APC approves interlocal agreement to provide permitting services to Eulan; fees tied to county schedule

The Area Planning Commission voted to approve an interlocal agreement to handle permit and variance applications for the town of Eulan, subject to an amendment clarifying that the town’s applicants will pay fees according to the county’s established fee schedule.

Planning director Deborah Lazier told the commission that Eulan adopted a unified development ordinance about six months ago but has had minimal permitting activity; the town asked the county to provide permitting support rather than maintain its own permitting staff. Under the proposed agreement, applicants seeking building permits or variances in Eulan would pay the same fees the county charges for equivalent services, plus a $50 administrative fee.

"They would pay whoever the applicant would pay — the exact same fees that if somebody else walked in and was requesting a variance or a building permit or something like that," Lazier said. "And then a $50 administrative fee on top of it."

Commissioners moved to approve the interlocal agreement with amended language tying the town’s charges to the county fee schedule; the motion passed by voice vote. The agreement was approved by the APC and will be forwarded for ratification by the county commissioners.

What it means: Eulan will rely on Boone County staff to accept permit applications, conduct inspections and process variances; the town reimburses the county through fees and the $50 administrative surcharge. Lazier said she did not expect heavy volume — the town has about 58 homes and only two vacant buildable lots — and staff do not anticipate a material increase in workload.