Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Impact Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board debates impact fees, exactions and staffing needs; requests cost analysis
Summary
Board members discussed whether to pursue impact fees or raise permit fees, requested a cost analysis and proposed inviting town finance staff and neighboring towns to advise on implementation and administrative burden.
Swansea Planning Board members discussed whether the town should pursue impact fees or increase its current permitting fees at the May 8 meeting, and asked staff to return with a cost analysis and stakeholder input.
Board members noted the town’s current permit fees are low and suggested raising them to help fund municipal needs. Some members said impact fees — a one-time developer charge directed to specific capital accounts such as fire apparatus or road improvements — could help offset costs associated with growth but would require legal structure, a separate account and dedicated accounting and reporting. Planning staff advised that impact fees are typically constrained to specified capital purposes, require tracking and reporting, and impose administrative overhead.
Staff provided examples of likely capital costs that motivated the discussion: a fire truck in the coming capital plan was estimated in discussion at $700,000 to $900,000 and a police cruiser at about $70,000. Board members asked staff to prepare a cost/benefit analysis showing the administrative burden and likely revenues for impact fees or a fee increase and to invite town finance staff (Theresa) and representatives from a nearby town that uses impact fees to discuss implementation.
No changes to fees or a formal impact-fee program were adopted. The board directed staff to prepare supporting numbers and to coordinate a follow-up meeting with town finance staff and, if possible, officials from a neighboring town that administers impact fees.
