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Kanosh council sets public hearing after impact-fee study proposes higher development charges
Summary
Council reviewed an impact-fee study that would raise water-related development fees and agreed to hold a public hearing in January; members debated the size of the jump, timing, and the ordinance and 90-day enforcement window following adoption.
Kanosh Town Council reviewed a consultant’s impact-fee study recommending a new schedule of development charges designed to help the town recoup past water-system investments and pay for future maintenance. Council members said the packet shows a current impact figure of $5,700 and a multi-year depreciation schedule that reduces the fee over time, while some members urged caution about imposing the full increase immediately.
The packet, described to council by staff, explains the calculation behind the proposed fee and notes the town previously spent roughly $212,000 on a well project and other system improvements that feed into the fee calculation. One council member said the primary goal is to shift some of the infrastructure cost to new development so fixed-income residents do not bear the full burden. Another council member said a sudden jump could deter housing construction, and asked staff to present total expected hookup costs — including electric and water impact fees — to show the full cost to a prospective builder.
Staff reported that water impact fees must be adopted by ordinance and that, by rule, any enacted fee cannot be charged until 90 days after the public hearing and formal adoption. The council set a public hearing and follow-up ordinance item for the January meeting to allow public input and to ratify the ordinance if the council chooses. Several members said they will use the public hearing to collect community feedback and consider phased or reduced initial rates.
Next steps: staff will publish the required hearing notice, present the full impact-fee schedule and supporting analysis at the January meeting, and include clarifying cost examples that show combined water and electrical hookup estimates for developers.
