Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2016 20:45:37 -0500
From: stinmar1
Subject: $3500 verses $1100 impact fee
I have a simple question . Why is it that if I build a new single family home I pay a $3500 fee when a developer can build a multi family unit and pay only $1100 per unit . Just follow my logic for a moment . The purpose of an impact fee on new construction is to help pay for added infrastructure for roads and schools . With that said a single family home is just that where as a multi family units can group many more people in a smaller area greatly increasing the needs for new roads and schools .
This is a density issue so in my mind it should be the other way around a $3500 fee on multi family units as they increase population density in a small area where single family units don’t IMPACT the area as much . Furthermore I feel if you are a resident of Chatham County and you have lived here for at least ten years or more you shouldn’t have to pay an impact fee since your already a resident and have already paid taxes here . There are many retirees who want to downsize into a smaller home who have been land and home owners here for decades and they have already paid into the system and supported this county by living here . If these folks want to downsize and stay in this county I feel the impact fee should be waved for several reasons . One most folks semi retired and retired wont be adding and new children to the school systems , two they are not increasing the population and three they will be moving out of larger homes so younger families can buy these homes and fill them .
I feel the impact fees need to be modified to accomplish two things . First to encourage residents to stay in Chatham County when they decide to downsize after they empty the nest . Secondly instead of punishing folks with a hefty fee on new construction of a single family home the fees need to be based on home size . This is an example so lets say up to 999 square feet is an entry level fee of $500 then 100 to 1500 sq feet jumps up to $1500 , then 1500 to 2000 square feet $2500 . 2000 square feet to 2800 would be $3500 ,, with anything over 2800 square feet being $4500 . This is an example of a graduated scale that would be fair to home builders and the county . Multiple family units should pay at least $3500 per unit or more as they increase the density of population in an area and cost much more to maintain the infrastructure around them .
I really think this is a worth the time to discuss among ourselves .
Goodnite Mark