02-06-2010, 04:53 PM
Maybe I'm missing something? Seems the article says the developers are responsible for a whole lot of money that hasn't been collected. Why isn't there an effort to collect what is already owed BEFORE changing the system? Or is the goal to change the system so this money isn't collected? And why not change the rules that determine how this money can be spent if the current rules make it almost impossible. I'd guess that if the developers were properly assessed these fees, then they built them into the prices people paid, so not quite accurate to hint the developers suffered any burden - they just passed it on. - or more likely just pocketed the extra.
And I personally do NOT trust the county to assess/collect impact fees in a fair/equitable manner. I was part of a discussion on the topic this evening and all agreed that impact fees would would be of little value to us other than perhaps the road that gets us to our homes. Yes, we do get police and fire, but basically no county services or infrastructure that were impacted by our building and hopefully we are entitled to something for the taxes we pay.
Impact fees may well be a good way to mitigate the impact of a development, be it commercial or multiple residential units, but I don't see them as appropriate for individually built single family housing. Given the history in the referenced article, I'd be concerned that the only fees collected would be from owner-builders and small contractors while the real developers skate.
David
Ninole Resident
And I personally do NOT trust the county to assess/collect impact fees in a fair/equitable manner. I was part of a discussion on the topic this evening and all agreed that impact fees would would be of little value to us other than perhaps the road that gets us to our homes. Yes, we do get police and fire, but basically no county services or infrastructure that were impacted by our building and hopefully we are entitled to something for the taxes we pay.
Impact fees may well be a good way to mitigate the impact of a development, be it commercial or multiple residential units, but I don't see them as appropriate for individually built single family housing. Given the history in the referenced article, I'd be concerned that the only fees collected would be from owner-builders and small contractors while the real developers skate.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident