Park Impact Fee Study Received

Jul 10, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       

Contact:  Mary Gibbs, director of Lee County Community Development,
(239) 479-8345                       

PARK IMPACT FEE STUDY RECEIVED
 
FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 10, 2007) – 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 Texas-based company, shows that fees for a single-family 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://lee-county.com/dcd/Downloads/Documents/Studies_Reports/Ordinances/ParkImpactFees.pdf

Prepared by: Joan D. LaGuardia, communications manager, Lee County Community Development, (239) 479-8705 or jlaguardia@leegov.com.

 

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