Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
CC:	Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
Date:	December 7 , 2006
RE:	Consideration of  Process to Review Impact Fee Ordinances

Commissioners,

Staff Attorney John Miller and I have been reviewing possible impact fee ordinance legislation, in conjunction with assistance from Steve Chinn and Trevor Wood.  As I identified in my budget transmittal letter, I recommend that the City Commission seriously consider this revenue source in pursing the public goal of installation of certain public infrastructure prior or concurrent with development.  Other communities have successfully implemented impact fees to ensure that public facilities such as arterial roads, public parks, fire stations, etc. are operational at the time they are needed for new development.  The City’s new park and recreation chapter in our comprehensive plan envisions additional park facilities in greater proximity to new development, and also envisions consideration of new revenues or dedications to make this standard a reality.

Consideration of impact fees should involve a robust discussion among affected stakeholders, and must be conducted in a manner which enhances our community.  For example, it is possible to increase the cost of development to an extent that other public values – e.g. housing affordability – is made more difficult.  Fortunately we can look to examples from other communities which prudently use impact fees to assist in avoiding this negative consequence.

Commission direction to conduct public discussion on possible impact fee legislation is desired.