahead! It was a masterful stroke that linked two key pieces of the roads …
Cities around county unhappy with commission action
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – December 7, 2007
The recent decision by Gallatin County commissioners to impose transportation impact fees only on residential development, while letting commercial developments off the hook, continues to generate heated opposition. Officials from each of the county’s …
Kaneland fees upset Realtors
Chicago Daily Herald, IL – December 7, 2007
Several Realtor groups are asking the Kaneland School District to repeal its impact fee system, saying it unfairly taxes new homeowners. The fee system goes against Illinois law that states new development should only pay for the impact created by that …
Town behind in repayments
The Coloradoan, CO – December 7, 2007
Fear that the town of Windsor has fallen too far behind in making repayments to developers required to pay fees for road improvements was at the heart of a spirited Town Board discussion this week. The town began a road impact fee program in 2001 that required …
Building costs in Cicero may rise
– December 7, 2007
Starting this summer, home builders in Cicero may pay the town an additional $920 so parks and recreation facilities can be developed. Chuck Lehman, of the landscape architecture and planning firm Lehman and Lehman, presented study findings on the suggested …
The impact of fees
Missoula Independent, MT – December 6, 2007
After months of quiet consideration, the Missoula City Council’s Administration and Finance Committee has recently made proposed transportation impact fees on all new construction a priority agenda item. Impact fees are construction taxes cities assess to cover …
Road impact fee vote delayed until 2008
Florida Times-Union, FL – December 6, 2007
A planned Dec. 11 Clay County Commission vote on a proposed road impact fee has been postponed, likely until early 2008. At a commission workshop on the proposal Tuesday, Commission Chairman George Bush said more study and public input was warranted, …
City begins impact fee process for roads
Eastern Arizona Courier, AZ – December 6, 2007
When new developments greatly increase the population of a municipality, who pays for the infrastructure to accommodate it? Several Arizona cities and towns have enacted impact fees to assist handling growth. Safford has impact fees for water and sewer …
Measure 49 takes effect today
Corvallis Gazette Times, OR – December 6, 2007
Charlie Fischer thought he’d figured a way to pay the $5,000 monthly nursing home bills for his ailing wife by developing his 33-acre orchard north of Corvallis into the Cherry Farm subdivision. Now, after plowing $63,000 into survey work, petitioning the county and state for …
A changed council gets busy
News & Observer, NC – December 5, 2007
A revamped Raleigh City Council met for the first time Tuesday and vowed to quickly address growth and tax issues raised by voters during this fall’s campaign. After welcoming new members Nancy McFarlane, Rodger Koopman and Mary-Ann Baldwin, Mayor Charles …
GUEST COLUMN: The impact of impact fees in Chester County
Chester News, SC – December 5, 2007
What are impact fees? When are they appropriate? Based on the recent N&R article, “County looks at impact fees” (Nov. 28, 2007), I would like to take a moment to answer these two questions based on my professional commercial and residential real estate experience …
Camden County adopts road impact fees
Westside Star, MO – December 5, 2007
Commissioners have signed off on a new regulation that implements impact fees for roads. The new fee system will replace a road bond ordinance that was instituted in the county last year. The new system is based on square footage. The fee was based on a study …
Glendale mulls impact fee
Cincinnatti Enquirer, OH – December 5, 2007
It’s no coincidence that Glendale Village Council is considering charging a new fee for development, before a piece of real estate changes hands and becomes home to a 1,500-unit retirement community. The village could collect at least $1.4 million if the …
Realtors oppose new Kaneland fee plan
Aurora Beacon News, IL – December 4, 2007
Three area Realtor associations are challenging the legality of the Kaneland School District’s intergovernmental agreement establishing “school impact payments” applied on housing developments of future annexations. School Superintendent Charles McCormick …
Raleigh City Council Set to Tackle Infill, Impact Fees
WRAL.com, NC – December 4, 2007
Mayor Charles Meeker on Thursday called for higher impact fees for new development, year-round water conservation measures and improved transit services across Raleigh. In addition to outlining his priorities for his fourth term in office, Meeker also expressed …
County to make developers pay more
Annapolis Capital, MD – December 2, 2007
A new report finds the fees Anne Arundel charges developers are among the lowest in the state and are woefully inadequate to cover development’s true impact on the county’s roads and schools. While the fees are likely to go up in the coming months as the County …
Myword writer worries that policy ideas, not facts entering impact fee proposals
Orlando Sentinel, FL – December 2, 2007
Regarding the impact fees proposed by the Lake County School Board and the article appearing in the Nov. 21 Lake section of the Orlando Sentinel, I’d like to offer the following opinions/insights: Growth should pay for any additional impact it has on our infrastructure …
City begins impact fee process for roads
Eastern Arizona Courier, AZ – December 2, 2007
When new developments greatly increase the population of a municipality, who pays for the infrastructure to accommodate it? Several Arizona cities and towns have enacted impact fees to assist handling growth. Safford has impact fees for water and sewer …
Meeker announces plans for city
abc11tv.com, NC – December 1, 2007
Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker unveiled his top three agenda items Thursday — the first initiatives for the new city council to tackle. Those initiatives include permanent year-round water restrictions and higher impact fees for builders. Every time a new home goes …
Plano weighs end to impact fees it charges homebuilders
Dallas Morning News, TX – November 30, 2007
In another sign the brisk residential growth that once defined Plano has slowed, the city may soon end its practice of charging impact fees to homebuilders. The city established the one-time fees in 1990 to help pay for new water and sewer lines in undeveloped …
Ketchum boosts hotel impact fees
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, ID – November 30, 2007
Processing the hotel applications arriving at Ketchum City Hall is costing money and time, but the city is continuing to search for new ways to pay for it. At its Monday, Nov. 19, meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to implement additional fees the city will …
City officials don’t greet proposed impact fees warmly
Florida Times-Union, FL – November 30, 2007
A proposed impact fee on residential and business developers to fund road construction in Clay County has received a cool reception from Green Cove Springs officials. City Manager Don Bowles told the City Council at a meeting Nov. 20 that he had “no opinion …
Vote on impact fees is deferred
Richmond Times Dispatch, VA – November 29, 2007
Again last night, Chesterfield County’s mostly lame-duck Board of Supervisors decided to leave a significant issue on the table so it can be decided by the incoming board. Four new supervisors will begin terms on the five-member board in January, and the decision …
Letter: Eliminating two projects would reduce proposed impact fees
Vero Beach Press-Journal, FL – November 29, 2007
The residents of Martin County are very fortunate to have a school system with all “A” ratings. We are blessed to have a first-rate School Board, a first-rate school administration headed by Superintendent Sara Wilcox, and last, but certainly not least, our …
No action likely tonight on Chesterfield’s impact fee
Richmond Times Dispatch, VA – November 28, 2007
Chesterfield County’s Board of Supervisors tonight will hold a public hearing on a plan to charge a $5,820 per-lot fee on certain unbuilt residential lots to help pay for needed county roads. As many as 9,000 lots could be eligible for that charge. “I don’t think the …
Supervisors: Fix ‘impact fees’
Charlottesville Daily Progress, VA – November 28, 2007
Last year, Central Virginia localities had one top priority for their representatives in Richmond: a fairer way to pay for growth. Known as “impact fees,” localities, including Albemarle County, have argued that the best way to pay for growth – such as new roads and …
City, county at odds over road impact fees
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – November 28, 2007
Without cooperation from Gallatin County, the Bozeman City Commission says a proposal to increase city road-impact fees will encourage businesses to set up shop outside of town, increasing rural sprawl and the carbon footprint. County commissioners …
County looks at impact fees
Chester News, SC – November 28, 2007
Chester County Council is going to start looking at impact fees to help offset the costs of some developments in the future. The council first brought the matter up at a council meeting Nov. 5. Councilman Joe Branham brought it up at the request of …
Report Finds ‘No Fatal Flaw’ in Bainbridge School Impact Fees
Kitsap Sun (Subscription), WA – November 27, 2007
While a new report reveals there is “no fatal flaw” in the way the city of Bainbridge Island collects impact fees from home builders for school-expansion projects, it does make a call for more public review and better documentation. On Bainbridge, impact fees collected …
Camden adopts road fees
Lake Sun Leader, MO – November 27, 2007
Commissioners have signed off on a new regulation that implements impact fees for roads. The new fee system will replace a road bond ordinance that was instituted in the county last year. The new system is based on square footage. The fee was based on a study …
GWA proposes extra cost for new water, sewer lines
Pacific Daily News, GU – November 27, 2007
The cost of getting water and sewer line connections to a new home could increase by $8,000 and by $1 million for a new hotel, based on preliminary figures the Guam Waterworks Authority presented last night to the Consolidated Commission on Utilities to consider. …
New Raleigh Council Could Mean Higher Impact Fees
WRAL.com, NC – November 26, 2007
Mayor Charles Meeker said Raleigh’s new City Council could help him double the fees that developers pay to build homes, which would generate money the city could use to deal with growth. The city raised its impact fees in April 2006 to about $1,200 for each new …
Impact fees for schools must match true costs
St. Petersburg Times, FL – November 25, 2007
Should Pasco’s county government or school district pay for road improvements near new schools? Should the responsible party foot the bill for traffic changes within a quarter-mile of the school? One-eighth mile? Is a new lane of road needed for access management …
A season for giving
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – November 25, 2007
As the building slowdown leaves local contractors looking for work, area governments are seeing more competitive bids for capital improvement and public works projects. While aggressive solicitation for government contracts could save taxpayers millions, in most …
Lake County panel will examine how to pay for road improvements
Orlando Sentinel, FL – November 25, 2007
Lake County commissioners have appointed fresh eyes to take a look at an old but growing problem. The task force that will examine how to pay for new roads was conceived about three months ago after commissioners rejected a controversial proposal to increase …
Sunday’s Gwinnett Letters
Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA – November 25, 2007
Growth has defined Gwinnett County for decades, but a recent slowdown in our growth rate and the revenue it brings poses new challenges for the county, according to government leaders. Gwinnett County commissioners were told in a recent retreat that …
Volusia says no to impact fees
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL – November 24, 2007
When the topic is whether Volusia County charges adequate impact fees for new development, County Council members are willing to talk — but, for now, that’s about it. Citing concerns about the housing market and economy, several council members said this week …
Survey: Collier, Lee counties impact fees among state’s highest
Naples Daily News, FL – November 24, 2007
A national impact-fee survey has concluded Lee County has some of the highest fees in Florida. But the $15,673.18 in fees paid on every new single-family home built in Lee County seems a bargain compared to the $24,428 paid across the county line in Collier. In fact, …
Barre admits to ‘flawed’ water, sewer charges; votes to raise water rates
Barre Montpelier Times Argus, VT – November 22, 2007
A week after officials in Barre Town publicly accused their counterparts in the city of siphoning more money than was justified from the local water and sewer funds to cover municipal expenses, Mayor Thomas Lauzon acknowledged as much. Although Lauzon …
School Board near Orlando wants to raise impact fees
Orlando Sentinel, FL – November 21, 2007
Lake County commissioners gave no indication Tuesday about whether they will significantly raise school-impact fees for new homes. They didn’t say yes, but they didn’t say no when the School Board’s consultant, Randy Young, said the school district needs …
North Port legal costs may exceed $1 million
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – November 21, 2007
Faced with litigation over abandoned houses and a road repair fee, North Port could end up spending seven figures on legal services this year. The fiscal year just started on Oct. 1 and the city’s legal expense budget has already grown 44 percent, to almost $1 …
Jackson will pay for fee study
Online Athens, GA – November 21, 2007
The Jackson County Commission voted to spend up to $69,000 next year to investigate whether the county government should charge impact fees on future development to help pay for infrastructure. Commissioners agreed Monday to hire Ross & Associates, …
Rising Use of ‘Impact’ Fees
Wall Street Journal – November 21, 2007
When Jonette Banzon and her husband, Muhammed Ahmad, sought to build a home in Elk Grove, Calif., outside Sacramento in 2004, the city made a surprising demand: To get a building permit for the approximately $500,000 home, the couple needed to pay $240,357 …
10 people to tackle thorny fees
St. Petersburg Times, FL – November 20, 2007
(Pasco) County and school district officials Monday named the members of the 10-person committee that will recommend how much school impact fees should go up. The fees, a tax on new construction, are part of the biggest standoff between the two …
New Council digs in
The News-Press, FL – November 20, 2007
For the first time since Cape Coral incorporated, five freshmen council members were sworn into office Monday, and they quickly got to work. Among other action, the new council: Voted against reducing utility impact fees by roughly $2,200 per home for two areas …
Lake Wales Property Gets Break On Impact Fees
The Ledger, FL – November 20, 2007
A nearly square-mile area around downtown Lake Wales will get an edge in redevelopment plans after the County Commission agreed Tuesday to give the property a break on most city and county impact fees. The vote was unanimous. City Manager Tony …
City loses fight with NM couple
McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX – November 20, 2007
The city of McKinney lost a five-year battle against a New Mexico couple who sued the city for how it spent impact fees to develop a road adjacent to land the couple owned north of State Highway 5. Roger and Jennifer Sefzik sold 15 acres to a developer …
MPO schedules public meeting on transportation impact fees
Tampa Bay Newspapers, FL – November 20, 2007
The Pinellas County Metropolitan Planning Organization agreed on Nov. 14 to take up the proposal to increase the transportation impact fee for Pinellas County. At the November meeting, the MPO re-reviewed the situation and concluded the proposal should be …
Builders: Time to improvise
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – November 19, 2007
Slowdown in home construction forces contractors to look into other ways to pay the bills . . we have to be flexible in these times. If someone calls and needs help getting their garage cleaned out, we have to be ready to do it.” — Bill Truex, Englewood contractor. …
Council may end fees for builders
Arkansas Leader, AR – November 19, 2007
The impact fees on new construction that the Cabot City Council put in place in November 2006 are scheduled to almost double this month, but the council that is now made up of mostly new members is considering either halting the collection of the fees temporarily …
Plan puts Clay County road costs on builders
Florida Times-Union, FL – November 18, 2007
Builders may soon have to pay a fee to help thin out Clay County’s ever-increasing traffic. County officials estimate a proposed transportation impact fee could generate nearly $315 million over the next 25 years. The fees would range between $2,442 and $5,362 …
What will the impact be for you?
Stuart News (subscription), FL – November 18, 2007
Uncertainty about property taxes, growth and the economy prompted Martin County officials to rethink a proposal to dramatically raise the impact fees imposed on new development to help pay for the government facilities needed to handle the growth. The latest …
An impact fee on new dwellings would aid schools
PensacolaNewsJournal.com, FL – November 18, 2007
My days of having school-age children are over, but I have seven grandchildren to worry about. How many of us are really worried about where our school system is going? We are still experiencing growth, not just in Santa Rosa County, but in most Northwest …
Plan for impact fees could save residents thousands
The News-Press, FL – November 18, 2007
At the (Cape Coral) city council meeting on Nov. 19, I will be sponsoring an ordinance that will cut the impact fee for water, sewer, and irrigation utilities by over $2,400. The impetus behind this proposal takes numerous forms. For instance, the impact fee, …
State’s High Court weighs stormwater appeal
Herald Zeitung, TX – November 18, 2007
The City of New Braunfels has asked the Texas Supreme Court to decide the fate of its stormwater connection fee. Attorneys for the city have filed with the state’s highest court to overturn an appeals court decision that labeled the city’s drainage impact fee invalid …
School-impact-fee hearing is set
Orlando Sentinel, FL – November 17, 2007
Lake County commissioners will hold a public hearing about changes to school impact fees on Dec. 11. The School Board unanimously requested the changes earlier this year. At the hearing, commissioners plan to review data collected by county staff and …
Paying for progress
Twin Falls Times-News, ID – November 17, 2007
The results of a $44,500 study of whether impact fees are needed in Twin Falls are in, but officials said the findings aren’t endorsed by the city. The study, which is legally required before impact fees – costs for growth assessed to developers and builders – can even be …
Impact fees on the way
Montrose Daily Press, CO – November 17, 2007
With residential impact fees set to go into effect Jan. 1, commissioners now must decide at what phase to collect them. The Montrose County Commissioners will discuss and possibly decide at a Dec. 3 meeting whether to assess the fees at the subdivision …
Editorial: Impact fees
Naples Daily News, FL – November 17, 2007
With the Southwest Florida economy taking a pounding by the downturn in housing construction and sales, it is clear that this is not a time of business as usual. Collier County commissioners this past week demonstrated they understand that, agreeing to a $53 …
Residents irate over new fees
News Courier, AL – November 17, 2007
A city ordinance that was put on the books more than 20 years ago has stirred up a hornet’s nest and could lead to a lawsuit against the City of Athens. “It’s outright ridiculous if you ask me,” said Athens businessman Steve Bauer. “It’s costing me a lot of money …
Wake Forest Considering Fire Impact Fee
WRAL.com, NC – November 16, 2007
A study shows the town of Wake Forest will need to raise more than $11 million to keep pace with sky-rocketing growth. Town leaders said they are considering charging new home buyers an extra fee just for moving into Wake Forest. Wake Forest is a growing …
Troy panel oks lower fee than school board wants
Belleville News Democrat, IL – November 15, 2007
A Troy City Council committee has approved an impact fee based on house size, but it’s about one-quarter what the Triad school district originally proposed. The proposal will be sent to the school board. The proposal is contingent on St. Jacob and Marine also passing …
Impact fees the best alternative to ‘home tax’
Asheville Citizen-Times, NC – November 15, 2007
The Henderson County voters who helped defeat a land-transfer tax by a whopping 70-30 margin significantly increased the chances everybody in the county will be paying higher property taxes. It’s not as though they weren’t warned. News stories and the county’s …
Commission delays action on proposed impact fees
Florida Times-Union, FL – November 15, 2007
The Clay County Commission postponed action on a proposed transportation impact fee until Dec. 11, but held a public hearing Tuesday and will informally discuss the idea at a workshop next week. An ordinance that would impose the fees was on the …
Housing fee could slam Aspen Country Day
Aspen Daily News, CO – November 15, 2007
Aspen Country Day School might get slammed with $618,000 in employee housing impact fees for the renovation and expansion of its Castle Creek campus, under an amended Pitkin County law. Pitkin County commissioners on Wednesday passed on second …
Builders call for relief on local home- impact fees
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – November 15, 2007
Home builders are working to roll back or delay some Tucson-area impact fees to help the new-home industry weather its slump. The Southern Arizona Home Builders Association has been asking local governments to allow builders to postpone paying impact fees …
Contra Costa tax board decreases fees on wineries
Tri-Valley Herald, CA – November 15, 2007
A transportation taxing board has decided to decrease fees on East Contra Costa County wineries and olive oil producers — a move that could encourage growers to move their businesses to Contra Costa. The East Contra Costa Regional Fee and Financing Authority …
Cecil needs to tap other tax sources
Washington Observer Reporter, PA – November 15, 2007
Taxpayers have long lamented the burden of subsidizing their local municipalities and school districts. Officials in Cecil Township have come up with what seems like a reasonable way to tap other resources. With one large-scale hotel in place and a second on …
Barrow commissioners weigh impact fees
Online Athens (subscription), GA – November 15, 2007
A recently released report on impact fees has left many Barrow County commissioners with even more questions about how to adopt the fees. The report, prepared by Ross & Associates, an Atlanta-based consulting firm that focuses on long-term public planning …
School board oks new $354 impact fee
Mountain Mail Newspaper, CO – November 15, 2007
A one time $354 assessment via building permit applications for houses on vacant lots was approved by Salida school board members Tuesday. Superintendent John Rouse explained the in lieu of fee will operate through an intergovernmental agreement involving Salida …
Growth director steps down after sharp criticism
Orlando Sentinel, FL – November 14, 2007
Lake County’s director of Growth Management, whose department was sharply criticized for its pro-growth leanings and poor customer service this summer, resigned Tuesday. Carol Stricklin told her staff she was accepting a job on Florida’s west coast. Stricklin, who …
Utah needs to rethink charging impact fees to pay for schools
St. George Daily Spectrum, UT – November 14, 2007
The verdict is in and Utah does not support vouchers. The salient data supporting vouchers was purely fiscal: how do we pay for this tremendous influx of students? The argument was for privatizing a portion of our education system. The comeback was there would …
Charlotte lowers commercial fees
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – November 14, 2007
In an attempt to jolt the slumping local economy, the Charlotte County Commission rolled back commercial impact fees Tuesday to 1998 levels. Effective for one year, the reduction could save developers millions in building costs — and cost the county …
Planning Commission hears impact fees proposal
Anderson Independent Mail (subscription), SC – November 13, 2007
The Anderson County Planning Commission got a first look Tuesday at how much impact fees would cost residents and how the money would be used. Impact fees would be charged to new homes and developments as a way to help cover the cost of infrastructure …
Commission rejects plea to delay impact fee increases to help economy
Naples Daily News, FL – November 13, 2007
Rejecting pleas to help boost the local economy, Collier County leaders won’t delay impact fee increases scheduled to take effect in January. By a 3-2 vote Tuesday, Collier commissioners rejected a request from the business community that they delay increasing …
Library requests development fee increase
MyWebTimes.com, IL – November 13, 2007
Sheridan’s Robert W. Rowe Public Library District wants 75 percent more income from residential development fees. The district has a developmental agreement with the village. Whenever a new residential development is built, the library receives $100 per …
Minimal impact expected
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – November 12, 2007
Don’t expect a huge turn-around from a reduction in impact fees. It’s the feel-good hit of the year. Whether it’s actually good for you, or the economy, remains to be seen. Last month, the Charlotte County Commission voted to lower impact fees for residential properties …
Direct impact
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – November 12, 2007
Charging impact fees and covering infrastructure costs has proven to be a delicate balancing act for local governments in Florida, and results across the state have varied wildly. Your mere existence carries a specific price tag. It’s the price you pay to move …
Business leaders seek impact fee help to counteract slow housing market
Naples Daily News, FL – November 12, 2007
With the slump in the housing market showing no sign of ending, the Naples Area Chamber of Commerce will be asking county commissioners for help today. Commissioners will be asked during their meeting to delay increasing impact fees for about six months …
Impact fees will continue to finish library
The Coloradoan, CO – November 11, 2007
City Council members made the right decision, or perhaps nondecision, Wednesday in allowing an extension of the use of impact fees to help finish a southeast branch library. Library district officials told the council that the fee extension was necessary to help pay …
City park fund could get boost
Corpus Christi Caller Times, TX – November 11, 2007
The playground at McDonald’s has more amenities than the one in Esperanza Davila’s neighborhood park. When she and her niece Brianna Brown walk to South Bluff Park to play, she holds the 2-year-old in the big-kid swings carefully because the small playground …
Road impact fee to come under scrutiny on Tuesday
Florida Times-Union, FL – November 9, 2007
When Clay County commissioners consider imposing road impact fees at their meeting Tuesday, they will hear from a contingent of builders who strongly oppose the idea. A proposed ordinance calls for road impact fees on all new development, both residential and non- …
County to review traffic-impact fees
North County Times, CA – November 8, 2007
Two years after approving (San Diego) county’s first traffic-impact fees over protests, supervisors said Wednesday that they want the fees changed because the fears that it would harm commercial and industrial development appear to be coming true. Led by …
Impact fees for new developers weighed
MiamiHerald.com, FL – November 8, 2007
Anyone looking to build new developments in North Miami soon might have to pay to become part of the city. On Tuesday, the council held a workshop meeting to discuss new fees that could be imposed on North Miami newcomers. The city is considering charging …
Poplar Grove impact fees may rise
Rockford Register Star, IL – November 8, 2007
Village officials believe property values are going up. If that’s the case, they’re going to restructure village impact fees. Village President Roger Day said the board might authorize a study to determine a new land value in its impact fee ordinance. Boosting …
Council to extend fees to finish library
The Coloradoan, CO – November 8, 2007
City Council members said they would extend impact fees to finish construction of the over-budgeted southeast branch library. The fees are set to expire at the end of the year. The impact fee extension will continue until the end of the new library’s construction, …
Mesa says it’s too late to repeal ‘cultural’ fee for builders
East Valley Tribune, AZ – November 7, 2007
Mesa will argue in court that a legal challenge to the fees it charges developers to help build city museums and preserve archaeological finds is past the point it can be repealed. The Phoenix-based Goldwater Institute, representing the Home Builders Association …
P&Z votes to eliminate impact fee
McKinney Courier Gazette, TX – November 7, 2007
The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Monday to eliminate impact fees, hoping that the move will attract new construction to the area. The vote came at the request of the Plano City Council, which reviewed the matter last month. The …
Chatham voters reject tax
Chapel Hill News, NC – – November 7, 2007
Chatham County voters defeated the land-transfer tax referendum Tuesday in a contest that could preview one to come in Orange County. Earlier this year the state gave counties the choice of establishing a 0.4 percent land-transfer tax or increasing the local …
Despite proposed rate hikes, we have a good deal
Bossier Press-Tribune, LA – November 6, 2007
As last Tuesday’s City Council workshop concerning the results of a utility rate study demonstrated, it’s getting harder to keep up with the elements of Bossier City’s progressive and forward momentum these days. The workshop culminated months of evaluation …
Lee staff to propose cost-cutting moves
The News-Press, FL – November 6, 2007
Lee County staff today will give commissioners five recommend ways to control spending. Legislative demands and economic conditions have tightened the county budget. It may be reduced more next year, depending on whether voters pass an amendment …
Officials consider construction fee to pay for schools
Mail Tribune, OR – November 5, 2007
(Central Point) School District 6 officials are halfway toward imposing a new construction fee that could provide more than $200,000 for capital improvements each year for the school district. The fee is possible under Senate Bill 1036, which enables K-12 districts …
Don’t let transfer tax fog fool you
BlueRidgeNow.com, NC – November 4, 2007
Larry Young has been out of character, by his own description, in recent weeks. The commissioner who styles himself as the fiercest taxpayer watchdog on the Board of Commissioners has been speaking out for a tax increase. “Have you ever heard of a county …
Henderson County’s proposed land transfer tax
BlueRidgeNow.com, NC – November 4, 2007
What is the land transfer tax? In August, the North Carolina Legislature, as part of the state budget, gave county governments the authority to ask voters to approve a .25 cent sales tax or a .4 percent land transfer tax. The new tax options were part of a …
Camden County public hearing to address builder impact fee
Lake Expo, MO – November 3, 2007
The Camden County Commission will hold a public hearing at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16, to discuss an ordinance that if adopted would charge developers and builders an impact fee for their use of county roads. If approved, the impact fee would apply to all companies …
Land transfer tax seems best option
BlueRidgeNow.com, NC – November 3, 2007
There has been a lot of misinformation about the land transfer tax in letters to the editor, some intentionally misleading and others indicating a lack of proper perspective. It seems to me that an “impact fee” on new houses would be the fairest “tax,” because …
Supervisors to review TIF charges
Village News Network, CA – November 2, 2007
A November 7 San Diego County Board of Supervisors hearing will address possible changes in the Transportation Impact Fee (TIF) ordinance. The supervisors were scheduled to review the TIF ordinance on October 24, but with many interested parties …
IMPACT FEE NOIR
Wakulla.com, FL – November 1, 2007
There she was … Big, and blonde, and Norwegian … Inga. I had called her from an ad in the News. It said “massages.” I called because I was in a quandary. I need a massage soooo bad. I had heard all about impact fees and I needed some help. “Soo, tell …
Calimesa officials considering lowering development fees
San Bernardino Sun, CA – November 1, 2007
City officials are considering lowering development impact fees in order to stay competitive with surrounding cities. In January, for the first time in 13 years, the City Council adopted development fees in seven categories including police, fire and drainage. …
Judge may rule soon in suit against city
McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX – November 1, 2007
A Collin County district judge could issue a ruling on or before Nov. 9 about a lawsuit involving the city of McKinney and a man who claims the city took 15 acres of his land without properly compensating him for the property.Judge Chris Oldner of 416th District Court …
North Port city plan to spur development not getting many takers
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – October 31, 2007
The city is a week into its latest move to spur the ailing construction industry, and so far it appears little has changed. On Oct. 23, North Port changed its impact fee policy to collect the money when projects are finished instead of up front when permits are issued. …
TF moves closer to impact fees
Twin Falls Times-News, ID – October 30, 2007
After paying $44,500 to a consulting agency to determine whether impact fees costs for growth assessed to developers are necessary in Twin Falls, the City Council is making preparations to formally create a policy.On Monday, the City Council outlined to city staff …
Concurrency memo has that fishy smell
St. Petersburg Times, FL – October 30, 2007
At first glance, you’d think the Pasco County Attorney’s Office didn’t like the limited snacks scheduled to be served at a joint School Board/County Commission meeting this morning. Besides the usual coffee and bottled water, it looked like the county legal staff …
Negotiated impact fee step in right direction
Hilton Head Island Packet, SC – October 30, 2007
Beaufort County and school district officials want to charge$6,000 per home to help pay for new schools under new county development agreements. They’d like to see municipalities join them. The idea looks good and addresses a big hole in the state’s impact fee …
County resists hike in transportation fees
Grand Junction Sentinel, CO – October 28, 2007
Transportation-impact fees on new homes could be increasing as much as threefold — from $1,589 to $4,800 — in the next few years. Depending on where in the county a new home is built, that fee could vary by a couple thousand dollars. During a recent meeting of …
Study released to county on impact fees
Daily Inter Lake, MT – October 28, 2007
In a study released to Flathead County this week, Maryland-based consulting company TischlerBise outlined the county facilities that might benefit from impact fees. The list included Flathead Parks and Recreation, the Flathead County Library System, law …
Illegal park fee fix won’t meet earlier deadline
Farmington Daily Times, NM – October 27, 2007
Farmington city staff are still months away from a solution as a self-imposed deadline to fix illegal park fees looms. “We’re looking at several months if we want to keep it in-house,” Community Development Director Mike Sullivan said. “We’re contemplating …
County considers road impact fees
Florida Times-Union, FL – October 26, 2007
Next month, the Clay County Commission will consider imposing transportation impact fees to finance needed road improvements. The proposed project list includes widening of County Road 209 from County Road 218 to OId Jennings Road, to create a new four-lane, …
Plano considers doing away with impact fees
McKinney Courier Gazette, TX – October 26, 2007
The Plano City Council is considering doing away with impact fees in hopes that it would spur development in a community that has pretty well filled out its boundaries. Jeff Zimmerman, long range planner for the city, said that impact fees could serve to discourage …
School impact fee remains undecided
Orlando Sentinel, FL – October 25, 2007
As Orange and Seminole counties raised school-impact fees this week, Lake school officials are still fighting to justify raising their fees for new development. Their biggest hurdle to date seems to be a Lake County-appointed impact-fee study group, which suggested …
Orange, Seminole boost fees for schools
Orlando Sentinel, FL – October 24, 2007
Home builders in Orange and Seminole counties will have to chip in more to build schools starting early next year. County commissioners in Orange and Seminole voted Tuesday afternoon to raise fees that are charged against new homes to help pay for new classrooms. …
Landlords and tenants say no to 1 percent tax
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – October 24, 2007
Landlords, tenants, businesses and homeowners are taxed to the max. It is bad enough that 55 percent of Sarasota County’s property taxes go to the School Board. The School Board asks for more taxes while student enrollment is faltering. The school impact fee …
Park impact fees unchanged
The News-Press, FL – October 24, 2007
Recognizing difficult times for the home building industry, Lee County Commissioners wouldn’t even consider a proposal to raise park impact fees at their meeting Tuesday night. Commissioners unanimously voted to put aside a proposed 45 percent increases to impact …
Impact fee reductions approved, more could come
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – October 24, 2007
In approving a temporary reduction in impact fees for new home builders Tuesday, members of the Charlotte County Commission said they intend to extend the same courtesy to commercial properties in two weeks’ time. The commission held a public hearing to …
Impact Fees To Soar In Orange, Seminole Counties
WESH.com, FL – October 24, 2007
Orange County Commissioners unanimously passed an impact fee increase on Tuesday. Impact fees have helped pay for new schools to sustain the growth in Florida, but several Central Florida counties said the fees weren’t keeping up with the costs. Some residents …
Rochester Planning Board proposes fee structure for future growth
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH – October 23, 2007
The Planning Board could adopt a set of impact fees before the end of the year if it follows a schedule outlined Monday night, when officials reviewed a consultant’s updated proposal. The board has to sort out technical aspects and determine what it wants the city’s …
Windsor looks at road impact fees
The Coloradoan, CO – October 22, 2007
The Windsor Town Board took a first look at updating its road impact fees during a work session Monday night. “You had established the goal of updating these fees every five years,” Town Manager Kelly Arnold said. “Tonight’s meeting will provide you with a broad …
Hearing will let public give ideas on hike in water rate
The Huntsville Times – al.com, AL – October 22, 2007
Utility plans to raise price twice, starting in December. Huntsville Utilities water customers can pour out their thoughts Tuesday on a plan that would raise water rates in December and again next September. The two-step rate hike is the subject of a public …
Transfer tax best way to raise money
BlueRidgeNow.com, NC – October 21, 2007
The proposed land transfer tax is the best way to raise money for Henderson County schools and other capital projects. Henderson County voters should embrace this opportunity to adopt a revenue source that will take the pressure off the property tax and …
School leaders want impact fees a bit higher
Orlando Sentinel, FL – October 21, 2007
The Osceola School Board approved a slightly higher impact fee Tuesday after it revised a previous study undertaken by consultant Randy Young. The new impact fee — which still must be approved by the County Commission — would increase the price of fees paid …
‘Fix Five’ fee will get ahead of growth curve
Record-Searchlight (subscription), CA – October 21, 2007
The north state calmly lags behind many California trends. Whether it’s immigration, growth, fashion or the latest L.A. food craze, we’re often behind the times — and happily so. One upside to our slow pace is that we can watch the mistakes the rest of the state …
Does 1 cent make sense?
Venice Gondolier, FL – October 21, 2007
A penny for your thoughts — and your vote. On Nov. 6, Sarasota County voters will choose whether to extend the so-called 1-cent sales surtax for another 15 years, from 2010 through 2024. Early voting opens Monday. The tax has been in effect for 18 years, …
GET PAID TO GO GREEN?
Orlando Sentinel, FL – October 21, 2007
The city of Oviedo might pay homeowners $1,000 to tear up their water-guzzling lawns and replace them with drought-resistant plants. City officials also are poised to approve tougher rules for new development, limiting high-water use to 30 percent of a home’s …
In growing Menifee, demand for child care makes each space count
Press-Enterprise, CA – October 21, 2007
With Wilderness Lakes Day Camp in Menifee closing Dec. 1, Garrett Hoffman has spent the past two months searching for a new after-school program for his 8-year-old daughter, Selena. He’s had no luck. “We have no idea what we’re going to do,” Hoffman said …
Delay was right for park fee hearing
The Olympian, WA – October 21, 2007
The Olympia City Council has a reputation for getting bogged down in bureaucratic processes. If there’s a study to be conducted or a consultant to hire, the council will find a way. Those studies and consultants have a way of drawing out the decision-making …
Perry names impact fee panel members
Perry names impact fee panel members – October 20, 2007
The City Council appointed members of the Impact Fee Advisory Committee at Tuesday’s meeting, but it wasn’t easy. The council, at its regular meeting, went back and forth over how many members to appoint and the method for naming members before settling …
Huckaby: Proposed $6000 impact fee will help pay for new schools
Savannah Morning News, GA – October 19, 2007
Beaufort County school officials are gearing up for another building bond referendum next year and they’re already laying the groundwork by trying to spread the cost. District administrators have indicated a need for between $175 to $200 million to add new schools …
Parowan Council Approves Impact Fee Amounts
Cedar City Review, UT – October 19, 2007
After passing impact fee ordinances Sept. 27, the Parowan City Council voted unanimously Oct. 11 to approve the current suggested amounts by resolution, increasing some impact fees and adding new ones. In one motion, followed by a quick roll call vote …
Developers decry impact fees
Appeal-Democrat, CA – October 18, 2007
Yuba City’s new impact fees are a mixed bag, developers and business people say. Some developers and industry advocates worry that higher fees will discourage building. We’ll find out in about a year, but it really is going to harm future development …
Foundation sues North Port over road repair fee
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – October 18, 2007
The Pacific Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit today against North Port, charging the city’s “road rehabilitation fee” is really an unlawful impact fee that violates the state constitution. The suit, filed in the 12th Circuit Court in Sarasota County, was brought in the name …
Chambers reviewing impact fee proposals in Indian River County
Vero Beach Press-Journal, FL – October 17, 2007
If the county’s proposed impact fee increases go into effect next year, new home buyers could face substantially higher impact fees. But a group of local business and community leaders hope to be able to offer county officials a better solution next month. The …
County, schools agree to impact fees
Beaufort Gazette, SC – October 17, 2007
The Beaufort County School Board on Tuesday unanimously endorsed charging developers $6,000 for each new home built under county development agreements. Board member said they hoped their united front will convince municipal leaders to follow suit and …
YC OKs impact fee jump
Appeal-Democrat, CA – October 17, 2007
Yuba City will raise its impact fees to pay for growth improvements after the City Council passed revised fees Tuesday night. The council’s unanimous decision ends years of study that began in early 2005. “Is it the perfect model? No, it’s not,” said Councilman …
Chesterfield votes against road fees
Richmond Times Dispatch, VA – October 17, 2007
The Chesterfield County Planning Commission last night obliged about 15 residents who spoke out against new road impact fees, voting unanimously not to recommend adoption of the fees. Those who spoke argued that the impact fees would put a crimp on …
Impact fees are what we really need
BlueRidgeNow.com, NC – October 16, 2007
With the recent wave of new approved and proposed commercial and residential developments in Henderson County, we county taxpayers must take action now to protect ourselves from having to foot the bill for necessary improvements to roads, water and sewer and …
Park fees may be tripled
The Olympian, WA – October 16, 2007
For every new single-family house built in Olympia developers would have to pay up to $6,359 in park impact fees — more than triple what developers pay now — under a consultant’s proposal the Olympia City Council might hear tonight. Money from the fee …
Hearing on park fee rise delayed
The Olympian, WA – October 16, 2007
The Olympia City Council voted 4-3 Tuesday night to delay a hearing on a proposed increase in parks impact fees. Councilman Joe Hyer said that the public hearing, which had been scheduled for tonight, was premature because the full council had not been briefed on …
Gauging the impact of schools
Ocala.com, FL – October 15, 2007
Marion County commissioners and School Board had a meeting of the minds last week, seemingly reaching an accord on some issues. But one sticking point was over who should pay for new growth’s needs like road improvements and water and sewer lines. The two boards …
Impact fees help pay for growth
Newszap Florida, FL – October 14, 2007
Florida has reached its tipping point. We can’t continue what we’re doing in the next five to 10 years without serious ramifications.” That statement came from Vivian Young, communications director for 100 Friends of Florida, about the anticipated explosion of growth and …
Are developer fees the answer to growing school needs?
Hilton Head Island Packet, SC – October 14, 2007
To defray the cost of new schools, local officials want to charge developers $6,000 for each new home built under county development agreements. Those agreements are tools that local governments and developers can use to negotiate fees and …
Prince William considering Virginia’s highest impact fees
Examiner.com – October 13, 2007
Prince William County Supervisors will consider imposing the state’s highest impact fees on developers Tuesday night under a plan to substantially boost local road and school funding. Supervisors delayed raising the fees 36 percent from $37,719 per home to $51,113 …
Report recommends raising Bozeman impact fees
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – October 13, 2007
A final report by a Florida consulting firm recommends that Bozeman should triple or even sextuple its impact fees for streets – a measure that, if adopted, would raise total fees to more than $12,000 for a new home in the city. The report by Tindale-Oliver Associated …
Cabot could ease impact fees
Arkansas Leader, AR – October 12, 2007
The Cabot City Council might take action this month to keep home builders’ impact fees from doubling in November as acheduked. Norma Naquin, with public works, told the council’s public works committee Monday that 79 fewer houses were built in 2007 than in 2006 …
Road Impact Fees
AM850, FL – October 11, 2007
The Alachua County Commission approved road impact fees, but not everyone is happy with the decision. President of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Brent Christensen says though there aren’t many ways to fund road improvements, there are other …
City Asks Builders to Pay Own Way
Signal, CA – October 11, 2007
With developers bringing sometimes thousands of homes at a time to the Santa Clarita Valley, the City Council agreed Tuesday to establish a fee to get developers to help ease the strain they place on the city’s law enforcement facilities. The so-called law enforcement …
Phase-in of YC impact fees stirs concern
Appeal-Democrat, CA – October 11, 2007
Some Yuba City planning commissioners questioned the city’s proposal to phase in revised impact fees, saying the City Council should not delay putting higher fees in place. “It seems the longer that we delay the implementation of the revised fee structure, …
Victors, losers sort out election
News & Observer, NC – October 11, 2007
The political landscape in Wake County’s two biggest cities changed dramatically Tuesday when voters elected predominantly slow-growth candidates, increasing the likelihood of significant change in the way Raleigh and Cary pay for development. One day after …
Loud and clear …
News & Observer, NC – October 11, 2007
Mayor Charles Meeker was smiling yesterday and shaking hands as he entered the Mecca restaurant in downtown Raleigh at high noon. The mayor’s not one for champagne with lunch, but he probably felt like it. Local voters on Tuesday secured for Meeker …
Boone County boosts land values, resulting in higher impact fees
Rockford Register Star, IL – October 11, 2007
The county updated its land fees Wednesday to generate more money for schools, parks and conservation. The County Board voted unanimously to increase the land value in the formula used to determine impact fees, the one-time fee paid by developers …
Gurnee schools reach compromise on fees
Chicago Daily Herald, IL – October 11, 2007
Two Gurnee-area school districts and a residential developer have reached an agreement regarding impact fees. For several weeks, Woodland Elementary District 50 and Warren Township High School District 121 have been at odds with developers of Wanish Park, …
Vallejo boosts developers’ fees
Vallejo Times-Herald, CA – October 11, 2007
As East Vallejo Little League braces for its fields being paved over for housing, Victor Owens told the City Council on Tuesday he hopes an increased park development fee will result in new ballfields and a sports complex. “If the fee will stop developers (from building), we …
Council Adopts Law Enforcement Impact Fee
KHTS Radio, CA – October 10, 2007
Tonight, the Santa Clarita City Council adopted a resolution establishing a law enforcement facilities impact fee. The fee is designed to make sure that new development chips in for money needed to expand the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department …
Fee Increase May Fund Better Roads in Washoe County
KRNV, NV – October 10, 2007
Washoe County commissioners are proposing to raise development impact fees to help fund road construction and maintenance. But the proposed increase is far less then the amount recommended by Regional Transportation Commission staff. Commissioners noted a …
MSBU charges and fire impact fee discussed by BCC
Walton Sun, FL – October 10, 2007
At a Tuesday workshop, Walton County commissioners heard a report from Camille Tharp with Government Services Group on possible changes in the Municipal Service Benefit Units charged for fire protection in the unincorporated parts of Walton County not …
Raleigh, Cary voters seek slow growth
Charlotte Observer, NC – October 10, 2007
Voters in Wake County’s two largest cities sent a strong message Tuesday by electing a slate of candidates who campaigned on either slowing growth or requiring more of developers. Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and newly elected Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht …
County board proposes road impact fee increases
Reno Gazette Journal, NV – October 10, 2007
After trying to justify the increase, Washoe County commissioners proposed an ordinance Tuesday to raise road impact fees to half the amount recommended by the Regional Transportation Commission staff. Washoe County is the first local government to consider …
A progressive tide turns for Raleigh City Council
The Independent Weekly, NC – October 10, 2007
Raleigh voters tossed aside one incumbent on Tuesday and pushed another to the brink of removal as they nudged the City Council’s center of political gravity toward the progressive side. Mayor Charles Meeker, who was re-elected without opposition to a fourth …
City orders Houston developers to share park costs
Houston Chronicle, TX – October 10, 2007
The Houston City Council decided Wednesday that residential developers must share the costs of ensuring that future generations of Houstonians enjoy access to parks and green space as their city grows. The council voted unanimously to require developers to …
Roseburg lowers water fees for residential sprinklers
The News-Review, OR – October 10, 2007
As the recent Columbia Gorge fire in White Salmon, Wash., showed, homes on hillsides are often more susceptible to fire. A quick updraft can sweep a fire up a hill, and it may take a while for firefighters to follow up the twisty, steep roads leading to the homes. By the …
Impact fee reductions to be revisited
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – October 9, 2007
Despite a 3-2 rejection two weeks ago, members of the commission are still interested in temporarily reducing the tax. Two weeks after a move to temporarily reduce impact fees was narrowly defeated by the Charlotte County Commission, the subject will return for further…
County studies fees for Crown Pointe
Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC – October 9, 2007
Can Georgetown County afford that 5,000-plus unit development known as Crown Pointe? It could hinge on the county’s ability to impose the right amount of impact fees to defray the costs of building new roads and parks. Otherwise, residents would have to …
Seabrook Planning Board to propose impact fees
Portsmouth Herald News, NH – October 9, 2007
The Planning Board will propose assessing impact fees on development at the March 2008 town meeting. In addition, Chairwoman Susan Foote said the board will ask for a warrant article to fund a study to determine how to assess the fees. Both …
Residential impact fee reduction OK’d by Charlotte commissioners
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – October 9, 2007
The cost of new residential construction in Charlotte County will likely see a temporary discount after the County Commission voted to reduce impact fees at today. The commission’s second vote on the matter proved successful, as just two weeks ago, the commission …
Sussex County officials explore ways to fund infrastructure
Cape Gazette, DE – October 8, 2007
Sussex County officials are looking for additional ways to fund roads and other infrastructure. With a unanimous vote Tuesday, Oct. 2, county council moved forward to draft enabling legislation giving the county the option to enact impact fees, special development …
Development fee study shows how Columbia stacks up
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO – October 8, 2007
A study of development fees in 40 Midwest cities shows that Columbia ranks fourth-lowest among 27 cities that charge a standard development fee to help pay for off-site infrastructure. But the study’s rankings might present only part of the picture. Ben …
Woodland impact fee plan may be illegal
Longview Daily News, WA – October 7, 2007
In an effort to deal with what it considers explosive growth, the Woodland School District has once again asked Cowlitz County to impose fees on new houses built within the district’s boundaries.But the county’s attorney is questioning whether the method the …
DeLand woman billed for years for service never received
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL – October 5, 2007
At first she thought she had a minor plumbing problem. Then a sewer flow test proved she was hooked up to an ancient, corroded septic tank — while paying for city sewer service she never had. And now Amber de Lisser, owner of a rental home, has a 7-foot hole that …
Would impact fees fix roads?
Richmond Times Dispatch, VA – October 4, 2007
Chesterfield County wants to charge some home developers a fee to offset its $1 billion-plus in road costs, but that money would only cover 5 percent of the county’s road needs. Chesterfield County may soon require developers to pay more money toward county …
Are you willing to pay for new county roads?
News-Times, OR – October 4, 2007
Washington County politicians, tired of waiting for Salem to fork over the funds needed to improve the county’s network of roads, may ask voters directly for the money next fall. The Washington County Coordinating Committee – a group of mayors, county …
New-home development fee in Tumwater could become area’s highest
The Olympian, WA – October 4, 2007
Developers would have to pay the city about $3,000 more in park impact fees for every home built under a proposed six-year plan. “If we don’t do it, our parks facilities will get too crowded or deteriorate,” said Bill Mandeville, a Tumwater Planning Commission …
Legal language of impact fees being hashed out by county/school district
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – October 3, 2007
The Charlotte County school district is awaiting word whether the legal language of its proposed impact fee resolution meets county requirements. Superintendent David Gayler said the interlocal agreement is being reviewed by county and school attorneys, …
Home builders want Cary to repay fees
News & Observer, NC – October 3, 2007
Almost a dozen home builders say the town of Cary lacks the authority to impose school impact fees on new development and have filed a civil lawsuit in Wake County Superior Court to get their money back. Town officials agree with them. They pointed out …
Developers Hoping To Build In Rutherford Co. Sweeten Deal
WKRN, TN – October 3, 2007
Farmland developers in Rutherford County are hoping to turn a field along Midland Road near the Bedford County line in the southwest corner of the county into 126 homes. To sweeten the deal, the developers said they will offer to give $700 per home to Rutherford …
Developers Sue Cary
NBC 17.com, NC – October 3, 2007
Some $3 million is in limbo right now due to a lawsuit against the town of Cary. Developers are suing the town over so-called “school impact fees” and the outcome of the case could have state-wide implications. As more and more houses spring up around Cary, …
Oregon school districts plan to use new taxing authority
The Oregonian – OregonLive.com, OR – October 3, 2007
An estimated 25 percent of Oregon’s school districts plan to use a new law allowing them to tax new residential and industrial development, according to schools watchers. “Within six months, we will probably have close to 50 districts that have enacted this,” …
Commissioners promise to use 85% of Land Transfer Tax for schools
Chatham Journal Weekly, NC – October 2, 2007
To clarify its intent to use most of the land transfer tax revenues for schools, the Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously today to restrict 85% of revenues for this purpose. The restriction is effective until at least the end of 2010, when a …
Schools consider development tax
Mail Tribune, OR – October 2, 2007
Some Jackson County school districts are considering tapping into a new state law that allows them to tax new development to help fund school maintenance and construction. Senate Bill 1036 authorizes school districts to collect up to $1-per-square-foot per residential …
Panel passes new-home Impact fee hikes
The Ledger, FL – October 1, 2007
On the heels of property tax reform and a failed attempt for a special tax for recreation, Lakeland will get more money for parks from people who build new homes. The Lakeland City Commission voted unanimously to hike impact fees Monday. It increased the …
Cicero needs more parkland
Noblesville Daily Times, IN – October 1, 2007
Cicero needs more than 52 acres of additional parkland in the next 10 years to meet the needs of future residents, according to a consultant. And the town has about 11 fewer acres of parkland than it needs for residents now, according to consultants Lehman and …
Planners Give Inadequate Public Service
The Lincoln Tribune, NC – September 30, 2007
Although suspicious of most occupational-licensing laws, I’m sorely tempted to advocate that the state of North Carolina create a new, high standard for certifying local land-use planners. Call it an Adequate Public Benefit law. In order to be employed by a local …
Fun Time day care on track, thanks to impact fee deferral
Naples Daily News, FL – September 30, 2007
While Fun Time Early Childhood Academy officials do not have a date set for the opening of their new building, they’re well on their way. And a decision by Collier County commissioners last week will make constructing a new $2.2 million modular building a little easier …
Council discusses impact fee
al.com, AL – September 28, 2007
A clearly divided Daphne City Council appears unsure whether imposing impact fees in Baldwin County’s largest city is a good idea. Councilman John Lake — the longest-tenured member of the seven-person panel, having served 16 years — and Mayor Fred Small …
Inverness may dump county fees
Citrus County Chronicle, FL – September 27, 2007
Inverness City Manager Frank DiGiovanni said Wednesday the city may opt out of the county’s impact fees next year and adopt lower fees of its own. DiGiovanni estimated the city’s impact fees would be one-third to one-half of what the county charges. He said the …
Impact fee relief rejected
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – September 26, 2007
The Charlotte County Commission decided Tuesday it would not, for now, venture into uncharted territory and reduce impact fees in hopes of spurring the local building industry. The 3-2 decision was made even after cries for help were heard from numerous …
Council enacts park impact fee to take effect in March
Chesterton Tribune, IN – September 26, 2007
Six months from Monday, on March 24, 2008, the Town of Chesterton will begin collecting a recreation impact fee of $1,171 from the builder of every new house. At its meeting Monday night, the Town Council voted 5-0 to approve on first reading an ordinance creating …
El Dorado County supes hike traffic-impact fee on new homes
Sacramento Bee, CA – September 26, 2007
In a move that builders predicted would further depress the market for new homes, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a 14.6 percent increase in traffic impact fees for new construction in the county. The fee, required under the …
Denied: Builders request lower impact fees
WBBH, FL – September 25, 2007
Builders went before the Charlotte County Commission to ask for help. They want impact fees reduced so homes would be cheaper. But in the end, they did not get what they were asking for. General Contractor Ron Hill said the builders had great hopes that the …
Naples childcare center to use charitable impact fee deferral program
Naples Daily News, FL – September 25, 2007
A Naples childcare facility will be taking advantage of Collier County’s charitable organization impact fee deferral program. Collier County commissioners Tuesday approved Fun Time Early Childhood Academy, Inc.’s request to be part of the deferral program. Commissioners …
Yreka’s development impact fees under scrutiny
Siskiyou Daily News, CA – September 25, 2007
The Yreka City Council heard from the ad-hoc committee regarding the development impact fee ordinance at their regular meeting Thursday night. The committee, which was formed at the Sept. 6 Yreka City Council meeting, met on Monday, Sept. 17 for a …
Who will pay rising impact fees?
Grand Junction Sentinel, CO – September 25, 2007
Who should pay for the upkeep of roads here in the Grand Valley — the residents or the business owners? The question is yet to be answered, but some are saying businesses are already paying their fair share — if not more than their fair share. The issue has arisen …
Council hears complaints on impact, parks fees
The Missoulian, MT – September 25, 2007
A proposed fee for transportation is too high, but one for parks is much too low. Those are some of the comments the Missoula City Council heard about impact fees Monday during its regular meeting. The city is redoing its impact fees, which are designed to get …
Martin debating costs of students
Palm Beach Post, FL – September 24, 2007
If only it were as simple as punching one number into a calculator. But as officials in Martin County work on a formula to prevent crowding at public schools, all sorts of numbers have popped up in the equation. And not everyone agrees on which numbers to use. …
City eyes developer fees; Peoria officials study money for infrastructure
Newszap Arizona, AZ – September 24, 2007
Peoria is growing rapidly — and more growth is expected. With this growth comes the need for utilities, roads, libraries, parks, etc. To help pay for these needs, Peoria officials charge developers impact fees to pay for infrastructure improvements. “Development …
Say yes to impact fees for school construction
Hilton Head Island Packet, SC – September 24, 2007
Beaufort County Council Chairman Weston Newton didn’t get an answer Friday when he asked state Rep. Richard Chalk whether he would support legislation for school impact fees. Chalk should answer that question with a resounding yes and so should the rest of the …
Builders may soon pay a lot more in Morro Bay
San Luis Obispo Tribune, CA – September 24, 2007
Morro Bay is considering a steep increase in development fees in hopes of pumping at least $2 million more into city coffers annually. The city levies these one-time fees on commercial, industrial and residential developments. Paid by developers, revenue from these …
Planners OK impact fees on developers
Gary Post Tribune, IN – September 21, 2007
Plans to charge developers an impact fee to pay for new park land has passed the plan commission and will go before the Town Council on Monday. Under the Chesterton Recreation Zone Improvement Plan, the town would charge $1,171 for each new dwelling …
Developers could see jump in impact fees
The Missoulian, MT – September 21, 2007
Fees on new developments in Missoula will soar if the City Council approves proposed changes to a set of impact fees. If the council doesn’t, it will be transportation needs in Missoula that skyrocket. Under the current proposal, several impact fees would actually …
Impact Fee Suit Should Stay In Federal Court, Homebuilders Argue
Springdale Morning News, AR – September 21, 2007
A federal court has jurisdiction to hear a challenge to Rogers’ water and sewer hook-up fees, a homebuilders’ association suing the city said Thursday. The suit alleges fees for hooking up to water and sewer in Rogers were improperly used for unrelated city …
Fees to exclude smaller homes
Appleton Post Crescent, WI – September 21, 2007
A fire station impact fee approved here Tuesday reflects growing concerns that the new one-time charge on future developments can reduce the affordability of new homes. The fee will add $247 to the permitting cost of most new homes built in the town over …
City wants developers to pay more
Grand Junction Sentinel, CO – September 20, 2007
The Grand Junction City Council recommended Wednesday night a 162-percent hike in a traffic-impact fee charged to new development, saying the extra money is needed to offset the toll on local roads and burgeoning construction costs. Without taking a …
Impact fees and growth
Frederick News Post, MD – September 20, 2007
According to a story in the Sept. 13 edition of The Frederick News-Post, Brunswick may join Frederick County, Middletown, Thurmont and Frederick by instituting an impact fee on new housing units. Impact fees are designed to fund the costs associated with …
Traffic fee exemptions go before town council
Nevada Appeal, NV – September 20, 2007
In an effort to have new development to pay for the traffic it generates, the Town of Truckee has updated the traffic impact fee it charges developers. The new fee, which will go into effect Oct. 1, raises the rate from $2,450 to $5,169 charged for a theoretical …
Traffic fee exemptions go before town council
Sierra Sun, CA – September 19, 2007
In an effort to have new development to pay for the traffic it generates, the Town of Truckee has updated the traffic impact fee it charges developers. The new fee, which will go into effect Oct. 1, raises the rate from $2,450 to $5,169 charged for a theoretical …
City leaders talk impact fees
Gulf Coast Newspapers, AL – September 19, 2007
The city (Daphne) may soon charge impact fees for new developments. The city hired TischlerBise, a Bethesda, Md. firm that specializes in looking at the possibilities of impact fees, where they could be used and what could be charged. The fee could be more …
Committee explores development impact fees
Wooster Daily Record, OH – September 19, 2007
While the city waits for a traffic study on West Milltown Road to be completed regarding a proposed rezoning, Wooster City Councilman Jon Ansel’s laws and ordinances committee met Monday to explore the use of impact fees as a method to fund development. …
Cape Coral mayor eyes impact-fee reduction
The News-Press, FL – September 18, 2007
Cape Coral’s utilities impact fee could be cut about $2,400 for some residents in the near future, Mayor Eric Feichthaler said Monday. The fee would drop from $6,750 to $4,309 under his plan. The change would help people in the Southwest 5 and future utilities …
Charlotte may help its builders
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – September 17, 2007
Builders suffering from a slow economy could get a break on the fees they pay for new construction. To boost construction, Charlotte commissioners are looking into temporarily lowering impact fees, used to offset the cost of new roads, parks and other infrastructure. …
Law lets developers foot infrastructure bills
The Mountain Press, TN – September 17, 2007
City officials spent a lot of time during the past Legislative session lobbying for a new law that allows large-scale developers to assess an additional fee on their property to help pay for extra infrastructure needs created by the development. Cities can then obtain low- …
Taxing options
Northwest Arkansas Times, AR – September 17, 2007
A real estate transfer tax may still provide an option for local governments searching for ways to fund infrastructure projects, but not before Fayetteville deals with road impact fees again. The city will work on the next draft of a road impact fee ordinance, while …
Impact fees ensure green spaces in new Albuquerque-area developments
Albuquerque Tribune, NM – September 17, 2007
During an average spring week in Fort Collins, Colo., 5,000 people are out on the grass playing soccer. Fort Collins, I would say, has done a very nice job with parks,” said Al Minatta, executive director of the Fort Collins Soccer Club. “We have not had to turn people away. …
Mesa impact fee disputed: Group challenges cultural charge
Newszap Arizona, AZ – September 17, 2007
One of Mesa’s development impact fees is being called into question by an organization representing area home builders. A legal challenge was filed Sept. 5 in Maricopa County’s Superior Court on behalf of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona. The group takes …
The Impact and Cost of Biscuit Run
NBC 29 News, VA – September 17, 2007
The estimated total impact the future development of Biscuit Run will have on Albemarle County is $41 million. The 900-acre community in Albemarle County is sure to affect roads, schools and land, but who pays the price? In this case, the people building the community …
Martin panel advises not hiking fee allotment for public buildings
Palm Beach Post, FL – September 15, 2007
A Martin County advisory board recommended approving several increases to development fees charged to builders Friday but said the portion earmarked for constructing public buildings is too high. Called impact fees, the assessments are added to the price of new …
Impact fee challenge has merit
East Valley Tribune, AZ – September 13, 2007
Development impact fees are supposed to be a legal method of charging new residents and new businesses up-front for government infrastructure they will need, instead of putting an additional burden on current residents who already contribute their fair share. But a …
City explores impact fees
Frederick News Post, MD – September 13, 2007
Impact fees may be in Brunswick’s future. The City Council has given the go-ahead for a study to explore the feasibility of impact fees for any new construction in Brunswick. Such fees provide dollars to offset the impact of added population on local services. The fees ….
Impact fees will pay for sewer growth
Kettle Moraine Index, WI – September 13, 2007
The Village Board agreed Monday to implement an impact fee of $3,779 on new homes and businesses connecting to village sewer service. Ruekert/Mielke financial analyst Jon Cameron said the impact fee would go toward the $6.8 million first-phase expansion …
BV planning commission hears opposition to proposed impact fees
Chaffee County Times, CO – September 13, 2007
Several citizens spoke against a proposed ordinance imposing impact fees to be used for town roads and suggested they would rather see a bond issue or sales tax increase at the regular meeting of the Buena Vista Planning and Zoning Commission Sept. 5 at …
Homebuyers hit with ‘hidden tax’
Kane County Chronicle, IL – September 13, 2007
When new-homebuyers pay impact fees, the higher cost amounts to a “hidden tax” that drives up the cost of new and existing housing, according to a new study. The Illinois Association of Realtors commissioned University of Chicago economist Don Coursey to …
Commission delays decision on impact fee deferral program
Naples Daily News, FL – September 12, 2007
Collier County commissioners will hold off on making any decisions to a countywide impact fee deferral program until the county’s Affordable Housing Commission looks into the issue. On Wednesday, county staff members told commissioners they need to look into …
Cowin stays on same page as contributors
Orlando Sentinel, FL – September 9, 2007
Last week, Lake School Superintendent Anna Cowin did not support a proposed impact-fee increase to build schools, the only remedy the School Board has within its grasp to make growth help pay for itself. Her reaction was no surprise. Development interests kicked …
Schools, our students need the increase in impact fees
Orlando Sentinel, FL – September 9, 2007
It’s time for all five county commissioners to stand up for students and pass the impact-fee increase. All five School Board members set aside their differences and united to strongly recommend the higher impact fees. They know better than anyone that the money…
County drops plan to boost impact fees
In Business Las Vegas, NV – September 7, 2007
Recent changes in state law have prompted Clark County to scrap a proposal to charge developers more for the extra streets, parks and public safety demands generated by their projects, a county official said. After spending $200,000 to study the year-old impact fee …
Non-payment a risk in new impact-fee deferral plan
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – September 7, 2007
The Bozeman City Commission’s impact-fee deferral plan for workforce housing isn’t iron clad. The plan calls for the fees to be repaid, but deferral timeline could be lengthy – and there is a slim chance that the fees might never be paid. “It is definitely a risk …
Developers may get hit with more fees soon
Grand Junction Sentinel, CO – September 7, 2007
Developers could soon be paying thousands of dollars more for the drive. Mesa County, Palisade, Grand Junction and Fruita are considering increasing transportation impact fees, which are paid by developers to compensate for the effects of new development. …
Growth act gives city tool to get cash, but it’s not easy to use
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, WA – September 7, 2007
The city has a relatively new tool to raise money to meet capital needs. But using it is not that easy, City Manager Duane Cole said. Under the state’s Growth Management Act, the concept of concurrency requires cities to expand services as they grow. …
School impact fees may get a twist
Orlando Sentinel, FL – September 6, 2007
The Osceola school district has been presented with a proposal that would give an automatic impact-fee credit to home builders who donate land to the district. The deal would eliminate a component that takes into account estimated land values — including land …
Builders 1, schools 0
Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA – September 6, 2007
In two weeks, Oregon school districts will be able to levy a construction tax on new development to help defray the cost of building and improving schools. Oregon’s new law will place the state among the 20 or so that have realized that the property taxes …
Builders sue Mesa for impact fee hike
East Valley Tribune, AZ – September 6, 2007
A homebuilders association is challenging Mesa for imposing a fee on new developments in an effort to raise revenue for museums and to preserve the city’s archaeological finds. The Home Builders Association for Central Arizona is the plaintiff in a suit filed …
Impact Fees Reduce Housing Affordability, New Study Maintains
The Heartland Institute, IL – September 6, 2007
Impact fees provide one of the most potent weapons for both sides in the battle over sprawl. Many residential builders contend that the fees charged by municipalities to offset the costs of development are excessive and result in higher home prices that shut first- …
Tax to go to schools, roads
Brunswick Beacon, NC – September 5, 2007
Brunswick County Commissioners voted to designate revenue from the proposed .4 percent land transfer tax to fund road and school improvements. The land transfer tax, if approved by voters this November, would impose a .4 percent tax on all real property sold …
County delays water rules
Durango Herald, CO – September 5, 2007
La Plata County Commissioners on Tuesday put on hold a vote to approve new water-supply standards based on concerns that the tougher standards didn’t allow new subdivisions of any size to rely on water being trucked in. Instead, commissioners asked county …
Impact fees on council agenda
Delmarva Daily Times, MD – September 4, 2007
Impact fees, rental registration policy and the city budget process are on the agenda for today’s (Salisbury) City Council work session. Planning department director Jack Lenox is scheduled to present additional research on the impact fee study conducted by the …
New fees take effect: 9 categories impact builders
New fees take effect: 9 categories impact builders – September 4, 2007
It just became more expensive to obtain a building permit in Mesa. Higher development impact fees, the one-time cost charged to new structures to help a municipality cover the demands of new growth, went into effect Sept. 3 in Mesa. Mesa charges impact fees in …
Builders grow cautious as demand fades
Appleton Post Crescent, WI – September 3, 2007
Land developers are offering local builders like Tom Heegeman free use of their residential lots, hoping the incentive will spur speculation home building once again. The Appleton homebuilder is “leery” of the offers, however. So are other past builders of “spec” …
Those cashing in on growth must pay for it
Orlando Sentinel, FL – September 2, 2007
Lake County commissioners in the coming weeks are going to get a recommendation from the School Board to double the impact fee on a new house from $7,055 to $14,646. That’s a sickening amount for the privilege of building a home. It’s a kick to the building …
County leadership nothing to talk about
Ocala.com, FL – September 2, 2007
This is an open letter to the Marion County Commission: I was absolutely flabbergasted when I read you had turned down the recommended changes to the way the impact fees are assessed. This was your consulting firm, MuniFinancial, which Marion County …
Lake’s plan to hike school fee would put it 2nd in US
Orlando Sentinel, FL – September 1, 2007
Lake County will have the second-highest school-impact fee in the country if its proposed rate increase is approved, according to a national consulting firm. The Lake County School Board voted this week to more than double its school-impact fees to $14,646 …
Fee review is ordered by BBL City Council
Big Bear Grizzly, USA – August 30, 2007
Big Bear Lake City Council is looking into raising fees. The council approved two items at its Aug. 27 meeting related to fees and recovery of costs for service. The city will spend $26,500 to do a development impact fee study, which focuses on the impact …
Commission approves reduced impact fees
Coral Gables Gazette, FL – August 30, 2007
As well as facing an abysmal real estate market, developers in Coral Gables will soon have to face more significant obstacles to building in the City Beautiful when the city’s newly enacted Impact and Sewer Fee ordinances go into effect Sept. 10, after the City Commission …
Building fee hikes supported by county
The Columbian, WA – August 30, 2007
If you’re planning to build something in Clark County, you might want to do it soon. County commissioners Wednesday endorsed a round of major building fee hikes that would raise millions of dollars for wider county roads while deterring the construction of cheap …
Schools weigh big increase
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 29, 2007
Another batch of impact fees may be coming for county approval, if the Lake County School Board decides tonight that it wants to double school-impact fees. The hike would increase the fees by almost 108 percent. That would double the fees for single-family …
Cedar City Council Approves Impact Fee Use
Cedar City Review, UT – August 29, 2007
The Cedar City Council unanimously approved the use of Parks and Recreation impact fee monies to build a sidewalk trail along Northfield Road during its July 8 meeting. City Manager Ron Chandler said the amount that could be allowed in the impact fee budget for the …
Mesa to hike builder impact fees
East Valley Tribune, AZ – August 28, 2007
Mesa will charge higher impact fees on homebuilders and commercial developers starting Sept. 3. Developers pay impact fees to help alleviate the pressure new growth puts on city services, such as wastewater plants and police and fire services. On average, …
Lee County revisits impact fees
Albany Herald On-line, GA – August 28, 2007
Faced with the possibility of driving away potential industry, a Lee County committee voted Monday to recommend that commercial customers be exempt from paying impact fees and that residents support fees for parks and recreation and libraries. The county’s …
Holden enacts impact fees
2TheAdvocate, LA – August 28, 2007
Monday was the first day the city-parish began collecting a new impact fee on new building permits to help offset traffic from new growth on East Baton Rouge roads. The new impact fees were slated to go before the Metro Council on Wednesday, but …
City affordable impact fee makes progress
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – August 28, 2007
The city’s (Punta Gorda) advisory Planning Commission likes city staff’s idea to make housing a bit more affordable to working people and others with moderate incomes. The Planning Commission voted unanimously Monday to support a proposed affordable housing …
Lee County drops most impact fees
WALB-TV, GA – August 28, 2007
Lee County Commissioners passed a new ordinance Tuesday night; that ends impact fees for commercial development. Residential developers must still pay fees that will go toward parks and libraries, but the total fees will be drastically reduced. A homebuilder …
Taxes, taxes and debt: This fall’s ballot options
Aspen Times, CO – August 28, 2007
Citizens this fall will have an option to tax themselves in an effort to clean up the Roaring Fork River and ride free buses throughout town, as well as allow City Hall to borrow money to build a hydroelectric plant to generate renewable energy. Voters also will …
Letter: Traffic-impact fee plan praised
2TheAdvocate, LA – August 27, 2007
Appreciation is in order for Mayor-President Kip Holden and his chief administrative officer, Walter Monsour, for their decision to impose traffic-impact fees after the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors and Capital Region Builders Association failed to offer …
Local impact fees above average compared to most of nation
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – August 27, 2007
A survey released last week of communities across the nation shows that impact fees in Gallatin County communities are higher than those in many other states, although the local fees are far from the highest. Manhattan, for instance, is considering charging up …
New home prices may soon balloon throughout the Treasure Coast
Vero Beach Press-Journal, FL – August 27, 2007
Treasure Coast builders predict an economic slowdown if Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties approve plans to significantly increase their impact fees. But officials and analysts say increasing the fees to developers is the only way to keep up with the costs of …
Despite complaints, impact fees will remain in Navarre
The Northwest Florida Daily News, FL – August 27, 2007
The Holley-Navarre Water System has not changed its policy on charging impact fees for new businesses and homes, despite complaints they are stifling growth in southern Santa Rosa County The Holley-Navarre Water System’s staff and attorney conducted …
Impact Fees May Increase
AM850, FL – August 27, 2007
Taxation, whether you’re for it or against it, is bringing together Alachua County once again. Tomorrow night the County Commission will be voting on whether to increase the transportation impact fee. If passed, the money will offset the growing cost of road …
Impact Fees Aren’t Polk’s Problem
The Ledger, FL – August 26, 2007
Listen to Polk County Commissioner Jack Myers moan and groan long enough and one would think that the county’s impact fees on new residential and commercial construction are dragging down the economy of the entire nation. “[New starts on] Houses are down, …
City Council refocuses on road impact fee proposal
Northwest Arkansas Times, AR – August 24, 2007
The Fayetteville City Council passed a resolution Thursday expressing the city’s intent to enact road impact fees. “ Well, we had so much fun during the election, I just hated to see it end, ” said Ward 4 Alderman Lioneld Jordan, who proposed the resolution, …
Cabela’s impact fees cut
The Union Leader, NH – August 23, 2007
The town council agreed with the planning board’s decision this week and voted to waive nearly $500,000 in roadway impact fees for the Cabela’s project last night because the developer has proposed doing $7.2 million of road improvements in the area, $2.4 million more …
Perry council votes ‘yes’
Houston Home Journal, GA – August 23, 2007
Should those who are building new homes and bringing new residents to Perry pay part of the cost of increasing fire protection and recreational space? The answer is yes, as far as Perry City Council is concerned. Impact fees are on their way for the Perry service …
No easy fix for roads, schools
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 23, 2007
After rejecting huge increases to Lake’s road-impact fees, county commissioners expect another fight brewing over whether to boost school-impact fees that are used to help build classrooms. Commissioners on Tuesday night unanimously voted down a …
S. Burlington council considers impact-fee changes
BurlingtonFreePress.com, VT – August 23, 2007
The cost to build in South Burlington may be going up, depending on how much the City Council decides to raise impact fees. Total impact fees for a single-family residence are $6,485 and $4,300 for each unit of a multi-family unit. Commercial fees vary by size, …
County rejects impact fee changes
Ocala Star-Banner, FL – August 22, 2007
Amid complaints that higher transportation impact fees would pave the road to an even slower housing market, the (Marion) County Commission turned down a consultant’s proposed increase Tuesday. The county hired consultant MuniFinancial last October for …
Feelings fill fee showdown
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 22, 2007
Some in the throng waved signs — “Save our Jobs!” and “Save our Economy.” Others wore stickers with a slash running through the words “Impact Fee Increase.” Emotions ran high Tuesday evening when Lake County commissioners met to take up a proposal to …
Cedar City Impact Fee Increase A Difficult Issue
Cedar City Review, UT – August 22, 2007
The Cedar City Council voted to increase impact fees about two weeks ago by the entire amount recommended in a recent study done on the subject. The study was conducted by Lewis, Young, Robertson and Burningham, a Salt Lake City area firm. They …
Last-minute effort aims to detour fees
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 21, 2007
Lake County Commission Chairman Welton Cadwell said Monday that an “economic perfect storm” isn’t the right time to raise road-impact fees, and today he will propose creating a citizens task force to find other ways to pay for new or improved roads needed because …
Chatham may trim impact fees
News & Observer, NC – August 21, 2007
The Chatham County commissioners agreed Monday to lower the county’s impact fee on new homes by $1,000 if voters approve a land transfer tax in November. Originally, the commissioners had agreed to repeal the $2,900 impact fee if the legislature authorized a 1 …
Port St. Lucie squares off with county on fees
Palm Beach Post, FL – August 21, 2007
City council members on Monday said they will stop collecting county law enforcement impact fees on new homes and businesses in 30 days unless St. Lucie County officials tell them how they plan to use the money next year and how they’ve spent $706,292 collected …
School Impact Fee Reduced
Polk County Democrat, FL – August 21, 2007
Those thinking of building a house have found the right time, as Polk County commissioners voted last week to reduce the school impact fee, as requested by the county school board. The new impact fee, in effect now for a single family home, is $4,171, a significant …
Martin County school impact fees could be going up
Vero Beach Press-Journal, FL – August 21, 2007
Martin County’s school impact fees could be among the state’s highest, if a proposed increase is approved. School impact fees are one-time charges on new construction used to pay for capital costs such as buses and new schools. The county’s Comprehensive …
Mayor to set impact fees
2TheAdvocate, LA – August 21, 2007
Threats by real estate agents and builders to lobby the Metro Council against a proposed increase in East Baton Rouge traffic-impact fees prompted Mayor Kip Holden’s office to play hardball. Holden’s chief administrative officer, Walter Monsour, said Tuesday …
Punta Gorda looks at lessening affordable housing impacts
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – August 20, 2007
To keep housing costs within the range of working people, the city’s advisory Planning Commission will consider an affordable housing impact fee at its Aug. 28 meeting. “It’s a two-prong approach to try to reduce the upfront costs for affordable housing,” said Urban …
County Commission considers increasing residential impact fees
Ocala Star-Banner, FL – August 20, 2007
Residential developers may get upset and retail and commercial developers may feel relieved if the County Commission approves the changes a consultant recommended to Marion’s transportation impact fees. Consulting firm MuniFinancial’s proposed changes to the way …
Snowmass considers construction impact fee
Aspen Daily News, CO – August 20, 2007
The town of Snowmass Village is considering implementing a construction mitigation fee on most new development. The fee would fund things like the salary of a construction coordinator, communication about construction and other additional costs the …
Committee looks at Lee impact fees
WALB-TV, GA – August 20, 2007
The debate over whether to keep impact fees in Lee County continues. Monday night, the Lee County Impact Fee Advisory Committee began re-assessing whether the fees are good for the county. The county instituted the fees last year to help keep up …
Raise some taxes instead of fees
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 19, 2007
When one speaks of the American Dream, thoughts of home ownership are often the first that come to mind. Whether it’s a young family saving to purchase their first home or a single parent struggling to create a better life for a child, the idea of purchasing …
Impact Fee Hike Considered In Lake Co.
Central Florida News 13|, FL – August 19, 2007
People in Lake County will have the chance Tuesday to weigh in on a controversial hike to building impact fees. The county commission is considering raising the transportation impact fees from just over $2,500 to more than $11,000. County leaders said the fees are …
Taxed out
Salt Lake Tribune, UT – August 18, 2007
Utah legislators want to share the tax burden for new schools among everyone in the state. Wouldn’t it be more fair to impose the tax on the cause of the new schools: population increase which results in new residential construction, which many questionably proclaim …
Legislators question impact-fee shift
Arkansas Democrat Gazette, AR – August 17, 2007
Legislators were skeptical Thursday of a push by developers to shift infrastructure costs from buyers of new homes to all real-estate buyers. Rep. Ray Kidd, D-Jonesboro, likened the proposal to “putting it on the poor folks.” Two Northwest Arkansas developers told …
Newmarket Around the Town
Portsmouth Herald News, NH – August 17, 2007
Impact fees help offset the impact on infrastructure from new development. The fees must be appropriated within six years of collection. In Newmarket some unused fees may have to be returned as of Oct. 25. Impact fees have a time limit for use; if they are …
Commissioners hear impact fee debate
Gulf Breeze News, AL – August 16, 2007
Baptist Healthcare and Santa Rosa County are about $100,000 apart on what they each believe should be a fair impact fee for the new building in Navarre. After working back and forth for “about a year,” according to the consulting engineer for Baptist, they came last …
Panel Approves Impact Fee Cut Ordinance
The Ledger, FL – August 16, 2007
Impact fee cuts for economic development and work force housing were approved 4-1 Wednesday following a sharp debate by members of the Polk County Commission. The fee cuts, which could result in the loss of more than a $1 million in impact fee revenue, were …
School impact fees may shoot up
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 16, 2007
(Seminole) County leaders scheduled a public hearing for October on a proposal to increase the fee on new homes to help pay for school construction. But major questions remain about how the increase is being calculated. County commissioners spent about 45 minutes …
Monforton School looks at impact fees
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – August 16, 2007
No public school in the state has been allowed to collect impact fees from new homes to pay for the facilities needed to serve the students those homes will bring – but Monforton School officials are crossing their fingers they’ll be the first.School officials might soon …
District approves impact fees
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – August 15, 2007
Charlotte County Public Schools will move forward with its impact-fee plan to offset costs for future growth, despite opposition from area builders. The School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to partner with Punta Gorda and the Charlotte County Commission to …
Builders uniting to fight road fee
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – August 15, 2007
Builders are rallying their forces against North Port over a fee they fear could give other cities and counties in Florida a new way to tax development. North Port started collecting a fee in May to fix roads based on square footage of new construction. But the city has …
New Braunfels to appeal fee ruling
San Antonio Express, TX – August 15, 2007
The New Braunfels City Council will ask the Texas Supreme Court to review a 3rd District Court of Appeals ruling this month that the city’s drainage impact fees are invalid. The council huddled with its lawyers in an executive session Monday night to decide whether …
As Martin debates impact fees increase, some question whether …
Stuart News, FL – August 14, 2007
Several civic leaders questioned Tuesday whether Martin County is spending too much money on new roads, fire-rescue stations, libraries and schools. They also questioned whether Martin County should use impact fees to help pay for the Indian Street Bridge …
Ogden will assess impact fees on builders
Salt Lake Tribune, UT – August 14, 2007
Builders of new homes and businesses in the Ogden Valley and western Weber County will now be charged for the added demands on infrastructure, the Weber County Commission decided Tuesday. Revenue from the fees will help the county provide roads, trails, …
Legislation would assess impact fees
Asbury Park Press, NJ – August 14, 2007
Legislation drafted by Assemblyman Michael J. Panter, D-Monmouth, would have impact fees assessed on 300 homes at Naval Weapons Station Earle, should they become available to non-military families, to help pay the $30 million tab for a school that might be needed …
Lee County impact fee debate continues
WALB-TV, GA – August 14, 2007
Lee County commissioners are a step closer to getting rid of controversial impact fees. Tuesday night, commissioners heard the first reading of an ordinance that would repeal impact fees on residential and commercial development instituted a year ago. Some …
Orange Is Out of Step With Growth – and Likes It
WRAL.com, NC – August 13, 2007
Double-digit growth is happening in nearly every corner of the Triangle, but Orange County is not part of the trend, and officials say that is the result of growing smart! The numbers certainly set Orange apart. Population in Wake County is up nearly 26 percent …
Local governments can see way through housing bust
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL – August 13, 2007
Year after year, residential development drove the economy in Palm Coast and Flagler County. In the last 12 months, the bottom dropped out of that engine. No soft landing here. Just a plain crash, judging from school impact fees collected (the one-time fees levied on …
Home sale slump hurts impact fees
Delmarva Daily Times, MD – August 13, 2007
As “for sale” signs continue to line Wicomico County home lawns and condo windows faster than they can be removed, residential builders have changed the county’s construction machine mantra to a wait-and-see approach. At the end of July, the number of active …
Parks rule not looking pretty to developers
Houston Chronicle, TX – August 13, 2007
As details emerged Monday of new requirements for developers to provide land or pay fees for park acquisition and improvements, leaders of development groups said the city was on the verge of imposing an unfair burden on their industry. A draft ordinance …
Finding money for growth
Charlotte Observer, NC – August 12, 2007
An impact fee is paid by a builder for each new home when it’s built. The fee is set by the local government. In some places it varies according to what’s built, with different rates for apartments and single-family houses, for instance. By law, the fee must be used …
City Council changes fees for home additions again
Santa Maria Times, CA – August 11, 2007
The Santa Maria City Council, which recently changed its system of fees charged to developers, further tweaked those revisions last week. The council first updated its developer fee program, called Growth Mitigation Fees, in May with two important changes from …
Resolution Could Revive Road Impact Fees
Springdale Morning News, AR – August 10, 2007
Proposed road impact fees in Fayetteville could get another chance at success with noticeable changes if the City Council passes a resolution Aug. 21. Council member Lioneld Jordan submitted a resolution urging the staff to solicit input from the public, …
Martin County impact fees may double
Stuart News (subscription), FL – August 10, 2007
Hundreds of new homebuyers in Martin County would pay $13,000 extra, if the County Commission approves a proposal to more than double the impact fees on new residential construction. The new impact fee for a 2,000-square-foot house with three bedrooms …
Developer impact fee to be discussed
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX – August 9, 2007
Anticipating a major new ordinance that could help ease traffic congestion in the city, a far north Fort Worth neighborhood group has scheduled an informational meeting Aug. 23 open to all city residents. The North Fort Worth Alliance wants to ensure that …
Big new Geneva area road earns fee discount
Aurora Beacon News, IL – August 9, 2007
What does a developer need to do to get a $3.65 million impact fee discount? The answer is, build a $7.65 million road. That’s what Foxford LLC and Wyndham Deerpoint Homes, developers of The Settlements of LaFox, are going to do. The developers will spend …
Drainage appeal is being considered
San Antonio Express, TX – August 9, 2007
The (New Braunfels) City Council will huddle with its attorneys next week to decide whether to keep fighting to save its drainage impact fee. Since 2005, the city has collected the fee from developers, charging them for impact their projects have on the city’s …
Consultant recommends Martin double impact fee on new-home construction
Stuart News (subscription), FL – August 9, 2007
Martin County is considering doubling the impact fee on a new house to more than $24,000, which would be the second highest in the state. Under a proposal by an economic consultant, the impact fee on a 2,000-square-foot, three-bedroom house would rise to …
Cedar City Council Conducts Public Hearing for Impact Fee Increases
Cedar City Review, UT – August 9, 2007
The Cedar City Council heard a short presentation and then listened to comments during a public hearing on raising impact fees during its July 11 work meeting. Elise Lechtenberg, senior analyst for Lewis, Young, Robertson and Burningham, which is the company …
Madison City Council names members to Impact Fee group
Morgan County Citizen, GA – August 8, 2007
Madison elected officials appointed 10 members and two alternates to a special committee which will meet three times this fall to discuss the city’s upcoming impact fee ordinance. Mayor Tom DuPree outlined the structure of the group, which is specified by state law. Half …
Impact fee strategy changes
Augusta Chronicle, GA – August 8, 2007
Columbia County commissioners voted Tuesday night not to approve $61,000 for a consultant who would have helped establish an impact fee ordinance for the county’s consideration. Commissioners agreed to drop the idea of an impact fee as it is currently established …
County calls for study on development fees
San Bernardino Sun, CA – August 8, 2007
Seventeen years after a failed bid to create developer impact fees in unincorporated areas, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is again tackling the issue. On Tuesday, the board voted unanimously to study how to implement a fee and determine …
City of Yreka asks: To fee or not to fee?
Siskiyou Daily News, CA – August 8, 2007
Tension ran high in the Yreka City Council Chambers last Thursday night when community members packed the auditorium to address city ordinance 795, which sets six impact fees for building permits issued within the city limits. The city has stated that the fees …
Board waives impact fee for non-profit group
Walton Sun, FL – August 8, 2007
At the Aug. 6 South Walton Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners meeting, Michael Grantham requested an exemption of the district’s impact fee for Caring and Sharing of South Walton. Grantham represented Grantham Construction, the company building a metal …
Proposed impact fee reduced
Bakersfield Californian, CA – August 8, 2007
A proposed fee to pay for Bakersfield’s highway projects got smaller this week after city officials decided to apply it to the entire city. That means the new fee, expected to be applied to all new construction, will total $2,487 per home. That’s $378 less than …
Waldron Studies Water Fee
Fort Smith Times Record, AR – August 8, 2007
The Waldron City Council is considering levying a 50-cent fee on water bills to pay for preliminary work associated with building a water source lake with the city of Booneville. A public hearing to receive residents’ comments is planned at 6 p.m. Thursday …
Metro Council may table fees
2TheAdvocate, LA – August 7, 2007
The Metro Council will likely defer a proposed system of traffic impact fees Wednesday, but some city-parish officials say it’s just a matter of time until it becomes reality. The mayor’s chief administrative officer, Walter Monsour, said the mayor doesn’t need Council ….
Impact fees for construction reasonable
Pocono Record, PA – August 7, 2007
Legislation in the state House would finally give fast-growing school districts the means to recoup some of the added educational costs caused by rapid home development, through imposition of impact fees. It also contains incentives to encourage developers …
Money from water hookups dries up as growth slows
Palm Beach Post, FL – August 7, 2007
Providing further proof of the county’s housing slowdown, new connections to Palm Beach County’s water utilities system have plunged over the last year and a half, according to department figures. New residential and commercial hookups dropped from 497 …
Dixon to take second look at increases in impact fee
Vallejo Times-Herald, CA – August 7, 2007
A proposal to raise impact fees from $2.14 to $61.56 per square foot for Interstate 80 development and from $2.14 to $18.236 per square foot for other development will get closer study. “It’s incredible what they’re trying to do,” said Bill Bernheim, part owner of the Dixon …
SB County explores development fee
Press-Enterprise, CA – August 7, 2007
San Bernardino County supervisors are taking a cautious first step toward considering a fee on development to pay for services such as jails, libraries and parks. The Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to commission a study to explore the idea, but it could be 18 to 24 …
Who should pay for roads?
St. Petersburg Times, FL – August 6, 2007
Few people were paying attention when the cost to build a new home in Hillsborough County went up last week, with school impact fees doubling to $4,000 on average. But the debate over the fee is far from over. County officials are eyeing the money as a fight …
Richland seeks financial plan for development
Mid Columbia Tri City Herald, WA – August 6, 2007
The city of Richland is trying to figure out the best way to get developers to pay for road improvements that will be needed in the Queensgate area as more businesses continue to build there. The land between Keene and Kennedy roads, along Truman Avenue to …
Impact fees split schools, home builders
Pocono Record, PA – August 5, 2007
In the 1950s, real estate developer William Levitt turned suburbia into an American staple when he built more than 17,000 cookie-cutter homes in what was then rural lower Bucks County. But Levitt did more than just throw up houses. Recognizing that a community …
Builders question proffers
Richmond Times Dispatch, VA – August 5, 2007
Builders bristle at the mention of cash proffers, money paid to localities for each home they build. They say the fees push the cost of housing higher — and force some prospective homebuyers out of the market. Localities say the money is needed to build and …
North Port OKs slight break for impact fee payment
Charlotte Sun-Herald, FL – August 5, 2007
Commissioners have been debating a need for a change in impact fee collection, largely prompted by the building slow-down. Last week they approved that change, moving the collection of impact fees from the time of permitting to when a Certificate of Occupancy …
Who should pay for growth?
Gainesville Sun, FL – August 4, 2007
The question that doesn’t seem to have an answer is again being debated at Alachua County Commission meetings – does new growth pay for itself? With roads growing ever more crowded and money for them growing ever more scarce, some suggest the question …
Were traffic impact fees spent on the right things?
Bakersfield Californian, CA – August 4, 2007
If you bought a new home in Bakersfield sometime in the past 15 years chances are you entrusted the city of Bakersfield with some of your hard-earned cash to build roads. The money may not have appeared on your mortgage papers. But you can bet it was buried …
House builders should pay for schools, legislators are told
Allentown Morning Call, PA – August 3, 2007
A state committee studying impact fees on developers as a way to help school districts facing a tsunami wave of new students listened to 4 hours of testimony Thursday at a hearing in the Slate Belt. The idea to collect impact fees, money that a school district could …
Group fights impact fees
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 2, 2007
A political action group called for the rollback of impact fees on Wednesday and plans to address the Lake County Board of County Commissioners later this month. Citizens for Better Government, L.L.C., headed by Leesburg businessman Donald Magruder, said …
High-rises lose bid to cut fees
Orlando Sentinel, FL – August 2, 2007
A trio of downtown high-rise developers seeking school impact-fee reductions were shot down Tuesday by Orange County leaders who argued the city’s inner core could someday attract more children. A lawyer for developers behind the Paramount Lake Eola, 55 …
Housing permits sink in Lee, Cape
The News-Press, FL – August 2, 2007
Housing permits in Cape Coral fell to their lowest level in more than a decade in July, according to a city report released Wednesday. Meanwhile, activity in unincorporated Lee County slowed drastically following a surge in June caused by a deadline to avoid the tripling …
Traffic impact fee draws ire
Bakersfield Californian (subscription), CA – August 2, 2007
Bakersfield is almost $1 billion short of what it needs to complete its planned highways, and not many options for making up the money. So City Manager Alan Tandy Thursday proposed a fee on most new development — $2,865 per home, on top of the existing $6,800 …
Builder fee likely for Glendale
Los Angeles Daily News, CA – August 1, 2007
Amid concerns about a soft real estate market, the City Council on Tuesday finalized the details of a proposed fee on local development projects to finance parks and libraries. The draft Development Impact Fee ordinance – considered a watered-down version by at least …
Plaintiffs ask SV for additional $56,000
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, ID – August 1, 2007
On the heels of a recent court ruling effectively ending the city of Sun Valley’s residential workforce housing linkage fee ordinance, plaintiffs Phil and Lynn Schaefer, via their attorney Christopher Meyer, are seeking an additional $56,000 from the city. …
New Study Shows Impact of Government Fees On Home Affordability
MortgageNewsDaily.com, AZ – August 1, 2007
The National Association of Home Builders sponsors an economic publication for the housing industry which publishes at HousingEconomics.com. In mid-July it released a study on Metropolitan Area House Prices and Affordability written by Elliot …
To fit all the kids, fees must fit schools’ need
St. Petersburg Times, FL – August 1, 2007
Of all the unresolved details that surround school concurrency – a bureaucratic term meaning there is an open desk at the local school for your kid when you move into the county – the biggest item is last on the list. That is where you’ll see the bottom line. Who pays …
July permitting slows in Lee after June surge
Naples Daily News, FL – August 1, 2007
After a peak in June caused by a road impact fee deadline, builders slowed their permitting activity in July for unincorporated Lee County, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach. Commercial permitting was valued at $6.8 million in July, following an all-time record value …
City considers compromise
Northwest Herald, IL – August 1, 2007
A residential impact fee discussion went late into the night Tuesday as City Council members struggled to find a balance between attracting development and fairly funding the city’s taxing bodies. The Committee of the Whole meeting had been scheduled to …
Madison impact fees inch closer
Morgan County Citizen, AL – July 31, 2007
City officials moved to establish a local Impact Fee Committee with an eye toward setting up the development fees in Madison, perhaps within the next year or so. “Our target is to have our [committee] kick-off meeting on August 13,” said City Planner JoAnna Hayes …
Tiverton council OKs impact fees on new building permits
Newport Daily News, RI – July 31, 2007
Building permits that are taken on or after Oct. 31 for new dwelling units with two or more bedrooms will be assessed an impact fee of $3,593 to help Tiverton pay back the elementary school construction bond. In future years, the cost to enlarge or replace other …
Road impact fees will reappear before council
Northwest Arkansas Times, AR – July 31, 2007
The Fayetteville City Council will revisit road impact fees, Ward 4 Alderman Lioneld Jordan announced at a ward meeting Monday. Jordan said City Attorney Kit Williams will draft a resolution on the topic, which was defeated by a single vote in April. A simple …
What are impact fees?
Cherokee Sentinel, NC – July 31, 2007
Yes, I hear all of you wondering if I am completely out of my mind. First, zoning and ridge laws and now impact fees. Well, just read on and think about things. And think how much this county is growing and how fast. Ask yourself what you want Cherokee County …
Tyrone begins refunding impact fees
The Citizen.com, GA – July 30, 2007
The town of Tyrone this summer became the first municipality in the county to give back money to builders who do business in the town. The reason is because the town failed to follow through on its plans for a new police station and town hall that was part of Tyrone’s …
Vision, not just a view
Lake Sun Leader, MO – July 30, 2007
THE QUESTION: Should the county government consider limits or a moratorium on lakefront development? Nah, I love seeing these beautiful hills blown to smithereens, all those trees erased from the landscape, and then all of those unnatural and architectural …
Helping pay for schools
Orlando Sentinel, FL – July 28, 2007
In 1992, Seminole County imposed an impact fee on new development to help pay for school construction. Since then building costs have risen sharply, but the impact fee is stuck at the same level. Seminole’s School Board has proposed raising the fee and …
How other states cope with school growth
The Tribune-Democrat, PA – July 28, 2007
Pennsylvania isn’t the only state grappling with schools construction debts. Here’s what other states are doing: • In Florida, Orange County imposes a $7,000 impact fee on each new home. Collected funds pay for new school buildings. • Elsewhere in Florida, …
Hearing set Monday on new impact fees
Providence Journal, RI – July 27, 2007
A public hearing on brand new impact fees — intended to offset the cost of capital improvements to public services resulting from future development — is expected to dominate a special (Tiverton) Town Council meeting Monday night. The meeting will also address …
Sprinklers Could Have Saved Nine Firefighters
Contractor Mag, IL – July 27, 2007
A fire sprinkler system would have saved lives in a furniture store and warehouse inferno that occurred June 18 here, fire sprinkler advocates said. The Sofa Super Store did not have fire sprinklers. Nine firefighters died battling the blaze. According to both the …
Taxes may replace fees for Fountain developers
Colorado Springs Gazette, CO – July 27, 2007
Fountain leaders are expected to create a special taxing district soon to pay for improvements in new areas of the ever-growing city. Instead of paying impact fees, developers who annex land into the city would agree to join the district, whose residents …
Debate over ‘impact fees’ heats up
Birmingham Business Journal, AL – July 27, 2007
Birmingham isn’t escaping the hot national debate over impact and regulatory fees imposed on builders. A new report from the National Association of Home Builders shows some localities around the country are making homes less affordable by imposing …
Towns, Kaneland reach agreement on ‘school impact’ development fees
Aurora Beacon News, IL – July 26, 2007
The Kaneland School Board has given its final approval on an intergovernmental agreement establishing a “school impact payment” on future developer annexations. Village presidents and trustees from Elburn, Sugar Grove, Montgomery, Maple Park, Cortland, …
Commissioners split on land-transfer tax
Charlotte Observer, NC – July 25, 2007
Commissioners split on land-transfer tax 4 Mecklenburg Dems back measure, but 4 from GOP opposed A proposed tax on real estate sales strongly opposed by the real estate industry is expected to find partisan support among Mecklenburg County commissioners. …
Rogers Committee Tables Impact Fee Reduction Proposal
Springdale Morning News, AR – July 25, 2007
There will be no reduced water and sewer service impact fees in Rogers, at least for now. The Rogers City Council Transportation Committee tabled indefinitely a proposed ordinance establishing lower development impact fees for the Residential Affordable Housing …
Water, wastewater plan laid out for residents
Bethany Beach Wave, DE – July 25, 2007
The town of Millsboro is trying to put the water troubles of the past behind them and move on, but in order to do that, they have a monumental project in front of them. The proposed plan to improve the current water and wastewater situation in the town that is …
Ave Maria homeowners could see impact fees deferred
Naples Daily News, FL – July 25, 2007
It appears that homeowners at Ave Maria won’t be excluded from a countywide program that defers impact fees to make homes more affordable. A majority of Collier County commissioners on Tuesday said they didn’t see any reason not to consider applications …
Polk Commission OKs Impact Fee Waiver in Winter Haven Core
The Ledger, FL – July 25, 2007
Polk County commissioners voted 4-1 this morning to lift impact fees for an area stretching from Florence Villa in the north to the Lake Lulu/Lake Shipp canal on the south. Commissioner Jean Reed voted against the proposal, saying that the area was too large. …
Marana plans another impact fee
Explorer News, AZ – July 25, 2007
Marana, which already charges the highest development impact fees in the region, has plans for another one. The town will use the Northeast Benefit Area impact fee to pay for transportation improvements along Tangerine Road and Camino de Mañana. The …
Sun Valley to refund in-lieu fees
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, ID – July 25, 2007
The city of Sun Valley agreed on Thursday, July 19, it would refund the $363,348 of in-lieu fees collected under the now-defunct Workforce Housing Linkage Fee since Ordinance 364 was passed in 2005. “I am sorely disappointed that this tool, this single tool for …
Editorial: Drawing the line
News & Observer, NC – July 24, 2007
A perfect stranger coming through North Carolina and reading Governor Mike Easley’s comments about the legislature and a real estate transfer tax could have deduced, without coaching, that the governor isn’t running for re-election. (Obviously, he can’t seek a …
Lee impact fees could soon be no more
WALB-TV, GA – July 24, 2007
A year ago Lee County leaders started charging impact fees for residential and business development. Now they say they may need to do away with those fees to attract more development. A North Carolina company wants to build a distribution center in …
YC impact fees may jump
Appeal-Democrat, CA – July 23, 2007
Proposed Yuba City impact fees on new commercial, industrial and office buildings could cause current fees to quintuple. Estimates presented Monday at a Yuba City City Council study session show a sharp increase in proposed fees. Fees on a 10,000-square-foot …
Towns now together on fees
Chicago Daily Herald, IL – July 22, 2007
Seven towns will sign on to the Kaneland School District’s plans for the same developer impact fees Monday. “It’s not really a change in the concept, now we just have everybody on board,” said Kaneland School Board president Lisa Wiet. In the past, the district …
Builders may need to help fund public art
Miami Herald, FL – July 22, 2007
Builders of commercial or multi-family projects in Coral Gables may soon have to include art in their budgets — if not in their plans. A new law given preliminary approval by city commissioners Tuesday would require private developers to earmark 1 percent …
Florida cities and counties raising fees to offset losses from property tax cuts
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL – July 21, 2007
Cities and counties across Florida are tightening their belts as they face a state-ordered cut in property-tax collections ranging as high as 9 percent this year. But local governments are finding other ways to tap into residents’ wallets. Scores are slapping higher fees …
Traffic impact fee gears up
Red Bluff Daily News, CA – July 21, 2007
The Fix 5 Partnership is getting closer to presenting its Phase 1 fee program. The Interstate 5 Fee Program study was undertaken early this year by a joint task force of 10 Tehama and Shasta county agencies. What it aims to do with the two-year study of the …
New Fees Could Raise Price Of New Homes In Fresno
ABC30.com, CA – July 21, 2007
Fresno County Supervisors are considering new impact fees, and you could pay several thousand dollars more for the purchase of a new home. If approved the increased impact fees would generate as much as an extra $20 million a year. The fees would help pay for …
Pursue fee alternatives
St. George Daily Spectrum, UT – July 20, 2007
It is acknowledged that impact fees serve a purpose. They pay for infrastructure needs from homeowners moving into the community, which unburdens the taxpayer from having to fund more water, sewer, transportation, public safety, among other vital services. …
City’s impact fees low, but are they legal?
Farmington Daily Times, NM – July 20, 2007
The city of Farmington has ignored a state law charging developers impact fees, a home builder pointed out this month. Officials admitted they don’t follow the law, but said the city’s impact fees are low compared to other communities. They pledged to begin the …
Fresno Supervisors Consider Increase in Impact Fees
ABC30.com, CA – July 20, 2007
Supervisors scraped as many dollars as they could out of the budget and one suggestion was new impact fees. If they’re approved, it could mean you pay several thousand dollars more on the purchase of a new home. Board members will be looking at raising impact …
Clash of the consultants: How much for roads?
Orlando Sentinel, FL – July 19, 2007
Despite developers’ challenges against proposed road-impact-fee hikes, the county is sticking by a study that backs the large increase. County officials met Wednesday with representatives from the Home Builders Association of Lake County to hash out …
County looking to bump impact fees
Florida Weekly, Florida – July 19, 2007
A new study of impact fees for community and regional parks in Lee County proposes an increase of about 45 percent, due mostly to significant increases in the market value of land and the cost of construction and insurance. The study by Duncan Associates, …
Marana weighs impact fee to pay for projected roads
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – July 19, 2007
In an effort to pay for roads even before they exist, Marana is considering imposing a transportation impact fee on a part of town it expects will be among its fastest-growing. If approved, new homes built in the Northeast Benefit Area would include an impact fee …
Metro Council to debate traffic tax proposal next week
LSU The Reveille, LA – July 19, 2007
A proposal to assess fees for traffic impact on all new developments within the city-parish will go before the East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council on Wednesday where the proposal is expected to face steep opposition and heated debate. Pete Newkirk, …
Even Modest Impact Fees Can Take A Big Toll On Housing Affordability
National Association of Home Builders (press release), DC – July 19, 2007
Even as the housing market correction continues to exert downward pressure on new home prices, localities continue to push forward with new fees and regulations that will further erode housing affordability, according to a new study released by the National …
Impact and Linkage Fees Public Workshop
EmeraldCoast.com, FL – July 19, 2007
A public workshop on the topic of Impact and Linkage Fees will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 23 in the Destin City Hall Annex. The City’s current impact fees are 10 percent of the average charged by Florida cities and counties, and they cover only a portion …
Cedar City raises fees, and ire of homebuilders
Salt Lake Tribune, UT – July 19, 2007
The Cedar City Council voted last night to more than double its impact fees. In doing so, the council also raised the hackles of area homebuilders. The Spectrum newspaper reports today that the council’s 3-2 vote to raise the fees 116 percent immediately …
Impact fees: assessment report given to board
Jones County News, GA – July 19, 2007
Jones County commissioners were updated on the progress of the study of impact fees at a workshop, which preceded their meeting last week. Bill Ross of Ross and Associates gave board members a copy of the Impact Fee Assessment Report completed …
Impact fees on the way
Verde Independent, AZ – July 19, 2007
Effective Oct. 17, all new developments in Cottonwood will have to pay impact fees on water and wastewater connections. A second and final reading of Ordinance 506, creating impact fees, was read Tuesday. The impact fee schedule follows a year’s worth of …
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Rogers Hookup Fees
Springdale Morning News, AR – July 18, 2007
Rogers Water Utilities can continue collecting increased water and sewer hookup fees after a judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the fees. Benton County Circuit Judge David Clinger ruled Wednesday morning hearing that Monarch Development, its principal …
County Supervisors OK park fee hike
El Dorado Hills Telegraph, CA – July 18, 2007
Following six months of bargaining between El Dorado Hills Community Services District and county officials, the Board of Supervisors finally signed off on a park fee increase. Owners of new single-family homes in EDH, for example, can now expect to pay $9,807 …
Bonita council talks impact fee increases
Naples Daily News, FL – July 18, 2007
Plan to build a sit-down restaurant, bank or daycare center in Bonita Springs later this year? Prepare to pay more in impact fees. If the Bonita Springs City Council finalizes a new fee schedule a consultant is recommending, road impact fees for those types of buildings will …
Impact fees ‘…all about equity’
Morgan County Citizen, GA – July 18, 2007
The Madison City Council convened in a regular meeting Monday and conducted city business amidst tornado warning sirens, power outages and the constant report of thunder. Between interruptions, the council heard a presentation by Bill Ross of Bill Ross, …
Bonita plans to charge new development more
The News-Press, FL – July 18, 2007
Building in Bonita Springs is going to cost more beginning in November. The City Council approved an impact fee study today that is the first step in changing what the city charges developers. Impact fees are a one-time charge to new development. …
Businesses, builders decry impact fee hike
Gainesville Sun, FL – July 18, 2007
Developers, builders and business owners told Alachua County commissioners at a packed workshop Tuesday that proposed impact-fee increases will stymie growth and hurt the economy. Some of the transportation fees, particularly those for businesses that …
Trustees want firm to conduct study
Kane County Chronicle, IL – July 17, 2007
Village trustees want to make sure that growth pays for itself. Trustees are looking to hire a firm to conduct an impact fee study. “We want to make sure we are still keeping up with the cost of our growth,” North Aurora management analyst Wes Kornowske said. …
When the rubber hits the road
Ocala Star-Banner, FL – July 15, 2007
Tax-weary citizens are surely enjoying the belt-tightening that local governments are undergoing in response to the Legislature’s mandated cuts in city and county property taxes. But as we’ve stated from the start of the tax-reform debate, property-tax …
Editorial: Times are tough for builders but fees must be maintained
Naples Daily News, FL – July 15, 2007
The timing is horrible. With the region’s construction industry in a prolonged downturn, few people take any pleasure in even thinking about raising impact fees on new construction to pay for roads, utilities, libraries, parks, etc. Though price alone is not driving …
New Lenox trustees, builders debate impact fees
Joliet Herald News, IL – July 15, 2007
School, park and library districts will benefit, but developers are balking. Village officials want to collect impact fees from developers when a building permit is issued rather than upfront when the plan is approved. This could have some builders paying more …
City, county shun well-used way to help parks
Charlotte Observer, NC – July 14, 2007
If you believe in parks … If you believe in greenways … If you believe in the need for public playing fields for baseball, soccer, tennis and other sports … If you believe that in a city everyone, regardless of income, needs access to natural places … Then …
County posts big rise in impact fees in 2006
Hernando Today, FL – July 14, 2007
A decrease in impact fees is being blamed for delays in completing improvements to Elgin Boulevard, Deltona Boulevard and other key roads throughout Hernando County. But, according to information supplied by the county clerk’s office, impact fees across the …
Housing getting costlier to pay to house bad guys
Mercury-Register, CA – July 12, 2007
Providing housing for bad guys is going to make buying a newly-constructed home in Butte County a bit more expensive. Tuesday the Butte County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an increased “jail impact” fee. The increased fee will go from the …
Fee will help Montverde pay for water plant
Orlando Sentinel, FL – July 12, 2007
The (Montverde) Town Council has approved a large impact fee to help cover the cost of a proposed water plant. New homes and businesses that hook up to the town utility will have to pay $4,532 each. The new plant planned near County Road 455 and Fosgate …
Okaloosa County opts against impact fees
The Northwest Florida Daily News, FL – July 12, 2007
Impact fees will not be instituted in Okaloosa County for the foreseeable future. Commissioners have decided not to go forward with a $90,000 study by MuniFinancial that would have looked at the feasibility of implementing impact fees. “The people in this county …
County, cities inch closer to new road levy
Beaverton Valley Times, OR – July 12, 2007
Washington County leaders generally agree that it’s time to ask voters if they’re willing to sign off on initiatives to improve roads. On Monday, members of the Washington County Coordinating Committee – comprised of mayors, county commissioners, city councilors …
City mulls fee to pay for street repairs
The Beaverton Valley Times, OR – July 12, 2007
The city is considering a funding plan that would help pave the way for needed small transportation projects across Beaverton. That plan could include implementing an additional street systems development charge for new projects. Beaverton’s City Council voted Monday …
Builders may pay more for Lee parks
The News-Press, FL – July 11, 2007
A 40-acre site in Pine Island sits empty. To clear the exotic Brazilian pepper and melaleuca trees to make way for a park, people might have to pay more to build a home, hotel or motel next year in Lee County. County officials are considering a 45 percent increase …
High fees force more homebuilding out of town, SAHBA says
Explorer News, AZ – July 11, 2007
Oro Valley and Marana are leading the way when it comes to government fees for new homes, according to numbers released by the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association. SAHBA announced the numbers in their July 2007 newsletter, claiming the high …
Marana seeks public input on habitat conservation
Explorer News, AZ – July 11, 2007
Since 2002, Marana has worked on a plan to protect habitats for endangered species while allowing developers to avoid liability for any harm that comes to the animals as a result of development. The give-and-take scenario would allow developers to build in certain …
Impact fees likely most effective for intersection improvements, park additions
Anderson Independent Mail, SC – July 11, 2007
Impact fees could make the biggest impact in Anderson County if used to correct intersections and fund parks and recreation projects, according to a preliminary report presented this week.County officials hired TischlerBise, a consulting from Bethesda, Md., to study …
Tough subdivision regulations a step in right direction
Daily News Journal, TN – July 11, 2007
It’s a long time coming, but Rutherford County planners are making the right move with proposals for developers to contribute toward road projects and, possibly, schools. The Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission unanimously adopted a new set of …
North Port will keep its road fee
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – July 10, 2007
Despite two lawsuits, North Port will keep charging a per-square-foot fee to builders for the damage that construction trucks do to city roads. On Monday, the City Commission voted 3-2 against repealing a “construction traffic road fee” that has North Port embroiled in …
SV housing ord. ruled unconstitutional
Sun Valley Online.com, ID – July 10, 2007
Fifth District Judge Robert Elgee last Tuesday, July 3, ruled the City of Sun Valley’s Workforce Housing Ordinance #364 unconstitutional since the Idaho Legislature has not authorized collection of taxes to support construction of workforce housing. Elgee said the in-lieu …
Senate president skips builders dinner due to Web site comment
Naples Daily News, FL – July 10, 2007
Lee, Collier, Charlotte and DeSoto County builders will honor State Sen. Mike Bennett with a dinner at the posh Sanibel Harbor Resort tonight, but the event might be as remarkable for who’s not there as for who is. Invitations distributed weeks ago listed Senate …
The Coming Crash in Impact Fees
California Planning & Development Report – July 10, 2007
There’s a downturn in the real estate development market. Does that mean we’ll soon see cities in California cutting development impact fees as well? The pressure is building. Development projects that made economic sense a year or two ago – even with high impact …
Road fee challenge tossed out
Calaveras Enterprise, CA – July 10, 2007
Calaveras County’s 2004 ordinance charging developers a fee to help cover the costs of road improvements has survived a legal challenge brought by the builders of a Valley Springs shopping center. Visiting Superior Court Judge Duane Martin issued his ruling June 29 …
Alachua County is frugal with its use of impact fees
Gainesville Sun, FL – July 9, 2007
Are impact fees a cash cow (Sun editorial, June 29) or a vital part of Florida’s growth management law? In 2005, the Florida Legislature passed the so-called “pay-as-you-grow” growth management law. The legislation created a 15-member advisory body, …
Builders leading anti-fee charge
Orlando Sentinel, FL – July 8, 2007
Commissioners wrangling with proposals to boost impact fees for new development won’t find a shortage of concerns — or studies — over whether the hikes would stymie Lake’s growth and hurt its economy. The latest study released last week by a local business group …
Miramar increases developer permit fees
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, FL – July 8, 2007
Developers and private home builders will have to pay much more for building and engineering permits from the city. The City Commission on Tuesday approved a proposal that almost doubles permit costs for some commercial projects and almost triples them for some …
Fees to build a house in Gilbert will increase
Arizona Republic, AZ – July 8, 2007
It’s going to cost more to build a house in Gilbert starting July 16 when new city fees take effect. It’ll cost $15,968 in fees to build a single-family home in Gilbert, up from $14,633. Gilbert has charged system-development fees, also known as impact fees in other …
Collier impact fees are rising; builders wonder if many houses will go up
Naples Daily News, FL – July 7, 2007
The cost of impact fees in Collier County will be going up in 2008. Collier commissioners recently approved a new indexing study that will raise every impact fee in the county. Indexing an impact fee means the cost of the fees will adjust to factors such as inflation. …
Ordinance altered: Amendment reduces fees for homes smaller than 1,200 sq feet
Benton County Daily Record, AR – July 7, 2007
When the (Rogers) City Council granted approval to development impact fees for water and sewer hookups, they did so on the condition that the ordinance would be altered to protect lowincome homebuyers from being shut out of the American dream by …
Charleston Water System to drop connection fees
The Post and Courier, SC – July 7, 2007
Charleston Water System officials plan to drop the utility’s controversial connection fees for automated sprinkler lines, hoping that lower costs will encourage more people to install the fire-protection systems. Under a new rate plan announced Friday, …
Homebuilders: We’re very sorry
Palm Beach Post, FL – July 6, 2007
Four days after explaining on its Web site that it would give political contributions only to those legislators, candidates and political groups who support a bill limiting impact fees, the Florida Home Builders Association Friday issued an apology. A new statement from …
Montverde awaits water-plant vote
Orlando Sentinel, FL – July 6, 2007
New (Monteverde) residents may be forced to pay huge impact fees to cover the cost of a new water plant. The town has operated for years with two aging water plants to serve more than 650 customers. The utility is reaching its limits, and some worry what …
Kaneland towns agree to set common impact fees
Aurora Beacon News, IL – July 6, 2007
Communities in the Kaneland School District have reached an intergovernmental agreement establishing “school impact payments” on future annexations to defray the cost of educating and housing students. “This is probably the first agreement of its kind and …
City Rebating $31K In Fees But Still Wants To Raise Them
Tecumseh Countywide News, OK – July 6, 2007
The City of Shawnee will refund almost $31,000 to contractors and others who paid inflated water and sewer tap fees over the past six months, city commissioners agreed this week. But then the city will go back to the drawing boards to try to find a more sensible …
Pulling Back The Curtain
The Ledger, FL – July 5, 2007
If there were ever any doubt about the link between certain campaign contributions and an expectation of the donor that it was meant to buy favors with the candidate/legislator, the curtain has been pulled back. There have been whispers about how the …
Transit impact overhaul approved
Pittsburgh Post Gazette, PA – July 5, 2007
Dick Donley, a longtime land developer in Cranberry, couldn’t help but admire the “genius” of township supervisors when they began last year to plan for an overhaul of the township’s transportation impact fee. “They put everyone on the committee who would have …
City updates water, sewer impact fees
Savannah Morning News, GA – July 5, 2007
City Council on Monday approved an updated water and sewer facilities impact fee ordinance. The ordinance imposes fees on land development in the city for providing water and sewer infrastructure needed by such developments. Fees range from $1,182 per unit …
Gables close to applying city’s first impact fees on developers
Miami Today, FL – July 4, 2007
To offset the costs of development on the community, Coral Gables officials plan to begin levying impact fees on developers in the fall that could add as much as $13,751 to the cost of building a single-family home and $6,949 per high-rise residential unit. Some …
Smart Steps
The INDsider, LA – July 4, 2007
The answer was a “sewer tie-in” or impact fee, something Lafayette developers have been resisting since the idea arose out of a trip members of the Lafayette Planning Commission took to Lincoln, Nebraska last November. While Lafayette Parish continues to …
Who should pay impact fees for growth?
The Daily Advertiser, LA – July 3, 2007
Rapid growth in Lafayette Parish has spawned a debate over who’ll pay for the stress of sprawl – taxpayers or developers. Some cities and parishes in Louisiana have put at least some of the responsibility on developers with an impact fee, which pays for new roads, …
Impact fee threat? What impact fee threat?
Palm Beach Post, FL – July 3, 2007
The Florida Home Builders Association Tuesday removed from its Web site a statement linking political contributions to sponsorship of legislation limiting impact fees, which the group supports. The 400-word “President’s Message” by John Wiseman was pulled …
Builders tie contributions to impact-fee cap
Palm Beach Post – FL – July 2, 2007
The Florida Home Builders Association threatened on its Web site today to withhold contributions to incumbent legislative candidates who do not sponsor legislation it wants on impact fees. The group is seeking caps on what it calls “skyrocketing impact fees” by local …
Nolensville approves new road impact fees
Tennessean.com, TN – July 2, 2007
Last week, as Alderman Jimmy Alexander pointed out, was a good time to buy a house in Nolensville. That’s because home prices are likely to go up now that the town is charging one of the Midstate’s highest road impact fees on new development. Nolensville’s …
Boca Raton: City changes impact fees for home additions
Palm Beach Post, FL – July 2, 2007
The City Council has changed the square-footage threshold for when it charges a Parks and Recreation Impact Fee to residents who want to add onto their homes. Before the change, a homeowner adding 600 square feet or more of space would have been required …
Fire districts look into special assessments
Naples News, FL – July 1, 2007
Shortly after state legislators approved a 3 percent tax rollback and before Gov. Charlie Crist signed it into law, fire chiefs around Collier County received a note from Big Corkscrew Island Fire Chief Rita Greenberg. She wrote that she’s gathering a list of government …
Kaneland on verge of fee
Kane County Chronicle, IL – June 30, 2007
Kaneland school officials are one municipality short of completing a districtwide intergovernmental impact fee agreement among their seven growing communities. Sugar Grove already has included portions of the agreement into a revised annexation agreement …
Rutherford should revive impact study for better planning
Daily News Journal, TN – June 30, 2007
For the sake of good planning, Rutherford County needs to revive a proposal to determine the impact of new subdivisions on services such as roads and schools. In 2006, members of the Rutherford County Regional Planning Commission were considering a method …
Subdivision gets sewer at first price
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA – June 29, 2007
For Phenix City, it was a case of keeping promises. Goat Harris subdivision residents had been promised a sanitary sewer system for $4,500 per home, plus fees when the city began work in the neighborhood nearly two years ago. But when the work was done …
Town OKs park impact fee
Indianapolis Star, IN – June 29, 2007
New homes in Plainfield will get a little more expensive beginning next year with a new tax to help expand the town’s parks. The Town Council on Monday approved an impact fee of $850 to be paid by the builder or developer applying for a building permit for a new home. …
Milking the Cash Cow
Gainesville Sun, F – June 29, 2007
In the middle of a lively exchange about impact fees during Tuesday’s Alachua County Commission meeting, Mike Bylerly spilled the beans. Responding to Lee Pinkoson’s concerns that proposed impact fee increases are too excessive, Byerly retorted: “The point is that …
Developers would pay. City would use proceeds for to acquire land for parks.
The Express Times, PA – June 29, 2007
The city (Bethlehem) would receive hundreds of thousands of dollars for recreation if council passed a law levying a fee on developers of $1,500 per new home. But the money can’t be used to pay parks and recreation staff or for recreation programming. State law …
OV to phase in impact fees
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – June 28, 2007
Oro Valley won’t hit developers with dramatically increased water-connection fees in September, but will instead phase them in over five years, the Town Council decided last week. Months of contention ended with a compromise between the town and the …
City impact fees get initial go ahead
Coral Gables Gazette, FL – June 28, 2007
If Coral Gables developers and builders felt a surge of electricity materialize in the late afternoon June 26 it likely wasn’t from any lightning or thunderstorms but instead the shock emanating from City Hall as the City Commissioners gave their initial approval to a new …
Businesses say they’re saddled by city’s fees
Sherwood Gazette, OR – June 28, 2007
Sherwood’s new System Development Charges create transportation fees three times more expensive than surrounding cities. Businesses are calling it excessive, but city officials say they’re working to make development pay its own way when it comes to the extra traffic …
Poll: Impact fees best way to pay for schools
Triangle Business Journal, NC – June 27, 2007
The best way to pay for schools, Triangle Business Journal readers say, is to pass on the costs to those building new homes. Between June 20 and June 27, visitors to TBJ’s Web site were asked, “What is the best way to fund growth in the Triangle’s K-12 schools?” …
Prince William seeks to impose impact fees on planned houses
Examiner.com – June 26, 2007
A battle is brewing over proposed impact fees that can bring Northern Virginia counties millions of dollars to help accommodate growth. The Prince William County Board of Supervisors plans to impose the impact fees on 50,000 houses that have been …
Officials will ask to defer fee increase
2TheAdvocate, LA – June 25, 2007
City-parish officials said Monday they intend to ask for a deferral of a controversial proposal to increase traffic-impact fees in East Baton Rouge. Walter Monsour, the mayor’s chief administrative officer, said he wants additional time to meet with homebuilders and real …
Lady Lake eyes library fee
Orlando Sentinel, FL – June 25, 2007
Town officials could take a page out of Mount Dora’s book. Lake County commissioners last week awarded Mount Dora $250,000 from county library-impact fees even though new homes built in the city don’t contribute to the fund. Officials in Lady Lake, which has …
Without impact fee increases in North Port, street work and other plans will slow
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – June 23, 2007
The city might have to delay widening Sumter Boulevard, building two new fire stations and finishing the Garden of the Five Senses park if it delays planned impact fee hikes, city engineer Pat Collins said Friday. North Port is considering putting off increases in its impact …
August vote on growth planned
Charlotte Observer, NC – June 21, 2007
The actual vote won’t happen for two months, but the outcome seemed clear Monday: Lincoln County ultimately will get a new growth-management program. A public hearing on the proposed adequate public facilities program drew several critics, led by …
County Approves Impact Fee Hike
The Ledger, FL – June 21, 2007
Construction prices are going up and so are impact fees, the (Polk) County Commission voted 4-1 on Wednesday. Commissioners approved a resolution that, for the first time, imposes an across-the-board 3.3 percent indexing increase to make sure the fees will pay …
Panel mulls impact fees
2TheAdvocate, LA – June 20, 2007
A Metro Council panel gave a cool reception Wednesday to a proposed traffic impact fee that could increase the cost of a new home in East Baton Rouge Parish by an average of $732. The impact fee is aimed at making new developments pay a fair share of the …
County to Consider Impact Fee Increase
The Ledger, FL – June 20, 2007
Taxes may be going down this year, but impact fees could be going up. Today the (Polk) County Commission is scheduled to consider a resolution adopting the annual indexing of impact fees. The vote would raise an estimated $1.5 million more in 2008 than in 2007. …
Gopher tortoises protected
Branford News, FL – June 20, 2007
Construction of a manufacturing plant in Genoa has been delayed because part of the site is home to several gopher tortoises. As a threatened species, gophers are protected. Their classification was recently upgraded from species of special concern to threatened, …
Council head questions raise of impact fee
Examiner.com, MD – June 20, 2007
Doubling impact taxes — as is suggested in Montgomery County’s Planning Board-endorsed growth policy — doesn’t make sense considering the unevenness of development across the county, the Montgomery County Council president said Tuesday. …
Making an impact
Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, LA – June 19, 2007
After four years of discussion and planning, a proposal to assess traffic impact fees on every new development in the city-parish will go before the Metro Council later this month. Supporters of the plan, which include local developers, say the impact fees would spread …
Commissioners revisit issue of Adequate Public Facilities Plan
The Lincoln Tribune, NC – June 19, 2007
It’s the second time around for a program commissioners tabled last year. Lincoln County leaders are taking a look at a program they think is designed to curb and manage growth in Lincoln County. Homebuilders and real estate agents, meantime, see the …
North Port decides to delay impact fee hike
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – June 19, 2007
Acting against the advice of a paid consultant and the city manager, city commissioners agreed Monday to postpone a scheduled hike in impact fees and to shave more than $700,000 off a proposed medical development. The decisions, made during a budget workshop, …
Fort Pierce seeks more information on impact fee issue
Stuart News, FL – June 19, 2007
Libraries and parks are filling up. Boat ramps are overcrowded. Existing housing developments like Harbour Isle sit empty. Those are some of the things city commissioners took into consideration Monday night when grappling with whether to start imposing city …
County impact fee study on hold
Helena Independent Record, MT – June 19, 2007
The Broadwater County Commission on Monday postponed deciding whether to proceed with an impact fee study until emergency response agencies in the county meet Thursday to discuss it. Broadwater County Planner Shawn Higley of WWC Engineering …
Impact fees for Elwood?
Joliet Herald News, IL – June 18, 2007
Manhattan Trustee James Doyle crossed village lines Wednesday night to attend an Elwood village board meeting. Doyle, the former mayor of Manhattan, came to stress the importance of adding a library impact fee to the funds collected when permits are …
Impact fees
EmeraldCoast.com, FL – June 18, 2007
Bonifay has lower impact fees for new construction within city limits thanks to an ordinance amendment passed by the City Council last week. Ordinance 350, known as the Regional Water and Sewer System Impact Fee, was amended to reduce …
Fort Pierce might add impact fees for improvements
Stuart News, FL – June 17, 2007
Anticipating a significant increase in growth over the next 15 years, city officials are on the brink of imposing impact fees in addition to what the county charges to pay for new development — fees that undoubtedly will be passed on from developers to residents. …
Fire station cost grows
Appleton Post Crescent, WI – June 15, 2007
The (Grand Chute) Town Board is scheduled to take action on a $4.5 million fire station project plan Tuesday. That’s $1 million beyond the funding that town electors approved for the project in April. Town Administrator Mark Rohloff said the proposed construction …
Who foots the bill for our new roads?
Reno Gazette Journal, NV – June 14, 2007
Transportation officials want to sharply increase fees paid by developers for road projects, which builders say could drive up the cost of new homes and further damage an ailing housing industry. Road-impact fees assessed for new single-family homes in the …
Londonderry councilors adopt impact fee changes
Union Leader, NH – June 14, 2007
The town council last night adopted amendments to the town’s zoning ordinance in the area of impact fees, which are one-time fees paid by developers who build in town. The changes concern school and fire impact fees only, marking the first time school …
Financing growth
The Independent Weekly, NC – June 13, 2007
Remember that “ticking time bomb of gridlock” that our Raleigh transportation planning guru Ed Johnson warned us about? Ed said it’s due in 2030, but I was in it Sunday on I-40 going to Chapel Hill (three-car accident, nothing moving east or or west), which gave …
Fee on new homes would pay for parks
Indianapolis Star, IN – June 13, 2007
The Plainfield Town Council has taken the first step toward imposing an $850 fee on each new home to help pay for the town’s growing network of parks and trails. An eight-page ordinance to create a park impact fee was introduced Monday night, with further action and …
When it rains … Arlington
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX – June 12, 2007
Few Arlington residents or business operators are aware that a modest fee for surface water runoff management is levied on every water bill. They also probably don’t know that this fee doesn’t raise nearly enough money to take care of some of the City’s more …
City to make impact-fee-expansion case
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – June 12, 2007
Tucson has long had a mantra of making growth pay for itself. The Tucson City Council will try to add police, fire and public facilities to the list of impact fees growth will pay for at a public hearing tonight. New housing and commercial construction construction already …
Hampton appoints impact fee committee
Henry Herald, GA – June 12, 2007
Hampton city officials have formed a five-member impact fee advisory committee to help the mayor and council decide if they should charge additional impact fees for public safety, parks and recreation. Ross & Associates, an Atlanta firm tht creates impact fee proposals …
Copperopolis Road Fee Debated
MyMotherLode.com, CA – June 12, 2007
A proposal to raise road fees paid by developers in Copperopolis was met with much opposition Tuesday in the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors chambers. The increases are part of an update to the Copperopolis Roadway Impact Fee proam, The update says …
$39291 new-home impact fee proposed
Appeal-Democrat, CA – June 12, 2007
A City Council ad-hoc committee from Yuba City will recommend that the city charge nearly $40,000 in impact fees for each new home built in the city. Yuba City City Council members Rory Ramirez and Leslie McBride, who comprise an ad-hocommittee that has …
Cape leaders vote down impact fee hike
WBBH, FL – June 12, 2007
The state’s special session on property taxes put Cape Coral leaders on edge. A fee used to pay for growth was voted down for the first time in five years. Cape leaders say it’s all about timing. But Monday night, they said it’s a bad time to increase road impact fees …
Swap transit tax for roads tax? State pols scoff
Charlotte Observer, NC – June 9, 2007
I’ve heard people toss off the suggestion as if it’s as easy as flipping the radio from FM to AM: Kill the sales tax that pays for light rail, they say. Then get a sales tax to build more roads. You’ll probably hear that more and more in the next five months, since there …
Fayetteville Officials Ponder Tough Fiscal Road
Springdale Morning News, AR – June 7, 2007
The dry-erase board quickly filled with hopes and dreams as the Fayetteville City Council listed its priorities on Thursday. But the workshop wasn’t all good news. With an uncertain fiscal future, city staff and elected officials spent more than three hours …
Councilman Pledges To Revive Road Impact Fee Issue
Springdale Morning News – June 7, 2007
Lioneld Jordan has been down this road before, but this time the Fayetteville City Council member hopes for new allies. “I’ll be bringing the road impact fees back,” Jordan said Thursday during a half-day planning session for the City Council. Proposed impact …
Fees to fund OV water development
Explorer News, AZ – June 7, 2007
New building construction costs in Oro Valley are likely to spike dramatically in the near future. Increases stem from proposals to retool impact fees that town officials hope will cover costs for building new water infrastructure. Money …
Pros, cons of impact fees heard
Montrose Daily Press, CO – June 7, 2007
A low level of service can negatively impact quality of life in Montrose County. While good services cost money, impact fees could be just the ticket for capital costs, Andrew Klotz of RPI Consulting told commissioners, county staff and the …
Perry moves forward on impact fees
Houston Home Journal, GA – June 7, 2007
With each new subdivision that’s built, there’s an impact on Perry’s public safety and recreational facilities. Should the developers who are building those subdivisions help with shouldering the cost? Nothing’s engraved in stone yet, but the …
Commentary: Impact fees may be right choice for Lafayette
The Daily Advertiser, LA – June 7, 2007
As one of five members of a steering committee for a grassroots organization named Lafayette Citizens for Common Sense Growth, I think it’s time to present an alternative view to the idea of impact fees. As our name implies, we are not …
Fairhope latest city to adopt impact fee
Mobile Register, AL – June 4, 2007
Officials here unanimously adopted impact fees Thursday, making the city the latest in Baldwin County to do so since April 2006. Officials in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have already approved the impact fees, and county officials, along …
School Board to consider fee increase
St. Petersburg Times, FL – May 31, 2007
Building schools is getting downright expensive. And the inches-thick Pasco School Board agenda for Tuesday offers stark testament to just how much it costs to keep a growing school district flush with classrooms. In one evening, the board …
Impact fees for new homes to jump in July
Business Gazette, MD – May 31, 2007
The impact fees charged to homebuilders in Frederick County will jump 13.16 percent on July 1, frustrating builders who are struggling with a slump in new home sales.‘‘Thirteen percent is certainly pretty steep,” said Bryan Patchan, …
New impact fees proposed; County board studies implementation of new charges
Newszap Florida, FL – May 30, 2007
Hendry County officials may implementing new fees to take advantage of new development countywide. The hope is that entities coming into the county will pay impact fees that will take the need for funding capital facility improvements …
Cape mayor drops idea for non-utility fee
The News-Press, FL – May 30, 2007
Cape Coral Mayor Eric Feichthaler wishes more people would build in areas served by utilities, but he says there’s an incentive to choose areas where wells and septic tanks are used. Feichthaler has dropped an idea to charge a water-…
Charities may be free of Kane road fees
Chicago Tribune, IL – May 30, 2007
Most charitable organizations would be exempt from paying Kane County road improvement impact fees on any new construction, and many that have paid them already could qualify for rebates, with the anticipated adoption next …
Walton Weighs Impact Fees
FireFighting News.com, FL – May 28, 2007
The cost of development in Walton County could go up if officials approve a plan to charge impact fees on new construction. The fees will pay for additional fire stations and equipment for Walton County Fire Rescue. The Walton County Commission is considering …
Cities, county re-evaluate impact fees
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – May 26, 2007
In a few months, a new home in Belgrade will cost $9,172 more than it does now. A new home in Manhattan might cost $4,300 more. New houses in Bozeman and the rest of Gallatin County also could see their price tags go up. The price …
Florence reduces fee hike
Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ – May 26, 2007
Town officials and their consultant made some changes and corrections to their calculations of Florence’s new impact fees, to make the increases less severe when they take effect on Aug. 20. The council also agreed to continue …
SB 1036 not a fix-all, but should be passed
The Times, OR – May 24, 2007
Fees on new development would provide some help to K-12 public schools dealing with rapid population growth or aging school buildings, but they are far from a complete solution. Oregon legislators and ardent supporters of K-12 public …
Bonner County moving toward impact fees
– May 24, 2007
Bonner County plans to put itself in the running to become one of the first counties in Idaho to implement development impact fees. Commissioners unanimously agreed on Tuesday to begin seeking out consulting firms to guide the county …
Sarasota County eyes yet more impact fees
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – May 23, 2007
Sarasota County’s impact fees could become the second most expensive in the state by the end of the summer. The county recently approved two rounds of impact fee hikes that will raise the fees, which are one-time taxes on building, …
Bigger fees for new homes, businesses OK’d by Lebanon
Middletown Journal, OH – May 23, 2007
Lebanon City Council approved new fees that city officials say will charge developers for the impact new homes and businesses have on the city’s parks and roads. The fees are based on a study by Bethesda, Md.-based TischlerBise and …
Impact fees could take steep rise in Indian River County
Stuart News, FL – May 23, 2007
The cost of a new home in the county could increase by more than $7,000 to offset growth if the County Commission adopts a consultant’s calculations in coming months. And that would put Indian River County’s impact fees, already the …
County may raise subdivision fees
The Missoulian, MT – May 21, 2007
A proposal before county commissioners this week to increase land-use permit fees – primarily on developers – may cause slightly higher housing prices for future homeowners. It’s been more than a decade since the county has bumped up …
North Port considers halting impact fee hike
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – May 20, 2007
City commissioners are considering backing off a planned increase in construction impact fees, tampering with the most direct way that development is supposed to pay for …
Barrow BOC to consider rezonings, impact fee study
Gwinnett Daily Post, GA – May 20, 2007
Is Barrow County ready to implement impact fees? Barrow County Commissioners will consider in Tuesday’s commission meeting whether to continue with the impact fee …
North Port considers halting impact fee hike
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – May 20, 2007
City commissioners are considering backing off a planned increase in construction impact fees, tampering with the most direct way that development is supposed to pay for itself in North Port. Commissioners say the increases, approved …
Commission to review water, wastewater impact fee updates
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle, MT – May 20, 2007
The Bozeman City Commission Monday night reviews possible updates to the impact fees charged for water and wastewater that could bring up assessments by as much as 59 percent. Impact fees are one-time charges for utility …
Barrow BOC to consider rezonings, impact fee study
Gwinnett Daily Post, GA – May 20, 2007
Is Barrow County ready to implement impact fees? Barrow County Commissioners will consider in Tuesday’s commission meeting whether to continue with the impact fee study, for which they paid Ross and Associates $22,608. Impact fees …
Interstate 5 fee is painful but necessary
Record-Searchlight, CA – May 19, 2007
Should local home builders and buyers be on the hook for improving our interstate highway? They might not have a choice. Regional road planners are working to persuade city and county governments from Corning to Shasta Lake to …
Planners OK proposed fees; Impact fees proposal to go before council
Newszap Florida, FL – May 18, 2007
The City Planning Board/Board of Adjustments and Appeals had a full agenda at their meeting on Thursday, May 17. Following procedure, the board found the city impact …
Economist warns county about impact of fee hike
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – May 18, 2007
The proposal put forward by Sarasota County commissioners to raise impact fees by 58 to 327 percent during the next two years sent enough of a shock wave through the …
Impact fees get airing in Farragut
Knoxville News Sentinel (subscription), TN – May 17, 2007
A presentation Wednesday night on proposed impact fees for the town of Farragut sparked a lively debate among builders, developers, real estate agents and the town’s …
City faces lawsuit for sewer, impact fees
Daily Home Online, AL – May 17, 2007
The St. Clair County Home Builders Association, along with two local builders, filed a lawsuit against the city for enacting new sewer and impact fees. The lawsuit, filed …
Tarpon may triple impact fee
St. Petersburg Times, FL – May 16, 2007
Commissioners want new development in this quaint, Mediterranean-flavored city. But they also want the newcomers to pay their way. Which is why the City Commission is …
County debates impact fee waiver
Pahrump Valley Times, NV – May 16, 2007
A bill to waive impact fees for businesses that provide more than 50 jobs was put on hold by Nye County commissioners earlier this month, after objections were registered …
Impact fees fairly fund school construction
Allentown Morning Call, PA – May 14, 2007
A more balanced approach to funding school expansion would be to impose educational impact fees for new housing developments. On May 15th school districts will ask …
Cut of impact fees a prudent decision
The Olympian, WA – May 13, 2007
Members of the Olympia City Council have cut school impact fees for multifamily developments in downtown Olympia. It’s a wise decision backed up by careful analysis. For a …
Could growth hobble Wake?
News & Observer, NC – May 12, 2007
Apex bills itself as “the peak of good living,” but after parents there successfully sued to block one solution to school crowding — mandatory year-round schools — the motto morphed …
Sell house, pay tax, count blessings
News & Observer, NC – May 12, 2007
Tax my home? Why, who’s the conniving rascal who would tax my home? Oh, you mean they can do that? They already do it? (Slaps forehead): The property tax! What were …
Yuma City Council could vote on 39 percent increase of impact fees
Yuma Sun, AZ – May 12, 2007
The city of Yuma’s new impact fees could be in effect by Aug. 14. The Yuma City Council could approve the new fee structure Wednesday during its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. …
Commentary: Impact fees are not right for city of Lafayette
The Daily Advertiser, LA – May 12, 2007
The Acadian Home Builders Association knows that Lafayette Parish faces many challenges because of rapid growth. Some believe that imposing impact fees on new construction is …
Farragut looking at impact fee on houses
Knoxville News Sentinel (subscription), TN – May 12, 2007
Developers aren’t happy that Farragut officials are considering an ordinance that would place an impact fee on new construction to defray the cost of infrastructure …
Effingham impact fee guarantee disputed
Savannah Morning News, GA – May 11, 2007
Effingham County’s former interim administrator says a developer claiming he was promised discounted impact fees is wrong. “I had no authority to ‘freeze’ the fees and we …
Council wonders – what will be impact of higher fees?
Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ – May 10, 2007
New impact fees were a major topic Monday, accounting for more than an hour of discussion. The town’s new study supports raising the current fee on a new single family home …
Yuba City, developers still far apart on impact fee
Appeal-Democrat, CA – May 9, 2007
After years of studies that devised a sharply higher Yuba City impact fee for roads, buildings and city facilities, a big gap remains between builders and the city. A consultant …
Collier eyes fees to help build roads
Naples Daily News, FL – May 9, 2007
Fees charged to builders to construct their projects would be increased substantially under a controversial plan to cover a $182 million shortfall in Collier County’s five-year …
Impact Fee, Panhandling Decisions Delayed
Springdale Morning News, AR – May 9, 2007
Two issues involving collections, one charitable and one governmental, were tabled Tuesday in an effort to give them both more study. The Rogers City Council agreed to delay …
Workshop to reveal results of impact fees study
Brownsville Herald, TX – May 9, 2007
The scope of the third study on impact fees seems to have been expanded from its original intent, some city and Brownsville Public Utilities Board officials charged Monday, on the …
$1.1 M impact fee may shoot holes in paintball field plan
Citrus County Chronicle, FL – May 4, 2007
Hugh McElvey isn’t a rich man, but he would have to be one to pay the county impact fees on his proposed paintball field in Crystal River. McElvey would have to fork over more than …
Revised impact fee proposals detailed
Gainesville Sun, FL – May 3, 2007
Transportation impact fees will double for new homes and rise steeply for some businesses under proposed fee revisions by Alachua County. The new fees will be considered by the …
Hamilton Twp. votes to enact impact fees
Lebanon Western Star, OH – May 2, 2007
The Hamilton Twp. board of trustees unanimously approved a second reading Wednesday enacting impact fees, which add a payment on new infrastructure. “We currently use TIFs …
City OKs portion of fees
Newszap Florida, FL – May 2, 2007
The Okeechobee City Council met in City Hall Tuesday, May 1, at 6 p.m. to consider approval of three interlocal agreements with the county to collect emergency medical services, …
Consultant: Growth not footing the bill
Georgetown News Graphic, KY – May 1, 2007
A consultant looking at ways to improve land use and development in Georgetown ex-pressed concern on Monday that the city’s growth may not be able to pay for …
Kane board divided over fees formula
The Courier News, IL – April 29, 2007
The Kane County Board should vote this summer on a new formula for transportation impact fees that are higher than today’s fees but balanced more geographically across …
Austin takes another look at how it pays for parks
Austin American-Statesman (subscription), TX – April 29, 2007
For two decades, the City of Austin has collected a park fee from every subdivision built. It has gathered $9.1 million to create or improve parks near the new homes. But …
Builders cry foul over proposed impact fee hike
Orlando Business Journal, FL – April 27, 2007
Home builder George Glance wants to price homes affordably in Central Florida. But a Lake County decision expected in the next couple of months could make that a challenge not …
Impact Fee Rule Changes Get OK From Officials
The Ledger, FL – April 27, 2007
Polk County commissioners agreed Thursday to changes in the county’s impact fee ordinance that will offer subsidies to lure new factories and to make it easier for working-class residents to buy …
Hailey looks forward to increased funding
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, ID – April 26, 2007
As the population of Hailey continues to expand, the City Council has taken steps to ensure that levels of service remain constant. City Council members voted Monday, April 23, to a adopt a …
Township closer to impact fees
Oxford Press, OH – April 26, 2007
The Hamilton Twp. Board of Trustees passed the first reading April 18 to enact impact fees, which would add a payment on new infrastructure. Hamilton Twp. — a home-rule …
Hamilton Twp. trustees address concerns over fees
Oxford Press, OH – April 26, 2007
On April 18, Hamilton Twp. passed a first reading to enact impact fees — amid more concerns and questions during a lengthy meeting. “This is not a recurring tax that shows up on a …
Impact exemptions debated
Kane County Chronicle, IL – April 25, 2007
The issue of what, if any, exemptions there should be to a proposed impact fee restructuring became too large for the Committee of the Whole. The debate about exempting …
Road impact fee to double
St. Petersburg Times, FL – April 25, 2007
Road impact fees for new homes will go up even higher than first proposed. Facing a budget crunch as road construction costs rise, (Pasco) county commissioners voted 5-0 …
Hailey on the verge of receiving impact fees
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, ID – April 24, 2007
Hailey Mayor Susan McBryant gave the first of three legally required readings that will allow the city to collect development impact fees. City Council members voted at …
In support of the transfer tax
Chatham Journal Weekly, NC – April 24, 2007
I strongly support a 1% transfer tax for Chatham County – for the many solid reasons that have also been offered by others. While not a big fan of taxes, with the recent and …
Utility Agrees to Seek Impact Fee Approval
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 24, 2007
The fees aren’t new, but they’re slated for a possible new name. The Rogers Waterworks and Sewer Commission voted Monday to ask the Rogers City Council to approve the …
Impact Fee Election Upheld
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 23, 2007
It’s official. Fayetteville will not have road impact fees. Washington County Attorney George Butler said his research upholds the county election commission’s decision …
Loosen the reins on impact fees
Beaufort Gazette, SC – April 21, 2007
The expensive process of paying for roads, libraries and parks took a step forward last week when the Port Royal Town Council agreed to charge hefty impact fees on new …
Election Commission Certifies Impact Fee Vote a Tie
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 21, 2007
Fayetteville’s road impact fee election is a tie. The Washington County Election Commission certified the April 10 election today, but a legal quandary remains. An overseas absentee …
EDITORIAL: Water, sewer impact fees help sustain continued growth
The State, SC – April 20, 2007
Home builders questioned efforts to rein in sprawl and control rising infrastructure costs, and now they’re opposing water and sewer increases governments need to meet the demand for more …
Hamilton Twp. passes first reading on proposed impact fees
Lebanon Western Star, OH – April 19, 2007
The Hamilton Twp. Board of Trustees passed the first reading Wednesday to enact impact fees that would add a one-time payment on new construction by builders and …
Impact fees raise concerns
Oxford Press, OH – April 19, 2007
Builders and developers aren’t shy about their opposition to a proposed Hamilton Twp. impact fee. The administration building was packed at an April 11 public hearing on …
Delay sought for growth bill: Homebuilder’s group wants time to propose own plan
Newszap Delaware, DE – April 18, 2007
A Delaware homebuilder’s group wants to give a state Senate committee its own spin on a bill that’s tied to the effectiveness of a Kent County growth ordinance. Lobbyists for the …
More study needed
Daily Inter Lake, MT – April 18, 2007
Council tells panel to look again at traffic-impact fees. Someone is going to foot the bills to get Kalispell’s roads up to snuff to handle traffic generated by upcoming business …
Cedar Hills hikes up impact fees
Daily Herald, UT – April 18, 2007
Building homes in Cedar Hills just got more expensive — and it may soon cost more every year. Council members here more than doubled several impact fees on Tuesday, effective …
City OKs impact fees pact
Newszap Florida, FL – April 18, 2007
The Okeechobee City Council met Tuesday, April 17, and approved an interlocal agreement with the Okeechobee County School Board and Okeechobee County to collect impact …
Infill pushed as impact fee hike advances
Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ – April 18, 2007
No one from the public spoke at a hearing Monday night on Casa Grande’s proposal to increase development impact fees on residences and business and commercial properties. Two councilmen, though, called for special efforts for infill projects and for redevelopment …
Legislators debate impact fees
Mail Tribune, OR – April 17, 2007
For fast-growing school districts, the effort to accommodate more students has become a major issue as property owners grow more resistant to bond measures for construction. …
City likely to approve impact fees
Newszap Florida, FL – April 16, 2007
The Okeechobee City Council will complete the implementation and collection process for impact fees through an interlocal agreement, consider citizen board appointments and …
EDC’s affordable housing plan doesn’t get warm response from county leaders
Naples Daily News, FL – April 16, 2007
An initiative by the Collier Economic Development Council to create more affordable housing got a lukewarm response Monday from Collier commissioners. During …
Road Fees May Have An Unwanted Impact
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 16, 2007
If there’s ever an Olympics for stupid things happening, Fudville (Fayetteville) has to enter as the early favorite. Voters there can’t even hold an election and get a result …
Greer studies impact fees
Spartanburg Herald Journal (subscription), SC – April 15, 2007
Greer City Council took its first steps into the murky waters of impact fee discussions during a recent workshop. The council is still in the infancy stages of its research, Mayor …
Impact fees pay for growth
Newszap Florida, FL – April 14, 2007
In the future, new residents to the unincorporated area of the (Okeechobee) county will be expected to pay for the increase on the infrastructure their new house, apartment …
Commission Discards Two Ballots
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 13, 2007
The results of Fayetteville’s road impact fee election remain a one-vote margin for now. Friday morning, the Washington County Election Commission rejected two provisional ballots …
Hamilton Twp. weighs proposed impact fees
Lebanon Western Star, OH – April 13, 2007
“One of the reasons they’re looking at these fees is the township provides what we consider a very high level of service,” Township Zoning and Planning Administrator Gary …
County OK’s impact fees
Newszap Florida, FL – April 12, 2007
In 90 days, the cost of new homes in the county will be going up thanks to action taken at the Thursday, April 12, meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners. …
Audit Confirms Road Impact Fee Election Result
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 12, 2007
Proposed road impact fees in Fayetteville are not at the finish line just yet, but are inching closer. An internal audit Wednesday morning of Tuesday’s road impact fee election …
Fayetteville Voters Approve Road Impact Fees
Arkansas Business Online, AR – April 11, 2007
By the slimmest of margins, Fayetteville voters have approved a system of road impact fees on new development. With 23 absentee ballots to be counted before April 20, the impact …
Orange wants right to levy real-estate tax
News & Observer, NC – April 11, 2007
Orange County Commissioners on Tuesday night became the latest county board to call on state legislators to let them levy a 1 percent tax on the sale of homes and commercial properties …
Pay for growth? It’s out of pocket
AZ Central.com, AZ – April 11, 2007
Hang onto your wallets, people. The power set is preparing yet another foray into your pocket and this one appears to be a deep-impact expedition. I knew it as soon as I read …
Developers may face heavier fees
Hi-Desert Star, CA – April 11, 2007
Yucca Valley’s Town Council will be reviewing its development impact fee structure on Thursday. Adopted in October 2005 after much committee and public hearing …
Road Impact Fees Undecided
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 11, 2007
Whether or not Fayetteville begins assessing road impact fees could hinge on 23 overseas absentee votes. Washington County Election Commission Chairman John Logan Burrow …
Planners to hear report on impact fee increases
Eagle Tribune, MA – April 10, 2007
A consultant will report to the (Londonderry) Planning Board tomorrow on proposed changes to school and fire impact fees on new development. The fees would help offset …
Impact fees on tap for county commission meeting
Newszap Florida, FL – April 10, 2007
The long delayed final report on impact fees will be presented to the Thursday, April 12, meeting of the Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners. Consultant Walter …
PTC says impact fee reduction ‘not in best interest of the city’
Fayette Daily News, GA – April 10, 2007
A Peachtree City developer won’t get the reduction in impact fees he wanted in exchange for construction of a portion of MacDuff Parkway. Saying it’s “not in the best interest of Peachtree …
Impact-fee changes will quiet critics of old system
Aurora Beacon News, IL – April 9, 2007
It probably seemed like the day would never come for some Kane County officials. But after more than a year of study, the public hearing on the new transportation impact …
Home builders vow to fight new roads law
Culpeper Star Exponent, VA – April 9, 2007
Mike Toalson says a new component in the state’s transportation bill that never allowed a period for public comment is not fair and something the housing industry will fight …
Water connection fee increase to be considered
Norman Transcript, OK – April 9, 2007
The Norman city council will consider raising water connection charges for anyone wishing to connect to the city’s water or sewer service at its regular Tuesday meeting. …
Voters To Decide On Road Impact Fees
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 8, 2007
Fayetteville voters will decide Tuesday if the city will assess proposed impact fees on new development to fix city streets overwhelmed by growth. Supporters and critics of the proposal …
Impact fees invite debate across the state
Anderson Independent Mail (subscription), SC – April 7, 2007
If the Anderson County Council ultimately decides to impose development impact fees, Anderson County would join a select group. So far the cities of Summerville, …
North Port building permit fees may rise
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, FL – April 7, 2007
A home-building slowdown that has gripped the region since late last year could lead to higher fees for building permits soon. Local building departments that were issuing record …
Report: Raise water, sewer rates in city
Citrus County Chronicle, FL – April 6, 2007
Water and sewer users in Crystal River — plus future customers — may be paying more for service so that the city may expand its utilities to accommodate future growth. The …
Impact Fee System Studied at Retreat
The Ledger, FL – April 6, 2007
A complex impact fee system that includes a provision for reduced fees for favored projects, indexing to keep up with inflation and alternative payment schedules was unveiled to …
Forum Airs Views On Road Impact Fee
Springdale Morning News, AR – April 4, 2007
Take a drive out Rupple Road, and you can see why residents should and should not support proposed impact fees, advocates on both sides said Wednesday. Developments …
Builders: Impact fee would drive business away
Daily Inter Lake, MT – April 4, 2007
Kalispell’s proposed road-impact fees are too steep, some housing and commercial-development representatives told the Kalispell City Council on Monday. Three …
Bill would set county impact fees
Brunswick Beacon, NC – April 4, 2007
N.C. Rep. Bonner Stiller (R-Brunswick) has introduced a bill into the House of Representatives that will allow Brunswick County to impose impact fees on new commercial and …
Impact fee study on its way
Montrose Daily Press, CO – April 4, 2007
Montrose County Commissioners cleared the way for an impact-fee study Monday, when they signed off on a grant and awarded a bid for the study. The county was awarded …
Vote nears on Kaine’s proposed developer fees
Washington Post, DC – April 1, 2007
In a historic change, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) has proposed giving local governments in fast-growing areas the right to impose fees on residential and commercial …
Fire-impact fee discussed day after fatal blaze
Long Beach Press-Telegram, CA – March 30, 2007
In the wake of a devastating fire at the Galaxy Tower, a public meeting to discuss a proposal to levy fees on developers to pay for fire and safety improvements took …
Impact fees leave a bitter taste for owners of candle/coffee shop
Citrus County Chronicle, FL – March 29, 2007
Antonetti and her business partner, Bernadette Poorman, opened Wicks Are Us candle shop in the Inverness Regional Shopping Center six years ago. About two years ago, they …
Group Outlines Opposition to Road Impact Fee
Springdale Morning News, AR – March 29, 2007
Opponents of a proposed road impact fee said their message is simple: A road impact fee will drive business away from Fayetteville. “Now is not the time to deter business,” said …
Consultants push for more affordable housing in Lee
Naples Daily News, FL – March 28, 2007
Consultants talked to Lee County’s Affordable Housing Committee on Wednesday before a standing-room-only crowd, using phrases like “demand for work-force …
Lessening the impact
Citrus County Chronicle, FL – March 27, 2007
Inverness City Manager Frank DiGiovanni wants the city to grow, and suggested at a budget workshop last week that county impact fees could present growing pains the city might …
Early Voting Starts On Road Impact Fee
Springdale Morning News, AR – March 25, 2007
Local developer Ben Israel and Fayetteville City Council member Lioneld Jordan agree on at least one thing — the city’s roads need improvement. Drive deeper to the heart of the …
Growth rate slows slightly in southern Warren County
Dayton Daily News (subscription), OH – March 24, 2007
Becky Ehling said Hamilton Twp.’s good schools, rural character and the fact that there’s no income tax draw new families into the southern Warren County community like a …
Put fee on the real impact
Ocala.com, FL – March 23, 2007
When the Marion County Commission fired its impact fee consultants last summer, the board wanted the replacement crew to be able to “reinvent the wheel.” The new ..
OV looking at huge rise in impact fees on water
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – March 22, 2007
It will cost more to build a home or business in Oro Valley if the Town Council approves a proposal to increase water-related development impact fees by nearly 16 times …
New housing fee means less revenue for city
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – March 20, 2007
What are our elected officials thinking? Overall, local governments are collecting less money from new housing permit and impact fees because of fewer homes being built. So …
Raleigh Council To Debate Impact Fee Resolution
WRAL.com – March 20, 2007
The City Council on Tuesday will consider calling on state lawmakers to include impact fees in any legislation designed to fund local growth. Councilman Russ Stephenson is …
Youngsville Impact Fees
KATC, LA – March 19, 2007
It could soon cost you more to buy new homes on the streets of Youngsville. The booming city is the first in Acadiana to propose charging fees that cover the cost of rapid …
State and local governments look at impact fees
Las Vegas Business Press, NV – March 19, 2007
Impact fees to pay the costs of new development are once again on the agenda at the Legislature. The Nevada League of Cities & Municipalities has proposed two changes to the …
Paying for impacts
Nevada Appeal, NV – March 19, 2007
As Truckee grows, so must its traffic system, but figuring out who pays for new streets and roads is proving to be a challenge. The Truckee Town Council last week considered an …
Approaching buildout impacts Chandler’s development
East Valley Tribune, AZ – March 18, 2007
When completed in two years, the 520-acre, 1,000-home Fulton Ranch master-planned community will represent the end of Chandler’s 25-year housing boom. After that, the future …
New construction in Mount Pleasant facing impact fee
Journal Times Online, WI – March 17, 2007
It will cost between $3,100 and $3,300 more to build most new homes in Mount Pleasant starting July 1. The Village Board voted unanimously this week to implement a …
Nampa eyes hikefor impact fees
Idaho Press-Tribune, ID – March 17, 2007
Nampa could raise impact fees on residential developments by almost 3 1/2 times their current rate in order to further spread the cost of growth to new construction. The …
Sarasota County raises impact fees on new homes
Tampa Bay’s 10, FL – March 16, 2007
Sarasota County Commissioners are raising impact fees substantially, starting in June. Those are fees on developers, often passed on to owners of brand new homes, for things …
$3.9 million in impact fees since 2001
Waxahachie Daily Light, TX – March 15, 2007
Waxahachie City Manager Paul Stevens presented a required semi-annual report on impact fee collection and capital improvements to the Planning and Zoning Commission on …
Impact fees will offset the cost of development in Sumter County
Villages Daily Sun, FL – March 14, 2007
The cost of growth to a community or county is more than just the dollars and cents required to construct a subdivision. The cost also includes building new schools or expanding …
Council postpones water connection raise
Norman Transcript, OK – March 14, 2007
Norman city councilmembers voted 8-0 to postpone a vote on increasing water connection fees for new construction per living unit until April 10 –but not until after a lively debate …
Road fees would hit new businesses hardest
Daily Inter Lake, MT – March 14, 2007
Owners of new business buildings would pay the lion’s share of Kalispell’s proposed transportation impact fees. New homes likely would be assessed a much smaller …
Council tables ordinance establishing impact fees
Daily Home Online, AL – March 12, 2007
The (Pell City) City Council tabled a proposed ordinance Monday night that would establish capital recovery and impact fees for new water and sewer customers. The …
Counties and Builders Spar Over Charges
The Ledger, FL – March 11, 2007
Like a poker player, Polk County has watched its neighbors raise the stakes on school impact fees. But with a lawsuit looming, Polk only has two options. Check the bet …
Village ups building fees
Joliet Herald News, IL – March 11, 2007
With new homes and new businesses, the potential for disaster increases, and the Channahon Fire Protection District wants to be prepared. Village trustees Monday …
Project: Impact Fees *The basics: Ideally, fee helps fund growth
Cecil Whig, MD – March 9, 2007
Government officials in Cecil County have been struggling in recent years with increased pressure from residents to get a grip on growth. Growth has been put on the front …
Project: Impact Fees *The catch: APFO needs fee’s money to work
Cecil Whig, MD – March 9, 2007
The county is working to adopt an adequate public facilities ordinance, but officials claim the lack of an impact fee threatens to warp the policy into a money …
Project: Impact Fees *The hedging: Revenues difficult to forecast
Cecil Whig, MD – March 9, 2007
Harford County, one of the more recent counties to adopt an impact fee, collected its first full year of revenues from the fee in June. Its fee is set at $7,442 for each …
Project: Impact Fees *The windfall: Millions possible, but only as a boost
Cecil Whig, MD – March 9, 2007
An impact fee is expected to bring the county government some fast cash, but what exactly will the windfall be? Probably not too much, according to Josh Brown, chairman …
Belleview says ‘yes’ to impact fee for new home building
Ocala.com, FL – March 7, 2007
Following a year of hand wringing, studies and debates, the issue of whether to have an impact fee ended Tuesday, with city commissioners voting 5-0 to impose the fee …
Council moves forward on public-safety fees
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – March 7, 2007
Impact fees for public safety could begin as soon as September following the (Tucson) City Council’s approval Tuesday of starting the six-month public outreach process …
Road improvements fee nears
San Antonio Express, TX – March 6, 2007
The city (New Braunfels) is moving to become the first in the region to impose a roadway impact fee on new development. The one-time fee is meant to force new homes …
Plan might add $1711 to fees on new home in Tucson
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – March 6, 2007
Tucson is considering adding development impact fees to help pay for police, fire and public facilities. Although numerous cities and towns around Arizona charge fees …
Paying for Lee roads is billion-dollar question
Naples Daily News, FL – March 6, 2007
Lee County faces a $40 million road-building problem in the next 12 months. That’s the good news. The bad news is that by the year 2030, the deficit is projected to be $2 billion. That’s billion with a “B.” To plug the gap, the Lee County transportation …
Utility Likely To Push For Impact Fees
Springdale Morning News, AR – March 5, 2007
The Rogers Water Utilities may not call them impact fees, but legislation to be considered by the state House of Representatives today says they are. The utility may seek …
Commission considers hiking impact fees to cover the cost of progress
Gainesville Sun, FL – February 25, 2007
Between a proposal to more than double impact fees for roads and a decision to seek more money from SpringHills for road improvements, Alachua County may be sending developers …
House Committee Rejects Impact Fee Revision
New West, MT – February 23, 2007
Introducing legislation Thursday to revise Montana’s impact fee laws, Rep. Michele Reinhart, D-Missoula, described it as a “non-controversial, win-win, love-in bill.” She was right, in …
Final report on impact fees delayed
Newszap Florida, FL – February 22, 2007
The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners will have to wait until their next meeting to receive the long delayed final report on impact fees. Consultant Walter Keller …
Impact fees among concerns
Newszap Arizona, AZ – February 20, 2007
The showing of seven residents for East Mesa’s District 6 town hall meeting Feb. 13 was bleak compared to nearly 50 residents at the District 5 town hall meeting a week …
Lower Salford revises traffic impact fees
Hendersonville Times News, NC – February 16, 2007
Here’s the thing. We live in the middle of a mountain Garden of Eden, replete with gurgling brooks, rushing waterfalls, purple mountain majesties, little birds singing in the spring …
Mesa’s proposed impact fee hikes are reasonable in comparison with its neighbors
East Valley Tribune, AZ – February 15, 2007
When someone purchases a new home, it’s not just an investment in the future and a continuation of the American Dream; it’s a new sewer hookup, it’s another set of tires wearing …
Plymouth adopts nearly $20k in impact fees
Amador Ledger-Dispatch, CA – February 14, 2007
Prospective home builders in Plymouth may think twice about construction now that approximately $20,000 in impact fees have been approved by the city council. Following …
Looking ahead to stay ahead
Ocala.com, FL – February 13, 2007
Sometimes government actually does fulfill the wishes of the citizenry. Sometimes, it even exceeds them. Marion County’s park system is a refreshing example of just that. …
Leaders dispute how much failed affordable housing fee plan cost
Naples Daily News, FL – February 11, 2007
In the weeks since Collier County commissioners decided to scrap a proposed linkage fee on new development, disagreements have remained over several aspects of the …
Higher Mesa impact fees studied
East Valley Tribune, AZ – February 9, 2007
Mesa city leaders took a first step Thursday to raise the city’s impact fees by more than 60 percent on new homes and apartment buildings built within city limits in an effort to …
City Council discusses impact fee increases on developers
Greeley Tribune, CO – February 7, 2007
The Greeley City Council may increase development fees for transportation, drainage and trails for new developments in Greeley, a move that would likely increase the cost of …
Officials are lobbying for local impact fees
Beaufort Gazette, SC – February 7, 2007
Impact fees for schools might not make a comeback this year, but it won’t be because local officials didn’t try. Beaufort County elected officials lobbied state lawmakers on Tuesday …
Developers may have to pay for impact on schools
Souderton Independent, PA – February 7, 2007
The state House of Representatives and Senate committees have seen several versions of bills over the past couple years aiming to help school districts with the burden of the …
Chatham joins transfer tax fight
News & Observer, NC – February 6, 2007
Chatham County on Monday joined a coming battle between the state’s housing industry and counties looking for more revenue. At least 10 counties are seeking legislative …
Many Citrus County Builders Angry Over Increase in Impact Fees
Associated Content, CO – February 3, 2007
After last week’s vote by Citrus County commissioners, many builders were upset by the decision to raise the building impact fees. Nearly 200 people, many builders and …
Callahan Council is expected to approve charging impact fee
Florida Times-Union, FL – February 3, 2007
The Town Council is poised to begin charging impact fees to pay for the consequences of growth. The council could implement the new impact fees as soon as its 7 p.m. …
Commissioners put impact fees on hold
SmallTownPapers News Service, WA – February 1, 2007
Jones County commissioners opted to give Development Authority members more time to study the effect of impact fees on industry at the conclusion of last week’s workshop. Experts …
County mulls additional building fees
Telluride Daily Planet, CO – February 1, 2007
With a goal of socking away more cash to build affordable housing, San Miguel County is considering tacking “impact fees” onto building projects in the unincorporated corners …
Measure 37 developers should have to pay for required infrastructure
The Register-Guard, OR – January 30, 2007
The full impact of Measure 37 has become apparent only recently as counties tally the vast acreage that is subject to the more than 6,000 claims filed so far. Measure 37 is based …
It’s commissioners’ move in impact fee debate
Cecil Whig, MD – January 30, 2007
The local legislative delegation will wait until the Cecil County commissioners chime in before deciding what to do about an impact fee ballot question. Commissioners …
Senator, Collier commissioners wage impact fee war of words
Naples Daily News, FL – January 30, 2007
The 2007 Florida legislative session is still more than a month away, but insults already are flying between Collier commissioners and a state lawmaker. Collier officials are critical …
Officials: Terra Cotta impact fee ‘loophole’ likely to stay
Northwest Herald, IL – January 30, 2007
An impact fee “loophole” likely will not be closed, village officials said Wednesday. Village President Michael Breseman said District 46 officials had faxed three letters …
Impact fees set; now let’s rein in spending
St. Petersburg Times, FL – January 27, 2007
No one was going to leave the County Commission meeting Thursday evening entirely happy with the board’s decision on how much to raise the impact fees. But the compromise …
County given impact fee idea
St. Petersburg Times, FL – January 26, 2007
A parade of state, county and private-sector leaders met for a Pasco Economic Development Council luncheon Friday to revisit the region’s traffic problems. They spoke of broad …
Dillon Town Council makes informal decision on impact fees
Summit Daily News, CO – January 24, 2007
The Dillon Town Council informally agreed on an impact fee policy at a work session Tuesday night, however the policy won’t be formally adopted until next month. Council members …
Low impact fees left costs of infrastructure unpaid
St. Petersburg Times, FL – January 24, 2007
Much has been said, and many opinions have been offered regarding the increase in impact fees that will come before the County Commission on Thursday. There are two …
County will skip study on impact fees before voting
St. Petersburg Times, FL – January 24, 2007
A divided County Commission decided Tuesday to move ahead with voting on impact fees this week without conducting a study on the economic effects of increasing them. Economic …
Local officials react to county road impact fee
Elburn Herald, IL – January 23, 2007
Kane County officials, such as County Board member and Transportation Committee Chair Jan Carlson, said that the intent of its road impact fees is to “promote orderly economic growth,” but Sugar Grove Village …
Impact fee question awaits amendments
Cecil Whig, MD – January 23, 2007
A decision on legislation authorizing a local ballot question on impact fees will have to wait at least one week. The Cecil County delegation tabled a vote on Sen. E.J. Pipkin’s proposed …
Spanish Fork impact fees increase as city anticipates record year for building
Daily Herald, UT – January 23, 2007
Spanish Fork city officials are expecting record numbers of new homes to start going up this year, and the cost of building those homes just went up. Impact fees could have seen a …
State attorney general rules against development tax hike
Murfreesboro Post, TN – January 22, 2007
Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper has ruled that a proposal to double Rutherford County’s development fee is invalid under state law. The Rutherford County Commission …
Sides gird for impact fee vote
St. Petersburg Times, FL – January 22, 2007
Hundreds of riled up residents crammed into a meeting room and demanded tax relief from (Citrus) county commissioners last year. Now a similar battle is brewing. With the …
Belleview officials reconsider recreation fees
Ocala.com, FL – January 21, 2007
Belleview city officials have come full circle when it comes to instituting a recreation impact fee. In 2006, commissioners talked about – and eventually came up – with a …
Brent Batten: Impact fees should be reasonable
Naples Daily News, FL – January 21, 2007
That rumbling you heard wasn’t another F-16 out of Key West. It was the sound of jaws hitting the floor at the proposed new affordable housing fee trotted out by Collier County on …
Impact fees: What to believe?
St. Petersburg Times, FL – January 20, 2007
The looming battle over how much to raise impact fees comes down to a simple question for each of the five county commissioners: What do you believe? Do you believe that raising …
Pipkin’s reluctance over impact fees frustrates chamber *Officials …
Cecil Whig, MD – January 19, 2007
Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Upper Shore) told members of the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday that he remains opposed to impact fees. But he agreed to file legislation …
Builders gasp at county’s proposed impact fee
Naples Daily News, FL – January 19, 2007
Collier County builders have a simple response to the county’s proposal to charge new construction a fee to pay for affordable housing: Let’s talk. A lack of affordable housing …
A new plan in impact fees fight
St. Petersburg Times, FL – January 17, 2007
As (Citrus) commissioners gear up for another bitter battle over impact fees next week, commission Chairman Dennis Damato says he has a new proposal. For schools and …
Safford considers new impact fees
Eastern Arizona Courier, AZ – January 17, 2007
Rather than pass the costs for additional wastewater and water construction to current customers, the city of Safford is looking at increasing impact fees for new development. An …
Belleview city staff tasked with drafting construction impact fee …
Ocala.com, FL – January 17, 2007
By unanimous agreement, a proposal to create an impact fee on new home construction – with the money collected going toward buying land for recreation – is now in the …
Hiking impact fees due to water agreement to be discussed
Savannah Morning News, GA – January 16, 2007
Impact fees for water service could be higher in parts of Rincon getting treated surface water from Effingham County’s potable water pipeline. A review of current charges …
PG eyes impact fee shift
Northwest Herald, IL – January 15, 2007
A sliding scale called the “Naperville Formula,” predicts that five-bedroom homes will send fewer students into a school district than four-bedroom houses. And that has led some …
Kane pushes impact plan
Kane County Chronicle, IL – January 12, 2007
Kane County officials are trying to push a new, triple-sized impact fee ordinance. During a meeting with the NorthWest News Group’s Editorial Board on Thursday, County …
Official defends tap-in fee for new water system users
Youngstown Vindicator, OH – January 12, 2007
A $500 tap-in fee for new water system users doesn’t sit well with a township trustee, but a Youngstown Water Department representative said the fee, which has been in effect for …
Affordable Housing…in Vail?
New West, MT – January 11, 2007
Like in many resort towns in the Rockies, Vail’s workforce is being priced out of the local housing market, moving down-valley to more affordable digs. But the trade-off is a long …
Woodland Hills will impose impact fee for new homes
Daily Herald, UT – January 11, 2007
At the rate Woodland Hills is growing, the main road through town is going to need some improvements, and the City Council is asking incoming residents to pick up the tab. The …
Mayor: Impact fees unfair
Hilton Head Island Packet, SC – January 11, 2007
The mayor of Hilton Head says the town is being asked to pay more than its fair share for the impact of development off-island. So, the town could adopt impact fees that are …
Ivory Homes Objects to School’s Impact Fee Plan
KCPW, UT – January 11, 2007
The largest home-builder in Utah is says school districts will only boost home prices in the state if they start charging fees on home construction to pay for school buildings. “I’m …
Impact fees getting roads built around Pima County
Arizona Daily Star, AZ – January 11, 2007
All that development going on in Pima County raised $19 million last year for roads that otherwise would have awaited taxpayer money to build. The county’s Impact Fee Program …
Mitigation fees are approved
Colfax Record, CA – January 10, 2007
The Mitigation Impact Fees ordinance, affecting all new residential and commercial development within the city, was passed Tuesday by the Colfax City Council. The new law …
Developer wants real estate tax, not impact fees
Northwest Arkansas Times, AR – January 7, 2007
As the Fayetteville City Council considers impact fees for roads, one local developer is working …
Council freezes Big Island rezoning
Honolulu Advertiser, HI – January 5, 2007
The Hawai’i County Council yesterday endorsed a temporary freeze on rezonings for all of Kona and South Kohala, sending a message to developers in those high-priced real estate …
Gulf Shores considering impact fees
Press-Register, AL – January 4, 2007
The City Council may vote next week to start collecting impact fees on new construction — a move that could generate more than $21 million in revenue over the next five years, …
City says OK to impact fees: City, county and school board fees …
Newszap Florida, FL – January 3, 2007
New businesses and residential homes within the City of Okeechobee will have impact fees imposed in the near future. This will go in line with neighboring cities and counties …
County leaders leaning toward more-cautious public facilities law
Cecil Whig, MD – January 3, 2007
The county is looking into a long-touted proposal that ensures sufficient public services are in step with Cecil County growth, but the ordinance may undergo stark changes from …
Birmingham raises water, sewer fees
The Decatur Daily, AL – January 1, 2007
The Birmingham Water Works will start charging a $1,000 impact fee to connect most new houses to the water system beginning today, and water and sewer bills will also rise for …