Friday, December 20, 2002
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Friday, December 20, 2002 |
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Senoia studying impact fees By JOHN
THOMPSON
The city of Senoia took a big step Monday night toward the implementation of impact fees. The City Council approved spending up to $27,000 for the initial studies of drafting an impact fee ordinance. Three parties will be involved in the process; city planner Bill Johnston, city engineer Ben Turnipseed and the consulting firm of Ross and Associates. For more than a year, the City Council has been wrestling with the issue of impact fees and debating whether it would be a good way to pay for the infrastructure improvements that the city's growth is causing. In a presentation last week, Ross told the Senoia City Council that planning was the key in creating a successful impact ordinance. The city would have to create a capital improvement element, which would show what infrastructure needs are needed from the new growth. Ross cautioned that impact fees could only be charged for the new infrastructure needs, and not anything the city already needs, but can't fund. Impact fees can only fund system wide upgrades, such as water systems, wastewater treatment plants, road, emergency services facilities and personnel and libraries. Mayor Dianne Cleveland said the city is eager for the impact fee process to begin, and is anxious to see the study's results.
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