10282002 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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140. Regular Meeting October 28, 2002 Page 3 Mayor Habingreither introduced for consideration approval of one appointment to the Economic Development Council. Mr. Taylor moved to appoint Camille Phillips as the San Marcos Neighborhood Association representative, which passed unanimously. Mayor Habingreither introduced for consideration approval of one appointment to the Main Street Advisory Board. Ms. Narvaiz moved to appoint Herb Sanchez as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce representative, which passed unanimously. Mayor Habingreither introduced a staff presentation, public hearing and direction to staff regarding water and wastewater impact fee amounts. Mr. O'Leary gave an Impact Fee presentation and review of San Marcos projects. He stated the issues for review are financial update-debt paYments, growth trends, grandfathered projects paying lower impact fees, affordable housing and receiving direction. Mr. O'Leary presented a list of grandfathered projects eligible for lower impact fees and a list of projects under the new impact fees. He reviewed different affordable housing goals, existing housing programs and possible housing programs. Mayor Habingreither opened the public hearing. 1) Chris Carson, Realtor with Carson Properties, provided an analysis of billing rates. He stated the citizens of San Marcos pay higher rates compared to neighboring communities. He feels the answer is not to raise impact fees to the maximum level, which would shock the development community. 2) John Boswell, Economic Development Council, stated the EDC Board discussed the impact fees at their last meeting. They feel the Council should prioritize projects and keep the Impact Fee rate at $2,000. He stated he felt raising impact fees would hinder development and emploYment in the community. 3) Dianne Wassenich inquired what are the principal and interest rates for the period of 2001-2003. She urged Council to look at why San Marcos is getting so many apartments. She stated she feels the City will give away $30 million by grandfathering old projects. 4) Richard Skiles, Realtor, stated he feels the City is being unfair by asking the newcomers to pay more than their fair share. He stated he also feels the impact fee rate should remain at $2,000. 5) Fred Terry, Realtor, stated he thinks the information regarding the old projects is inflated and many will never happen. No one else wished to speak, so Mayor Habingreither closed the public hearing. Ms. Tatum inquired whether the City could phase in impact fees. Mr. O'Leary stated the impact fees could be phased in over a period of years. Mayor Habingreither stated he has not heard many complaints in regard to the $2000 impact fees. He asked what if the City did not grandfather projects. Mr. O'Leary stated the City could ungrandfather projects, but feels some projects may not occur because they would not be feasible with the added costs. Ms. Narvaiz asked if the City could place a time frame with a limit on when projects need to be completed, and if the development is not completed, they would be charged the new impact fee. Mr. O'Leary provided a handout regarding options for grandfathered properties. Ms. Narvaiz inquired as to the percentage of the development', which will be completed within a certain time frame. Mr. O'Leary stated some may never get off the ground and others may be completed in 20 years. Mayor Habingreither asked if the grandfather