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Select Board adopts new zoning fee schedule after debate on post-facto penalties
Summary
After discussion about whether doubling fees for post-facto permits unfairly penalizes buyers, the Select Board voted to accept a revised zoning fee schedule presented by staff, adjusting hearing and recording fees.
The Select Board reviewed a revised zoning fee schedule that updated amounts for permit reviews, hearing fees, and recording fees and considered whether to keep a doubling penalty for post-facto permits. Planning staff recommended a consolidated schedule that included recording fees in standard charges and proposed higher fees for items requiring two hearings.
Board members debated the penalty that doubles the fee for permits obtained after the fact. Some members warned the doubling penalty could unfairly affect new owners or people who made honest mistakes; others said it discouraged noncompliance. Ultimately the board voted to accept the zoning fee schedule as presented. "I move to accept the zoning fee schedule as presented by Will," a board member said during the meeting prior to the board's unanimous vote to adopt the schedule.
