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333 <br /> looking at those options, the Board decided to conduct a second public <br /> hearing. The system that is proposed for , consideration includes fees th?'- <br /> range from $500 to $750 on average per residential unit. Mr. Collins brief <br /> outlined the growth in the student population which has led to a need for two ` <br /> new elementary schools. Revenues from such a fee range would generate <br /> approximately $770, 000 to $1. 2 million for both school districts during the . <br /> first year. It would take an increase in the property tax rate of 1.8 to 2 .8 <br /> cents to raise similar amounts. In terms of general ordinance administration, <br /> existing homes would not be required to pay impact fees. Credits are also <br /> possible for developers who donate land for school sites and/or install <br /> utilities which would serve proposed school sites. The fees would be <br /> collected at the time the Certificate of Occupancy is issued, and distributed <br /> to the school district in which collected. <br /> THERE WERE NO COMMENTS OR OUESTIONS FROM THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR MEMBERS <br /> OF THE PLANNING BOARD <br /> THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPEN FOR CITIZEN COMMENTS <br /> DIANE POZEFSKY, Co-President of the Ephesus PTA in Chapel Hill, spoke <br /> in favor of the impact fees. She stated that the classrooms today are <br /> inadequate and there will be additional students next year. She noted that <br /> the price of housing is not an issue with many people when looking for the <br /> best school system in the area. She feels that impact fees will not hurt the <br /> home buyer but will help improve the schools. <br /> SCOTT RADWAY spoke in support of the schools but against the impact... <br /> fees. He feels that the impact fee will not generate what is needed and <br /> being done on the backs of a few people who can least afford it. The growl. <br /> rate for the last five years has been half of the projected 3% growth rate. <br /> This means that less money will be generated than anticipated. He stated that <br /> the big demographic change in the community and the one driving major <br /> increases in school enrollment is not the new housing units but the changeover <br /> of the existing housing units. This proposal does not address this issue. <br /> By using the average family size and single family dwelling units, it would <br /> take 2,200 units a year to generate 670 students from new housing. He favors <br /> paying an additional property tax to fund. the schools that are needed. <br /> CARL WALTERS noted that he has studied the effects of imposing impact <br /> fees in other areas and found that impact fees did not slow growth or put a <br /> burden on low income families. This will help hold down the property tax rate <br /> and provide the needed facilities for schools for the next few years. <br /> HARVEY GOLDSTEIN, Vice-President of the PTA Council of the Chapel <br /> Hill./Carrboro Schools, spoke in support of the impact fees to partially <br /> finance a new elementary school. He noted that the schools are overcrowded. <br /> The impact fee is appropriate because facilities are already at or over <br /> capacity. Additional growth requires a large capital outlay for facilities. <br /> He feels that the impact fee would have a very slight impact on housing <br /> affordability. Using a fee of $1, 000 and a $100, 000 house, the homeowner <br /> would pay an additional six to nine dollars a month in their mortgage payment. <br /> In terms of development, there is no evidence across the country that irpar' <br /> fees of this magnitude adversely affect economic growth or econom <br /> development. In the Chapel Hill/Carrboro school district, the demand does not <br /> decrease if the price of the house increases. This is because of the very <br />