Vacaville staff present options to lower proposed development impact fees; council to consider Sept. 23

City staff presented a set of options to city council at a public outreach meeting aimed at lowering the proposed development impact fees (DIF) and transportation impact fees (TIF), and asked for council direction ahead of a Sept. 23 study session.

The staff presentation summarized six proposed transportation-project rescopings, changes to the parks and recreation fee package and several policy options, including adopting a Quimby ordinance, targeted incentives for specific project types and timing of fee implementation. Aaron Morris, Director of New Development, said staff is recommending residential fees take effect July 1, 2026, and a three-year phased implementation for nonresidential fees beginning July 1, 2026. "Staff is recommending that the council direct implementation of the residential fees effective 07/01/2026," Morris said.

Why it matters: the staff options would reduce the amount of infrastructure the DIF and TIF must pay for now, lowering per-unit charges for new development while leaving larger or costly elements for later study or implementation. That could materially change costs for builders and the timing of projects that rely on DIF/TIF funding.

Staff described specific project rescopings that would reduce the TIF total and per-unit charges. Brian McLean, a staff presenter,…