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Burns Harbor commission reviews proposed building-fee increases, debates residential exclusion
Summary
The redevelopment commission reviewed proposed changes to the town's building-permit fee schedule, discussing an exclusion for residential projects, a proposed increase to a manufactured-tag fee and whether the $1,000 permit threshold remains appropriate amid rising costs.
The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission reviewed proposed updates to the town's building-department fee schedule during a meeting in March, including a proposed exclusion to keep residential projects off an adjusted commercial/industrial fee table and an increase to a manufactured-tag fee.
Commissioners said the proposal, shown as adjustments to the code section labeled 15.5.2, would primarily affect commercial and industrial projects; staff said residential use could be excluded from the adjusted schedule so small home projects would not immediately see higher fees. Joe, Building Department staff, said the adjustments were drawn by comparing surrounding towns: "I looked at the surrounding towns and areas, and I included a quarter because...for fee schedules," he said.
Why it matters: changes to the fee schedule would affect construction costs for local builders and homeowners and could alter the town's permit revenues. Commissioners also questioned whether the town's exemption for projects valued under $1,000 still matched current construction costs.
Commissioners pressed staff on several specifics. One concern centered on a proposed increase to a manufactured-tag fee from $10 to $20; a commissioner cautioned that Indiana law requires fees tied to actual cost, and asked whether the proposed fee would exceed the documented cost of producing the tag. Commissioners also discussed whether the $1,000 threshold for requiring a building permit should be raised because materials and labor buy less than in past years.
Staff said even if the commission approves the schedule, implementation is likely to take time. A staff member noted there is typically a 90-day delay after ordinance passage before fee-collection changes go into effect, meaning changes would likely be implemented in 2026 if adopted.
The commission did not take a formal recorded vote on the fee schedule at the meeting. Commissioners suggested members review the draft schedule further and provide comments to Joe before a final recommendation is drafted for the town council to consider; the council would determine whether to hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance.
Clarifying details captured from the meeting: - Fee schedule reference: code section labeled "15 5 2" (reported in the meeting as the fee schedule showing current and adjusted prices). - Manufactured-tag fee under discussion: current $10, proposed $20 (discussed as requiring validation of actual cost). - Permit threshold discussion: current exemption for projects valued under $1,000; commissioners suggested the $1,000 figure "doesn't go as far as it used to" and should be considered for adjustment. - Implementation timing: staff cited a likely implementation window in 2026 because of a 90-day delay after ordinance passage.
The commission did not formalize the proposed changes into an ordinance at the meeting; staff were asked to accept written comments and return with any revisions before the commission makes a recommendation to the town council.
