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Mark Gillette urges council to lower hookup fees, supports granny-house option
Summary
Local resident Mark Gillette told the council high water and sewer connection charges have grown from roughly $1,600–$2,300 in earlier years to as much as $18,000 and urged the city to consider policy changes, including allowing accessory 'granny houses' and targeted annexations to restore lot viability.
Mark Gillette addressed the council during the public-comment period about what he described as a large, historic increase in water and sewer hookup fees that has made some infill lots uneconomical. "So around 2008, the council was asked to increase the permits of connections for new construction, for a 0.75 inch line or $1,600 or for a 1 inch line, excuse me, $2,300…so instead of costing 6 to 8000 dollars, put in water and sewer, it went to 18,000," he said, and urged the council to consider changes that would lower those costs.
Gillette also recommended policies to facilitate smaller rental units and accessory dwellings — commonly called "granny houses" — as a way to increase housing supply. He cited annexation and incremental programs used in other cities and asked the council to review possible code and fee adjustments. The council did not take action at the meeting but acknowledged the request and indicated staff would follow up to place the matter on a future agenda if warranted.
