Board defers impact fees, waits on General Assembly
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors unanimously deferred a decision last week until Mar. 12 on whether to impose impact fees on about 9,000 residential lots, which could raise about $45-$50 million dollars to improve county roads. The fees would apply to lots that were rezoned to residential before the proffer system went into effect.

Because the board did not close the Jan. 9 public hearing on impact fees, four speakers spoke out again against the proposed $5,820 fee that would have to be paid if and when a building permit is applied for.

"This fee would fall on the unfortunate few," said Kimberly Sanchez. "[The county needs to] develop a unified transportation plan."

"Reject impact fees," urged Warren Wakeland, spokesperson for the Home Building Association of Richmond.

The staff proposal recommends that impact fees apply only to residential lots - not commercial - that did not pay a proffer. Residential lots that have already been subdivided or are part of a CDA (Community Development Authority) would be exempt. Lots for homes that sell for less than $200,000 and properties subdivided into family lots would also be exempted.

The board appears to be divided on the impact fee issue. The motion by Midlothian Supervisor Dan Gecker to delay the vote avoids a disagreement by the board on an issue it might not get to decide anyway. Senate Bill 768, proposed by State Senator John Watkins (R-Chesterfield), would do away with the county version of impact fees and proffers and impose a $7,500 fee on all lots. Earlier this month, the board voted to strongly oppose Watkins' bill, and last week board members said losing proffers would cost the county financial resources it needs to build infrastructure for new development. The school board also sent a letter to Watkins last week opposing the legislation and asking that it be set aside until next year so more study can take place. (To read the letter, visit www.chesterfieldobserver.com and click on "special," located in the menu on the left side of the homepage.)

"It's a dangerous bill," said Art Warren, the board's usually understated chairman. "It will hurt a lot of counties around the state. There will be a price to pay."

"Our meetings will be shortened considerably because rezonings will halt," added Gecker.

"The Watkins' bill will hurt Chesterfield County the most," said Matoaca Supervisor Marleen Durfee. "Who do we knock on to pay for infrastructure?"

Under Watkins' bill, the impact fee of $5,820 under consideration would increase to $7,500, but the proffer would be reduced from the maximum of $15,600 per home. The board is also considering increasing the maximum proffer by $7,000 this spring.

Late last year, the Chesterfield Planning Commission unanimously recommended against enacting impact fees after a committee set up by the county board also gave a thumbs down on the idea. The General Assembly approved legislation a year ago 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.

The county's impact fees, if passed, would go to improve transportation. After the Transportation Summit in November, 2006, former County Administrator Lane Ramsey said the budget to be approved last April would set in motion a plan for funding the county's $1.2 billion estimated shortfall for roads. However, last year's board chose not to earmark funding for road improvements but did reduce the property tax rate by 7 cents, which offset rising housing assessments.