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Maricopa adopts 'scallop' ordinance to advance and recover costs of frontage improvements
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Summary
Council unanimously approved a new code allowing the city to fund small, localized street and sidewalk improvements up front and recover costs via assessments on benefiting parcels with a 10-year repayment window.
The City of Maricopa on April 21 adopted an ordinance authorizing a "scallop" assessment procedure that lets the city finance targeted frontage and road improvements on undeveloped or under-improved parcels and recover the costs from benefiting properties.
Loan services director Rudy Lopez told council the tool is intended to spur small- and medium-sized business investment by making necessary street and sidewalk improvements sooner rather than waiting for private developers. Under the ordinance the city may declare a project a city project, construct improvements and place assessments on properties that benefit. The ordinance includes appraisal, notice and appeal procedures and generally includes a 10-year repayment window after which liens may expire if not paid.
Council members asked about gift-clause risks, taxpayer exposure and safeguards; staff said the statute contemplates these programs, projects must meet public-purpose tests and council retains case-by-case discretion. Council member Guerrero urged careful budget safeguards; the city manager noted available funds will limit how often the tool can be used.
The measure passed unanimously. Staff said the ordinance adds a transparent, statute-authorized option to development agreements and private lien mechanisms; potential use cases cited included infill sites where one developer previously shouldered frontage costs.
Council directed staff to return with implementation details as projects arise and to prefer prepayments where practical to reduce taxpayer fronting of costs.
