The Woodland Planning Commission continued action on a proposed increase to school impact fees after extended discussion and public comment.

Travis Goddard, the city’s Community Development Director, presented an ordinance based on Woodland School District No. 404’s capital facilities plan and associated calculations (staff cited district resolution 2506). Goddard said the district’s recalculation moves the single-family impact fee from a flat $5,900 to $10,545.93 and the multifamily figure to $13,664.57; ADU fees would be set at 50% of the primary-structure rate under state law.

Several commissioners questioned the methodology and the timing; Goddard explained the district had used older housing numbers in its earlier plan and recalculated using more recent housing-capacity figures tied to the city’s comprehensive plan and an Exit 21 study. He said staff proposed a January 1 effective date to give developers with pending permit submittals a lead time.

Donna Butler, a member of the public who attends school-board meetings, told the commission she opposed the sharp increase. “I don’t like seeing fees increase,” she said, and expressed concern that high fees would worsen affordability and that enrollment in district schools has declined.

A motion to formally recommend against the school-district proposal was made but failed for lack of a second. Commissioners then moved to continue the item to the next meeting so the full commission could be present and the school district could present its methodology; the continuation passed on roll call. The commission scheduled the continued hearing for December 18 at 7:00 PM.

What happens next: staff will invite the school district to present its calculations at the continued meeting; the commission may make a recommendation to the City Council after that session.

Note: the school-district calculations and the supporting student-yield worksheets are included in the meeting packet.