Providence committee hears wide public testimony on $300 student impact fee; no vote taken

Providence — The Providence City Council Ordinance Committee on Nov. 13 held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would add a $300 annual student impact fee to properties occupied exclusively by students. Council members heard more than a dozen speakers representing neighborhood associations, landlords, lawyers and student tenants; the committee did not take a vote.

Councilwoman Shelly Peterson, who is sponsoring the ordinance, told the committee the fee is intended to hold landlords and developers accountable for neighborhood costs tied to concentrated student housing. "This fee applies to the landlord, not the students. It's $300 a year," Peterson said, and she said the proposal would also require data collection from colleges and direct revenues to a home repair fund rather than the general fund.

Neighborhood residents and association leaders urged the council to…