Planning commission adopts amendment locking in impact fees and building code for River Terrace project

The Lompoc Planning Commission voted to adopt Resolution No. 103626, amending the development agreement with Williams Homes for the River Terrace project (DA2026-0001).

City staff told commissioners the amendment updates the project description and ownership language, acknowledges a separate reimbursement agreement between a Williams Homes entity and the city, applies building standards in the 2022 California Building Code and confirms that the city's 2025 impact fee ordinances apply. Staff said an addendum to the original environmental impact report found the changes would not increase environmental impacts and recommended adoption or other direction.

Mike Badger, representing Williams Homes, told the commission, "We're currently obligated to pay the 2025 impact fees... and all we're doing is we're just asking that to be locked in for the duration of the project." He said locking the fee schedule and the 2022 building code helps maintain construction consistency and avoids transferring fee increases into higher homeowner costs.

A staff member explained that a May 2025 city council ordinance revised the fee methodology — notably reducing transportation impact fees to zero — and that development agreements are typically responsible for fees in place when agreements are signed; the amendment aligns this development agreement with the council's action and updated methodology.

Chair moved to adopt the resolution; the Chair announced the motion passed 4-0-1. The planning commission formalized the amendment and did not direct further changes at the meeting.