[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6500238,"mediaKeyId","5489761-a3b294cdb9f9c98b9efa8acb2cd4ae88","parentId",5489761,"title","Council reviews proposed shift to square-foot residential impact fees, drops unfinished-basement exemption and removes affordable-housing waiver","audioSeconds",1137,"startMs",4473000,"endMs",5610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489761-a3b294cdb9f9c98b9efa8acb2cd4ae88&start=4473&end=5610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489761-a3b294cdb9f9c98b9efa8acb2cd4ae88/thumbnail_4473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6500238/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Council-reviews-proposed-shift-to-square-foot-residential-impact-fees-drops-unfinished-basement-exemption-and-removes-affordable-housing-waiver","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500238-bda403279342d56ab4e1888be562b741/orig.mp4?Expires=1775188360&Signature=ZvDaSUyASAEsG~ZjbVVIqlL4C7GKfVdpWaTx2DPRyJurJT~hOu~8ntqcnytUQpgZ2doxEZEwovcwQXAt8BgCo2k9-diOvzVnboJIzGZNtgLLlGiXyDUxufX3u4NM8OkozWJb~0FPcMq1ARrQqkkHxm77I7K3Ks4NN6TEAGDvG4vQ1fgDFVofsxI9QSkIFwfRun1dY1pRbbdijv~Vs6OcJk9H2s6SfgB~WElfJhILQEe8aadUpHlM9i6u-93SSb0zz3XTPEsPoIu7Cll0pF8RnZzjBVsH2wJ4uK5IAO65ooswvRIjG2~feFX42Y2Kjkw08ya8bg1tWoId8SyYymQSKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Falls City","date","2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","article","City staff presented a proposed rewrite of the city’s development impact fee ordinance that would calculate residential impact fees on climate-controlled square footage rather than per housing unit, clarify what counts as residential square footage and remove a standing affordable-housing exemption that previously appeared in the draft ordinance.

Mike (staff) explained the proposal would measure residential development impact by a structure’s climate-controlled square footage — a proxy for spaces intended for living — and would exclude automobile garages and accessory storage from the fee calculation. \"The calculation of a residential development impact fee shall be determined by the climate controlled square footage of the structure,\" staff told the council in a reading of the draft language. Staff said the change was intended to avoid later disputes over whether unfinished basements or attached accessory spaces should be counted.

Councilors asked how the climate-control metric treats basements and accessory dwelling units. Staff and the city’s consultant explained climate control ties back to building-code requirements (International Building Code) that require heating systems for habitable spaces; therefore a newly finished basement that is climate-controlled would be counted, and an accessory structure with a complete self-contained living unit would also be counted. Staff said impact fees apply only to new construction, so older homes without climate control in basements would not be retroactively charged.

Another substantive change in the draft removes an affordable-housing exemption that had been in the draft impact fee ordinance. Staff said state law requires any waived impact fees still be accounted for in the impact fee fund — the city must find alternate funding to cover any waived fee — and councils had rarely been able to secure those replacement funds. \"One of the recommendations ... is that it was not fair to lead developers on that, they might get a affordable impact fee waiver but the council hadn't funded it,\" staff said, recommending the exemption be removed and that staff pursue other incentive mechanisms for affordable housing (development incentives or grant sources) outside the impact-fee ordinance.

Staff outlined a schedule: a work session August 11, tentative planning commission and council steps in September (public hearing tentatively Sept. 25) and implementation to align with an updated impact-fee study and possible January 1 effective date the following year. Councilors pressed staff on legal risk and on how other Idaho cities define square footage for impact fees; staff said most Idaho cities using square footage do not exempt unfinished basements and several local governments base fees on climate- or heated-square footage.

Why it matters: The change alters how impact fees — charges meant to recover capital needs caused by growth — are calculated for new housing. Moving to a square-foot basis shifts the charge from a per-unit approach to a size-based approach that more closely correlates to potential service demand. Removing the affordable-housing exemption shifts the direction for how the city will support subsidized housing, by pursuing alternate incentives rather than guaranteeing fee waivers.

What’s next: Staff will refine draft ordinance language, add an explicit definition (staff offered to insert a cross-reference to the building code), continue coordination with the Impact Fee Advisory Committee, and pursue other incentive programs for affordable housing coordinated with municipal services and economic development staff. Council set a tentative timeline for public hearings and additional work sessions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Idaho Falls City - City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a proposed rewrite of the city’s development impact fee ordinance that would calculate residential impact fees by climate-controlled square footage rather than per housing unit and would remove an affordable-housing exemption.","taxTitle","Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho","taxId",4472,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500242,"Idaho Falls Downtown Development proposes phased app-based metered parking; council asked to update ordinance and fee schedule",2621,258000,2879000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5489761-a3b294cdb9f9c98b9efa8acb2cd4ae88&start=258&end=2879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5489761-a3b294cdb9f9c98b9efa8acb2cd4ae88/thumbnail_258000.jpg","/articles/6500242/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Idaho-Falls-Downtown-Development-proposes-phased-app-based-metered-parking-council-asked-to-update-ordinance-and-fee-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500242-b7f995df20d30d06ced7978c4721323f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775188360&Signature=GoBPtDDxrFkQ~jeo0Hl4UVkeBYaXKUm3wb~qWg-tP0VpxeynqpjPsaJbV5vvImLFr6vqzwc-BHarT-y7-5ZH1Zd3scqs-I0HFIVupk05jE1Rd4RzQIFTJsp0Ed58uKJcFjGSUNZe-ohegQuM7z3Jfz1eJEEU0TioOW3Su7tbk9u48oSSPLRS560wnIGTrehr1NNf-QSZbufqBOn-ccwko3ewXxvc-Q54N0XZ7MDCzCCT-3Vo6KqZKodz4GYiS6vOrepwJxB1bDY1gcP~PAmSy-qM5a-7sLs5I47kj~bJdDrJ5r6R-g1PPk7eA7kJ9LKtiMwo58N7699XJWMXZVgs4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) on July 8 asked the City Council to support a phased pilot that would convert much downtown curbside two-hour parking to paid, app-based metering managed by ParkSmarter and integrated with the city’s existing IPS parking system.

IFDDC Director Carrie Hammond said the plan is a phased rollout so staff can fine-tune operations and public education. \"Our goal is to ensure customers effortlessly arrive, immediately locate, and conveniently access parking right at the doorstep or near their desired destination downtown,\" Hammond said. She asked council for help updating the downtown parking ordinance, the city fee schedule and access to city communications and public-works resources for signage installation.

Hammond described a two-phase pilot. Phase 1 would convert on-street two-hour zones in the area north of Broadway (Bridal north, not including D Street) into metered curbside parking via the ParkSmarter app and keep existing pay stations in lots. Phase 2 would expand metering south of Broadway and invest in lot improvements, integrated permit management, enhanced wayfinding and IPS integration. Constitution Way (a center-row street currently unsigned and free) would be converted to metered parking along the center row and both sides in phase 1. City Hall and the Veterans Memorial loading zones and signage would remain unchanged, Hammond said.

Hammond and IFDDC provided financial context: annual parking revenue historically averaged about $329,200 (including the city’s annual support payment to IFDDC of $92,200, roughly $187,000 in lot permits and about $50,000 in citation revenue). Average annual parking expenses the IFDDC reported were about $211,000, including maintenance, IPS fees and staff salaries. Hammond told council five existing pay stations are paid off but due for maintenance, and that updated compliant signage would cost roughly $15,000 to install (estimate subject to public-works scheduling).

Proposed on-street pricing is for council discussion: first hour $1–$2, second hour $2, third hour $2, with a higher fourth-hour step intended to encourage turnover (Hammond said the fourth-hour rate had been discussed in committee as between $5 and $20). Hammond noted that ParkSmarter and merchant/processing fees (IPS fees ~35¢ average per transaction; AMG merchant processing ~30¢ on small transactions) are paid by the consumer and apply to each transaction, including when users add time from the app.

IFDDC outlined enforcement and operations: continue education-first policy (dismiss first citation in many cases), keep pay stations while offering the app, maintain accessible options (disability parking remains free), and add an additional parking ambassador position and equipment (mobile devices with Bluetooth printers, licenses). Hammond said app features being promoted include real-time space availability, push alerts for expiring time, and the ability to extend parking remotely. IFDDC said it is evaluating validation options for permit waivers and working with IPS on future integration.

Council members questioned rates, whether businesses could validate parking for customers, impacts on employees who park all day, and how the system would deter people from moving and re-starting a low-cost session to avoid longer fees. Jake Dertie, IFDDC parking committee chair, who spoke during the meeting, summarized merchant input: the movie theater and salons indicated many customer visits exceed two hours; a three-hour “sweet spot” was often mentioned for combined dinner+movie or salon visits. Dertie urged that hourly pricing be set so parking remains cheaper than a citation and to consider differentiated pricing for curbside prime spots versus lots.

Mayor and council asked staff to work with IFDDC on ordinance language, fee schedule deadlines and rollout timing. Hammond proposed intensive public outreach in August–September and an October 1 start date for active enforcement, pending hiring and equipment lead times. She requested the council’s endorsement to proceed with the phased pilot, permission to submit proposed fee updates in time for the city’s fee schedule process (noting a Wednesday submission deadline referenced in the meeting), and assistance from city communications and municipal services for signage and code changes.

Why it matters: Downtown metering is intended to increase turnover for businesses, direct parking demand among on-street/garage/lot options, and generate funds for downtown maintenance and improvements. The proposal will require an ordinance amendment to allow metered parking in the BID and changes to fee schedules and the IFDDC–city MOU to reflect operating responsibilities and revenue accounting.

What’s next: IFDDC asked the council to support the phased plan, to send ordinance changes to the city attorney and municipal services for drafting, to approve fee schedule entries by the city deadline, and to provide communications support for a public-education campaign. Council discussion continued with more detailed follow-up and committee engagement planned before formal council action.","The Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation proposed phased on-street metering using a ParkSmarter app, pay-station updates and improved wayfinding. Staff and council discussed rates, enforcement, public outreach and an ordinance change; IFDDC asked city support for signage, software integration and an amendment to the MOU.","actionData","errors"]

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Council reviews proposed shift to square-foot residential impact fees, drops unfinished-basement exemption and removes affordable-housing waiver

Idaho Falls Downtown Development proposes phased app-based metered parking; council asked to update ordinance and fee schedule