|  |
 |
|
Town Council to Discuss Impact Fees Today |
Bill Hudson | 5/15/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Pagosa Springs Town Council will hold a special meeting today to discuss Town impact fees, among other topics.
Impact fees on new residential and commercial buildings have been a contentious issue in recent weeks, as the real estate and construction industries have asked local government entities to defer or reduce their fees, in hopes of sparking new construction during a community-wide economic slow-down.
 The most damaging fees, according to industry representatives, have been the combined water and sewer fees levied by both the Town of Pagosa Springs — on behalf of the San Juan Water Conservancy District — and by the Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District. One area realtor recently appeared before the PAWSD board to complain that the conversion of an existing downtown building into a restaurant would cost his client over $100,000 just in water and sewer fees.
Both PAWSD and the Town decided in put impact fees in place during a period of rapid community growth, in 2006. The fees were aimed at making new growth "pay for itself." That growth has since slowed to a near stop. Some members of the Town Council have asked for another look at its impact fee rates, to determine if they are still appropriate in a slow real estate market.
The Town has already agreed to allow developers to defer payment of Town fees over a ten-year period. So far, PAWSD has not made any changes in its own impact fee policies, which are aimed at funding a massive new reservoir supposedly needed to accommodate the community's rapid growth.
Here is the Town Council agenda, as released yesterday:
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
12:00 P.M.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
II. DELEGATIONS
III. OLD BUSINESS
1. Discussion in regards to Impact Fees
2. Springs Resort Correspondence Review, possible Executive Session per C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(a)
3. Discussion on The Mercer Group Schedule
4. Discussion on dates for Town Council Retreat
III. ADJOURNMENT |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|