Developer and attorneys challenge recreation fee; board explains fee purposes and fund limits

Attorneys representing developers and a project representative asked the board to apply an earlier recreation fee level for the HH Nazareth Nest project rather than the township’s 2023 fee schedule. Attorney Charlesworth said the prior plan was similar and questioned why the higher fee applied. Manager Lori A. Stauffer and Solicitor Gary Asteak explained that the recreation fee funds park improvements and that the township’s Open Space fund balance is $173,479 while the Open Space EIT balance is about $6 million; Asteak clarified the EIT may be used only for land acquisition, not recreation improvements. No motion was made to accept a lower fee.

Board members said the fee was adopted following a staff study and is intended to cover park needs; Nancy A. Teague noted the fee increase was phased in and intended to fund long-term park improvements. Developer representative J. Huratiak challenged the fee and indicated his client might pursue further action, arguing the township lacks a study to justify the higher fee.