From The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel (Gary Harmon):
The Grand Valley Drainage District has slashed a fee it planned to levy on new construction to pay for storm-water improvements.
The district approved the reduction of the fee from $500 to $125 per equivalent-residential unit but also left open a way to increase the fee as economic times improve.
Some businesses in the district already have paid fees based on the $500-per-equivalent-residential unit, and any fees over $125 per unit will be repaid by the end of April, General Manager Tim Ryan said.
The development-impact fees were a sticking point between the district and critics of the fees. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce said they would be burdensome during an economic downturn.
“I appreciate the district’s recognition of the fragility of the economy, but this isn’t doing away with the impact fee, which is what the chamber originally asked for,” said Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the chamber.
Under the framework approved by the Drainage District board, the fee will remain at $125 per unit — or 2,500 square feet of impervious surface — until the pace of development picks up.
For every 10 percent increase in the value of building permits, the development fee will increase 25 percent, Ryan said.
“There’s a direct correlation between building permits and demand for drainage services,” Ryan said.
The district in the meantime is proceeding with plans to bill property owners within its boundaries for storm-water improvements.
Most homeowners will receive bills for $36 a year. Businesses, government buildings, nonprofits and others will be charged $36 a year, per 2,500 feet of impervious surface.
The bills are expected to go out at the end of March.