Agenda - 05-26-1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Clearly, these standards are significantly higher than both the current "local averages" and the State standards. The higher standards raise the issue of whether the same standards are being applied to both components of the community; i.e., existing development and new development. As indicated previously, if the community wants to raise the existing standards of service, it must identify the existing deficiencies and make provisions to eliminate those deficiencies by means other than impact fees. For the purpose of calculating impact fees for public school facilities, the issue of higher standards suggests again that "local averages" be used. However, neither School Board has formally adopted service standards for public schools, and the use of "local averages" is more a case of historical circumstance than a clear decision on what standards are best for the county. Furthermore, as will be evidenced in this report, the use of State standards shown in Table 6 provides for a more legally defensible and financially affordable system of impact fees. DETERMINING THE COST OF ACCOMMODATING DEVELOPMENT Once physical quantities are established, costs must be determined. The manner in which cost information is obtained or expressed is an important factor in establishing standards because the objective is first to determine capital improvement cost per unit of development and then determine a proportionate share of those costs. It follows that standards, costs, and shares of costs must be in consistent units. The best sources of these data are actual local records. However, local records in terms of new school construction in Orange County are limited. The only new school built in recent years is the New Hope Elementary School,at a cost of approximately $78 per square foot. The same square foot-cost is recommended by the Chapel Hill - Carrboro School Board for its proposed new elementary schools. Another elementary school for the Orange County School Board would probably have a similar square foot cost. In addition, both Chapel Hill - Carrboro and Orange County School Boards want a new middle school, estimated to cost $80 per square foot. Finally, a new high school proposed by the Chapel Hill- Carrboro system is estimated to cost $92 per square foot. These construction costs are well above the $65 per square foot recommended by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction for school planning purposes. A major reason for this is that the new elementary school as well as the others proposed by the two School Boards are considered to be model schools, containing areas for public use such as auditoriums, gymnasiums, and playfields. Because these schools offer facilities which go beyond meeting the basic educational needs of the community, the cost of $65 per square foot recommended by the State was used in the impact fee calculation. Added to this cost were architectural and engineering fees equal to 10 percent of the construction cost. Also added was the cost of equipment and furnishings, estimated to be equal to 10 percent of Page - 6 fl L� 11