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Provo adopts updated storm drain master plan and ERU-based impact-fee approach
Summary
Council approved a storm drain master plan that identifies ~$76.8 million in future stormwater projects and proposes an ERU-based (equivalent residential unit) impact fee (~$1,500/ERU) to fund growth-related costs; staff said about $25.8M of projects would be impact-fee eligible.
Provo City Council on June 23 adopted an updated storm drain master plan that refines basin-level modeling, prioritizes capital projects and recommends a change in methodology for stormwater impact fees.
Engineering staff and consultants described citywide hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, use of machine-learning impervious-area delineation, and a split of proposed capital projects into A (confirmed) and B (watch-list) categories. Consultant Case Schz said the updated mapping and increased basin resolution allow the city to identify local flooding points and prioritize projects that protect existing neighborhoods while accommodating growth.
Carlos Garcia (stormwater engineer) summarized cost estimates: "The total program of capital improvements is approximately $76.8 million in today's dollars," he said, and staff estimated $25.8 million of that total would be eligible for impact fees. The plan recommends using an ERU (equivalent residential unit) approach that charges based on typical impervious area rather than gross acreage. Garcia explained the approach yields an estimated fee of about $1,477–$1,500 per ERU under current assumptions.
Councilors asked about the plan's funding gap for non-impact-eligible existing deficiencies; staff said those projects will be prioritized through the capital-budget process and funded from capital project funds and other city sources. Council approved the plan and directed staff to proceed with the technical work necessary to implement the ERU methodology in the impact-fee ordinance.
The new master plan also calls for periodic annual updates to impact-fee calculations so fees stay aligned with costs and avoid large, infrequent increases that destabilize development planning.
