9.f) Staff Report-Plan and Zoning Fees
Staff Report
Date of Meeting:
December 16, 2014
To:
City Council
From:
Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re:
Planning and Zoning Fees
Background:
At the September work session staff presented a proposal to adopt a master fee schedule. Currently
all fees are spread amongst number ordinances. After consultation with the City Attorney it was
determined that it would be more cost effective to accomplish this through the codification process
since all ordinances with a fee in them currently would have to be amended.
However, in addition to having a master fee ordinance, staff also proposed changing some fees to
cover costs incurred. Since the master fee schedule will be a few months away but the 2015 budget
is estimated based upon having costs covered, staff is proposing a fee planning and zoning fee
changes at this time.
Issue:
Should the Planning and Zoning Fees be adopted as proposed in Ordinance No. 159?
Proposal Details:
Staff is proposing changes to four different administrative permits in Ordinance No 159. The
first is an increase in the driveway access permit fee. The Public Works Director reviews these
applications. It requires him to review the plan as well as make a follow up inspection to the
site. $50 is the hourly rate for public works charges we discussed previously.
The second change is to lower the grading/land alteration fee but increase the escrow. The
application fee covers City staff’s time in handling the application and forwarding it to the City
Engineer. Any costs the City incurs from the Engineer in processing the application would be
paid for by the applicant, first deducted from the escrow and additional billing, if necessary,
before the permit is issued.
The next two changes follow the same methodology. The fee for the Lot Line Adjustment/Lot
Consolidation and Cell Tower Admin Permit would remain $50 to cover City staff’s time in
processing the application. Two escrow fees are proposed to cover the cost the City incurs from
the City Attorney or Planner in reviewing the applications.
Fiscal Impact:
Since we are netting expenses there won’t be much of an impact on the proposed 2015 budget.
Whatever costs the City incurs will be subtracted from the escrow.
Options:
1)Approve Ordinance No 159
2)Amend and then Approve Ordinance No 159
3)Make no changes to the current fees
Recommendation:
Option 1.