Agenda - 05-04-1992 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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C7 Stella Mauncell stated that as a professional she has been involved with swimming for 45 years. There are tremendous needs in this county. She is surprised by the number of people who cannot swim. There are also other segments of the society that can benefit from the pool. Elvira Mebane stated that the people in the Efland Cheeks community are in favor of this proposal. They either have to go to Alamance County or Chapel Hill for swimming facilities. She asked the Board to please consider this pool for all the people in Orange County. Bobby Nichols does not support the swimming pool. He feels there is better use for four million dollars. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CONTINUED FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL WRITTEN COMMENTS C. PROPOSED SCHOOL IMPACT FEES Planning Director Marvin Collins stated that this is the first of two public hearings on impact fees which would assist in financing construction of new school facilities necessitated by growth in Orange County. He stated that impact fees will be paid by those moving into the County because they create the need for additional services. The purpose of these fees and the fee schedule is to finance school capital needs which have been identified over the next six years. He presented two options. Option #1 showed the impact fee that would be necessary to raise $2 million and Option 2 showed the impact fee that would be necessary to raise $3 million. The fees will apply to new construction only, not existing housing. There are several alternatives for when the fee may be collected. He said that one concern is that this fee adds to the cost of low and.moderate income housing and the major concern is the regressive nature of the fee. The Public Hearing was open for citizens comments. VIC KNIGHT stated that he knows it is a difficult task to fund the needs of the schools. He does not feel this is the way to pay for school needs. This will impact on the sale of real estate. People will view this as a tax. The Board of County Commissioners has indicated that affordable housing is a key concern. This impact fee is not a benefit to the majority of people in this county. He is against the implementation of these fees. JIM GRAY made reference to the News of Orange and the article about impact fees. He stated that usually fees are due at the time the plat is submitted. Few waivers are given. When Habitat for Humanity was issued alternate funds they had to find the money to pay these fees up front. Fee payment is set up in a county Ordinance. He made reference to the way fees are levied in an urban County adjacent to Washington, DC. The fee for a single family dwelling is $2,096 - flat across the board. They allow no waivers even for Habitat. Only the areas where development is occurring were included in this program and the money was used in this specific area. The fee is added to the mortgage which means that interest is paid on this fee. The price for existing homes automatically goes up and buyers must pay more. It also reduces the opportunity for first -time home buyers. It does raise