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County executive warns of $28 million shortfall as council hears arguments on development impact tax changes
Summary
At a public hearing, the county executive’s representative warned Bill 16-24 could reduce impact tax revenue by more than $28 million over six years; developers and affordable-housing advocates urged exemptions to spur housing near transit and support small-home projects.
A public hearing Oct. 1 on Bill 16-24 drew competing arguments about whether changes to development impact taxes would ease housing production or undermine the county’s capital program.
Rachel Silberman, speaking for the county executive's Office of Management and Budget, urged caution. "The planning board's proposed impact tax and growth in infrastructure policy changes are expected to have a negative fiscal impact of more than $28,000,000 over the next six fiscal years," she said, and asked the council to "do no harm" until a study group can identify alternative revenue streams.
Former councilmember Nancy Floreen urged the council to use the bill to advance affordable housing, proposing that the council permit a 100% exemption from school and transportation impact taxes for fully affordable units and small-unit prototypes. "This bill offers you a real chance to do something, not just talk," she said.
Developers and property owners asked for narrow revisions to the draft, including a four-year extension of impact tax credits for sites that front-loaded major transportation improvements and exemptions for transit-adjacent projects with no on-site parking. Community housing advocates cautioned that impact taxes are consequential to affordable-housing finance and urged continued or expanded waivers for nonprofit providers.
The county has scheduled a committee work session on Oct. 10 to continue deliberations; the hearing record will remain open until the published comment deadline.
