Standish council weighs public works impact fee, reviews town-owned land

The Standish Town Council discussed a proposed public works impact fee at its Sept. 22 workshop, with staff presenting options for splitting costs between new growth and existing taxpayers. Councilors asked for more detailed scenarios before deciding on percentages, and also reviewed an inventory of town-owned and tax-acquired properties, including three parcels on Boundary Road eyed for recreation.

Key points

• The council voted unanimously to amend the agenda and take up the public works impact fee discussion first.
• Staff presented a proposal to assess a one-time public works impact fee on new residential and commercial development, with a suggested 75-25 split between existing residents and new growth.
• Councilors raised concerns about the burden on new residential development versus commercial growth, with some favoring a higher share on new residents and a lower share on businesses to encourage commercial development.
• The council asked staff to return with several iterations of fee scenarios, including comparisons for a typical three-bedroom home and various commercial uses.
• Staff presented an inventory of town-owned and tax-acquired properties, highlighting three parcels on Boundary Road totaling over 350 acres that Economic Development supports retaining for recreation.
• Resident Tony raised concerns about wetlands on the Boundary Road parcels and questioned continued spending on public works building designs.

Next steps

• Staff will prepare multiple impact fee scenarios showing different percentage splits for residential and commercial development, including example costs for a typical home and commercial uses.
• Staff will continue internal discussions on the Boundary Road properties, including possible surveying of a parcel and checking on back taxes and ownership for the tax-acquired lots.
• Staff will look into the open space fee calculation this fall to see if it needs adjustment.

Read the full transcript