The Town of Ridgeland council passed Resolution 11-2025 directing the planning commission to initiate studies and recommend an impact-fee ordinance and associated capital improvement plan for the town.

Staff explained the first step required under the South Carolina Impact Fee Act (cited in meeting as Code of Laws 1976, as amended, section 6-1-910): the council must pass a resolution instructing the planning commission to conduct an impact-fee study and propose a capital improvement plan that identifies facilities and costs to be recovered from new development.

Staff told the council the typical study timeline can range up to a year but noted the statute references a 180-day timeframe; staff said the town will request proposals and indicated urgency because of emerging development inventory. Council members asked about consequences of missing the 180-day target; staff clarified a resolution is nonbinding in the same way an ordinance is binding, but noted the town should aim to complete the study promptly.

Council adopted the resolution directing the planning commission to proceed with the impact-fee study, and staff said the planning commission will issue a request for proposals for a consultant to conduct the study and prepare the capital improvement plan.