City Council approves new impact fee structure for local businesses

The Springville City Council held a meeting on December 16, 2024, focusing on the impact fee structure for local businesses. The discussion centered around how traffic engineers assess and calculate fees based on the traffic generated by different types of businesses.

The meeting began with an explanation of the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) methodology, which uses historical data to determine traffic generation rates for various business types. Council members discussed how these rates are influenced by factors such as the size of the business and its specific use, including examples like drive-through restaurants and single-family homes.

A key point of discussion was the calculation of impact fees, which are designed to reflect the traffic impact a business will have on local infrastructure. For instance, a single-family residence generates an estimated 0.47 trips during peak hours, leading to a calculated fee of approximately $14.62. In contrast, a pharmacy with a drive-through generates more trips, resulting in a higher fee.

Council members also addressed concerns about the fairness of these fees. They confirmed that businesses have the right to contest their impact fees if they can provide evidence that their traffic generation differs from the established ITE data. This provision is mandated by state law and allows businesses to submit studies to support their claims.

The meeting concluded with a recommendation from city staff to adopt the maximum allowable impact fee of $14.62, aligning Springville's fees with those of neighboring cities. The council approved the master plan and the impact fee facility plan, marking a significant step in the city's efforts to ensure that new developments contribute appropriately to local infrastructure needs.