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Homebuilders missing from group studying impact fees in Anne Arundel
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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Homebuilders were noticeably missing from a group studying whether to increase development fees in Anne Arundel.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘miffed,’ but we would have liked to be at the table,” said Eric DeVito, president of the county chapter of the Home Builders Association of Maryland.
The committee was created by the Anne Arundel County Council to examine ways to increase impact fees — money paid by developers to expand schools and roads.
The County Council is at odds with County Executive John R. Leopold’s proposal to raise all impact fees significantly.
Housing developers are arguably the biggest group affected by impact fees, though officials have said the developers would pass the fee increase to the customers.
The group consists of residents, affordable-housing and smart-growth advocates, and a representative from a business development group.
Council Chairwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, said the homebuilders were not included because they had hired their own consultant and studied the issue.
“[The group] will consider [the homebuilders’] analysis just as they will the [county’s] analysis,” she said.
The County Council also is asking the county administration whether its consultant can develop a fee schedule based on a square footage, similar to what Howard does. The current proposal in Anne Arundel is based on the number of bedrooms.
The group also has a tough schedule. Vitale said the group must submit a preliminary report by March 17, though Robert Neall, chairman of the group, said that report may just say it received all the data on impact fees.
“We’ve got to strike a balance between allowing growth to continue, but not let it bring down the quality of life in the county,” he said.
On board
The Impact Fee Advisory Committee will examine ways Anne Arundel can raise its impact fees. It consists of:
» Robert Neall, chairman of the group and Chief Executive Officer of Priority Partners;
» Bob Burdon, president of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce;
» Al Johnston, a Severna Park resident and a member of the last impact fee advisory committee;
» Dwight Taylor, president of development for the Corporate Office Properties Trust;
» Dan Ellis, executive director of Arundel Habitat for Humanity;
» Jerry Walker, vice president of DCA Imaging Systems;
» Ann Fligsten, lawyer and director of the Growth Action Network;
» Bob Gallagher, riverkeeper of the Rhode and West rivers;
» Sam Georgiou, county resident.
jflanagan@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
9:10 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008 re: "Public comment missing from fee debate in Anne Arundel"
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8:32 AM MST on Tue., Feb. 19, 2008
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9:24 AM MST on Wed., Jan. 16, 2008
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5:17 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 7, 2008
re: "Anne Arundel Council divided over impact fees for developers"
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Ditto said:
Well, thanks for debate 101. Of course affordable housing is the answer. Yes, time is money. The rocket scientist plan only benifits whom?? The housing market pick up in the spring, regardless of recesion.
82 agree | 84 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
It is misleading to describe these fees as imposed on developers. They do not punish developers, they do not diminish the amount of land developed, they raise the prices of homes, the end user pays them. And because they are part of the cost of doing business, because profit is calculated on cost, developers and builders actually make money on these fees--and they must, if you understand how profit works. Builders and developers oppose these fees because they raise the price of homes, which reduces the market in size--fewer people have the money or appetite to buy the homes, which means the homes stay on the market longer and thus prices go up further--time = money. How sad that all of this is going on.
77 agree | 78 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
How much can everyone pay to Maryland. I believe this will slow everything down even more. Which hurts contractors in the building industry. We already pay enough for permits. Which we can't even get in a timely matter.
89 agree | 89 disagree
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Jen W said:
Another reason I LOVE Leopold. Developers are slime balls who could care less about the environment or anything else besides making money. It is about time they have to pay. Why should the tax payers bear the burden of more congestion and traffic while the developers keep getting richer?
100 agree | 109 disagree
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