During its work session Tuesday, the Perry City Council agreed to move forward with a presented proposed ordinance that would establish guidelines for impact fees and their implementation. Impact fees would be added on to developments to finance infrastructure needs resulting from growth.
The city council will next hold two public hearings. Those would likely be held at the next two regular city council meetings, City Manager Lee Gilmour said. After the second public hearing, the city council can vote on the ordinance.
The proposed ordinance was based on a presentation made in April by city Community Development Director Mike Beecham. The suggestion was for impact fees to fund 50 percent of the costs for two fire stations and park totaling $4.4 million. Impact fees would fund $2.2 million of the project that would place fire stations near Interstate 75 and the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter as well as at Talton Road and Ga. 127. The funding would be collected during a 10-year period.
The impact fees would affect those living within a service area excluding land in the older part of the city along Perry Parkway.
Impact fees would be paid by developers when acquiring building permits. The fee for a single-family home would be $964. Fees for a manufactured home would be $482. Commercial structures would cost 41 cents per square foot while industrial buildings would cost one cent per square foot.
The ordinance allows for a 97 percent refund if construction has not begun on the capital projects within six years of implementation.
The ordinance also allows for exemptions for alterations to existing buildings where no additional living units are created, construction of accessory structures such as garages and replacement of structures that were in place before the ordinance was in effect. Beecham also suggested adding economic development structures and temporary structures to the list. Those recommendations will be added to an amended ordinance.
Mayor James Worrall said he expects the public hearing to attract many on both sides of the issue, particularly business owners and developers who have voiced opposition in the past. However, he pointed out funding for a new fire station is necessary and money has to come from somewhere.
"This city council has done their homework," Worrall said.
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To contact writer Natasha Smith, call 923-3109, extension 236.
