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Planning board approves change to recreation fee calculation; shifts to post-development land value
Summary
The Planning Board approved an amendment to how the town calculates recreation fee-in-lieu: the proposed change bases the fee on post-development land value rather than pre-development value. Staff said the fee remains due at final plat approval.
The Town of Pittsboro Planning Board on Monday approved an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that changes how the town calculates the recreation fee-in-lieu when developers do not dedicate on-site recreation land.
Paul Mesic (staff member) presented the change, explaining state law allows municipalities to require dedication or payment in lieu for recreation space and that the proposed amendment shifts the valuation method from pre-development land value to post-development land value when computing the fee. Under the revised calculation the fee is determined using an estimate of the land’s value after development (for example, following subdivision and installation of streets, water and sewer) rather than the raw land value before improvements.
Board members asked clarifying questions about how “post development” is defined and when the fee is collected. Mesic said the calculation is an estimate of the land value after development; the fee is still due at final plat approval, which the board clarified typically occurs when the project is at least 75 percent complete for the plat stage.
Several board members and staff discussed edge cases — for example, small or discontiguous land parcels where the post-development value calculation could produce outlier results. Mesic said staff would continue to review valuation procedures and that applicants would calculate the acreage that is required by the ordinance and then pay the fee-in-lieu for any shortfall at final plat.
On a motion to approve the proposed amendments as presented (mover not specified in the minutes, seconded by Christina Piard), the board voted in favor and adopted the revised calculation method.
Staff said the amendment is a calculation method only; timing of payment remains at final plat approval and the amendment does not change the town’s ability to accept on-site dedication or require on-site facilities where feasible.
