Agenda - 03-30-1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PAGE 3 associated for providing new or expanded facilities necessitated by new growth and development. However, any fees or taxes collected should be used to provide facilities or services to benefit those who paid for them. The funds should be earmarked for a particular purpose and they should not be held indefinitely. He noted that the County needs to encourage more industrial and commercial development. SHERYL LLOYD WYNN spoke on Ben Lloyd's behalf. (A copy of the statement she made is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office). She read a statement from Ben Lloyd which opposed the impact tax. FRED B. CATES, Mayor of Hillsborough, submitted two letters for the record. These letters are in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office. The letters from Vietri Incorporated, Hillsborough and. Tricor, Charlotte asked that the impact tax not affect the Hillsborough area. Fred Cates stated he felt this would be a regressive tax. It has been commented that with Hillsborough excluded, the town would not participate in a fair share of contribution to the school system. He stated that on a per capita basis with developments of these sorts, that Hillsborough will contribute much more to the Orange County School systems than any other area of the county. He read a resolution from the Town Board of Hillsborough in which they requested to be exempted from the proposed Orange County excise tax on land development. PETE THORN (A copy of his complete statement is in the permanent agenda file in the Clerk's Office), stated his firm is actively involved in building affordable housing for new home buyers in Chapel Hill. He expressed concern because the impact tax proposal threatens the affordability of these homes. He believes that new homes can actually provide a net positive impact on local government tax revenue. He asked that the new home buyers not be burdened with any type of tax that is especially designed just for them. Rather, let everyone pay a fair share equally, since everyone benefits equally from the services that government provides. KENT SCOTT a local homebuilder, spoke in opposition to this tax. He feels that a lot of people cannot afford a home because already the cost of property is high. ALOIS CALLEMYN, local surveyor, spoke in opposition of this tax. He spoke in support of affordable housing. A lot of people live here because of their jobs and have no choice of going to other locations. He asked that if this tax is approved that there be an exemption for the lower end. Geoffrey Gledhill stated that the committee felt there were other ways to deal with the affordable housing issue. Callemyn stated that there should be a fair way to finance the growth coming into this area. He asked that the Board consider the small guy in this issue. BOB HARTFORD, Hartford Construction Company, questioned if there would be the same impact to someone adding to an existing structure. A lot of people would rather expand an existing structure than build a new one. Chairman Carey stated that, as the bill is written, additions also would be affected. However, the Board of Commissioners have not discussed additions to homes but he intends asking for an amendment that would exempt additions. SETH PARSONS, homeowner and property owner in Chapel Hill, stated concern with the title of the proposed legislation, which refers to part of the capital improvements. The purpose is to generate revenues to pay part of the cost of the capital facilities. He asked what part of the capital facilities this refers to and suggested why not 100%. For too long, the property owners have been subsidizing new development and new growth. He does not have the facts and would like to have the authorities make a study on just what