Wellington trustees table ordinance that would grandfather pipeline developments into prior impact fees

WELLINGTON — The Wellington Board of Trustees on April 14 debated whether to give developers a temporary break from recently raised capital investment fees and ultimately voted to table a staff-backed ordinance that would have “locked” prior fees for developments already in the pipeline.

Megan Smith, deputy director of public works, told the board the ordinance is intended "to provide clarity, fairness, predictability, and how the town applies capital investment fees to developments that are already in the pipeline." She described a staff recommendation for a time-limited phasing approach: eligible projects that met specific criteria before April 1, 2026 (final plat recordation, an executed development agreement, or a complete building permit submission) would pay 100% of the prior fees for a multi-year period and transition to current fees on April 1, 2030.

The measure drew sharply different reactions from developers, housing advocates and trustees. Darren Roberson, a Sage Homes developer, said predictable timing and known fee levels are essential for projects to close financing and move forward: "When we know our outcome and know a direction, that's what we really need as a development company and a building company." Aaron Blackstone, vice president of the Wellington Housing Authority and an incoming trustee, warned the new rates already put affordable housing at risk: "The new re rates at approximately 5,200 per unit for multifamily development, which for a typical 75 unit project translates to nearly $390,000 in additional costs." Blackstone asked the board to direct staff to study tiered fees or other mitigations for affordability.

Several trustees raised fiscal concerns about a multi-year fee lock. Trustee Teets said a four-year lock could create a revenue gap that would be absorbed by enterprise funds or existing ratepayers: "The 4 year lock at prior fee level creates a gap between actual infrastructure costs and the revenue collected. The gap does not disappear." Other trustees proposed alternatives including a shorter transition period, case-by-case fee locks through development agreements, or more time for staff and the newly seated board to review options.

After debate and several procedural motions, the board adopted a motion to table the ordinance to a future meeting rather than vote on adoption. No date certain was set.

The proposed ordinance named several pipeline developments that could qualify under staff’s definition, including remaining lots in Sage Meadows 2nd Subdivision, Saddleback and commercial properties such as Wellington Business Center and Box Elder Business Park. Smith told trustees staff reviewed enterprise fund forecasts under multiple scenarios and concluded the phasing approach could be managed, but warned trustees the range of outcomes depends on development pace.

Next steps: Town staff will schedule further work with trustees to refine options; Miss Garcia (town administrator) said she will set a work session for the new board to review impact-fee policy and related affordability tools.

(Reporting for this item is based on the board presentation and the public-comment and debate recorded during the April 14, 2026 meeting.)