Fort Worth transportation impact fees: What do you think?

by Bernie Scheffler of of West and Clear

My neighbor and friend of West and Clear Mike Lee reported in the Star-Telegram this week that the city delayed its decision on transportation impact fees. Quite naturally, developers don’t want to pay the fees and are lobbying hard to lower the price.

I think the city staff’s original proposal, which would have encouraged growth in areas that already have sufficient infrastructure, was an excellent plan. The proposed compromises, which would levy a much lower fee across the city, including areas that already have good roads (!?), would be an unfortunate example of the citizens’ best interest being ignored in favor of corporate developers.

Here’s an excerpt of Lee’s article (which I linked to above):

City staffers initially proposed a series of fees ranging from nothing in the central city, where there are already adequate roads, to more than $6,000 for a single-family home in far-reaching areas. The idea was to create an incentive for developers to build in areas where roads already exist, and eliminate ‘leapfrog development.’

But a committee of developers, real estate agents, contractors and engineering firms worked out a compromise that would have assessed a flat fee of $1,500 for a single family home across most of Fort Worth. The developers said they were worried that the original proposal would discourage new construction.

I think the argument that it would discourage new construction is rather disingenuous; This will not discourage development, but rather encourage a higher quality pattern of development.

I would personally encourage city council members (some of whom I know read this blog from time to time) to back the staff’s original plan. The city as a whole simply cannot afford to grow indiscriminately; we must strive for a sustainable model of growth that will position Fort Worth strongly in the new economy. A region blanketed in poorly-planned hinterland communities will not cut it.

(And I have to give some rare props to Carter Burdette, who in response to the lowball compromises of the developers, realtors, and mayor, proposed an even HIGHER fee structure. Way to stand up for your constituents, Mr. Burdette!)