County looking to bump impact fees
Park fee to nearly double if commissioners approve
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY

A new study of impact fees for community and regional parks in Lee County proposes an increase of about 45 percent, due mostly to significant increases in the market value of land and the cost of construction and insurance.

The study by Duncan Associates, a Texasbased company, shows that fees for a singlefamily home could increase from $1,479 to $2,150. Fees for multi-family residences would be subject to similar increases.

Lee County has charged park impact fees since 1985. These fees were last updated in 2005. Before the Board of County Commissioners approves new fees, several county committees will review the proposal. The public will get its chance to address Commissioners at public hearings tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25 and Oct. 9.

The community and regional park impact fees ensure that new development contributes to the cost of capital improvements to maintain existing levels of service at parks and recreational facilities, said Mary Gibbs, director of Lee County's Department of Community Development. The purpose of this study is to determine the proportionate fair share of the capital costs of new park facilities that can be assessed to new development.

A copy of the Park Impact Fee Update study may be viewed online at http://leecounty. com/dcd/Downloads/Documents/ StudiesReports/Ordinances/ParkImpact- Fees.pdf.