Committee will recommend against impact fees
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Dr. Michael McQuade is one of approximately 720 property owners who could be affected if the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors enacts impact fees. The board could address the issue later this year.

A committee set up by the board of supervisors is recommending against implementing impact fees, which could raise $50 million to improve Chesterfield's roads. The Chesterfield County Impact Fee Advisory Committee voted 4-2 last week to not endorse imposing a $5,820 fee on about 9,000 lots where property owners did not pay road proffers. All of the affected lots were rezoned before 1992 when the county initiated its proffer system.

Those voting against impact fees were Vice Chairman Ryland Reamy (president of the Brandermill Community Association), businesswoman Vicki Stitzer and builders George Emerson and Vernon McClure. Committee Chair Andrea Epps (Magnolia Green Development and member of the Brandermill Community Association board) and Ed Degenero (retired college dean of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College) favored impact fees.

"I can't believe the committee just decided against more road money," said Epps afterward.

"The majority didn't feel that a formula could be calculated and be equitable for all involved and be administratively feasible to the county," explained Reamy.

Assistant County Attorney Jeff Mincks, who served as an advisor for the committee, estimated previously that after credits were taken, the typical property owner would end up paying $5,820 to the county when applying for a building permit. But Reamy believed "there were some significant imbalances."

In several freewheeling weekly meetings the committee raised numerous issues, including whether the county board had already made up its mind to enact impact fees regardless of what the committee recommends.

"The board is playing catch-up to recapture fees for rezoning problems, which they created," said Dr. Michael McQuade. He is one of an estimated 720 property owners who will be affected if supervisors decide to enact impact fees. He owns 5.1 acres zoned for 10 homes and paid no cash proffers.

In its final report due Oct. 16, the committee is expected to recommend that an independent study be done to see if growth pays for itself. A study paid for by the Home Building Association of Richmond concluded that it did.

"The committee wants an independent study done on growth and its financial impact on the county," said Reamy. "We really don't have a good answer to that question."

In a meeting scheduled for this week, the committee may also make recommendations to the board in case the supervisors determine impact fees are necessary. The General Assembly approved legislation earlier this year that allows counties to charge impact fees after study by a committee, a recommendation by the commission and final approval by the board of supervisors.

To see a list of property owners who could be affected if impact fees are enacted, go to www.chesterfieldobserver.com and click on "Special."