Planning commission gives favorable recommendation on proposed park impact fee of $27.48 per permit

The Greenwood Advisory Planning Commission on Monday voted to give a favorable recommendation to a proposed equitable park impact fee that would apply to new residential construction in the city. The consultant-recommended fee is $27.48 per building permit based on a 10-year growth projection and an estimated $7.2 million in future park and recreation infrastructure needs.

Rob Taggart, director of Parks and Recreation, introduced the study and said the city hired a consultant team to update Greenwood27s impact-fee analysis; Chuck Layman of V3 presented the methodology. The study used Greenwood27s updated comprehensive plan population forecasts, a 10-year projection of building permits (2,623 projected permits), and an inventory of park system infrastructure components. The advisory committee of local builders and developers reviewed draft assumptions.

Layman said the recommended $27.48 fee is calculated by taking projected future costs for eligible park infrastructure, subtracting nonlocal revenues and impact deductions, and dividing the result by projected building permits. The recommendation excludes larger "facility complex" projects (community centers, major aquatic centers) from the impact-fee-funded list, reserving those projects for other funding sources.

The advisory committee recommended an annual inflation adjustment of 5% per year and annual reporting of revenues and expenditures by the Parks Department. The proposed ordinance would take effect six months after adoption by City Council.

Commissioner Stanbaugh moved that the commission forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council on the proposed impact fee schedule; Commissioner Price seconded. The commission voted 9-0 to forward the recommendation; staff said the City Council will review the ordinance on April 7.