$100,000 in impact fees spark discussion in Fort Mill

Early numbers are beginning to tell the story of new impact fees in Fort Mill. But is it the whole story?

Through Nov. 30, two full months of impact fees collections, brought in $76,818 for town recreation, $23,558.32 for municipal services and $9,360.66 for fire service.

Those dollars can go toward capital needs projects. Fort Mill Town Council gave initial approval Dec. 14 to a measure that would add a new fire station near Dobys Bridge Park to the list.

The information about the dollars led to a resumed discussion on whether Fort Mill should have impact fees. Council discussed and debated the one-time fees, charged on new construction in town, for a year before approving the fees this summer. Concerns from the school and business communities arose, however, because those types of construction would be charged the fees along with new residential development.

Council members voted 4-3 to to institute reduced rates for municipal and fire service, which charge all types of construction. They didn’t pass any fees for transportation, a main need for the town looking to improve roads, but also the category that would put the most strain on business. Council members charged almost the full amount allowed by law on recreation, which only charges residential construction.

Impact fees may have had a role in the seat swap coming on the council in January. Councilman Tom Adams, a proponent of the fees, and Councilwoman Guynn Savage, the strongest voice against them, ran to replace outgoing Mayor Danny Funderburk in a race where little else in their voting record distinguished between the two.

Savage won in November, while incoming Councilman Chris Moody won the seat Adams holds until the new year.

Adams points to the early impact fee collections as proof why council needed to implement them.

“The money, especially for recreation, I’m sure we’ll be making very good use of,” he said. “And that’s all money that our taxpayers aren’t paying.”

Savage countered that early reports, and financial updates to follow, are incomplete.

“It’s very unfortunate that we don’t have a report for businesses that have been turned away,” she said.

Impact fee collection rates can be changed by council at any time. Council can add to the list of items the money can fund at any time, too. Council members and town staff agree the fees only will supplement services, and won’t pay the full amount needed for a growing community in any of the categories.

Other items

▪ Also on Dec. 14, council gave initial approval to an annexation of more than 8 acres at 1122 Hensley Road. Applicant Bryan Tuttle said plans there are for 24 homes likely starting in the $300,000s. Homes won’t be age-restricted, but lot sizes and other marketing toward an older age set won’t make them “terribly interesting to a family with children,” he said.

The site will have more than 30 percent open space, but no large amenity to upkeep.

“It’s probably not what the residents are going to want,” Tuttle said.

Savannah Place resident Patti Schmidt said she supports the new development. The area beside her neighborhood has cars, tires and flower pots filled with water, she said.

“My home is directly behind the eyesore,” she said. “I only see good coming of it.”

James Cocilova, homeowner association president at Savannah Place, said most neighbors there have the same opinion. Negative feedback has been “none at all,” he said.

“It’ll be a great thing to see some new development going up,” Cocilova said.

▪ The Dec. 14 meeting also was the final full one for Funderburk and Adams. The first meeting of the new year will include the installation of a new mayor and council member. Councilman Larry Huntley, mayor pro tem for six years under Funderburk, applauded the continued service Funderburk had with the town.

“I never once had to hold a meeting,” Huntley said. “He never once missed a meeting.”

Council next meets Jan. 11.

This story was originally published December 21, 2015 at 9:58 AM with the headline "$100,000 in impact fees spark discussion in Fort Mill."