Sandy Springs Council Updates Impact Fee Policy

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The Sandy Springs City Council on Tuesday approved two changes that will determine impact fees assessed for new development.

Council members unanimously adopted its annual Capital Improvements Element update, and the amended the Impact Fee section of the city’s ordinances.

Changes are effective immediately.

The Capital Improvements Element establishes where and when certain new capital facilities will be provided within a jurisdiction as well as the extent to which they may be financed through an impact fee program.

City staff presented proposed changes to the CIE in June, and sent the proposed document to the Atlanta Regional Commission and Department of Community Affairs for approval.

The draft was approved by both agencies. Changes to the plan include the addition of path, sidewalk and bike trail elements within the impact fee structure.

Following approval of the CIE, the council reviewed and approved a revised the Impact Fee section of the Code of Ordinances.

The original code was adopted in 2007. Changes streamline the code to address the three functions for which impact fees are collected under one section and clarify the administrative functions of the code to make clear the process for appeals, when fees are paid and outlines exemption criteria. These revisions also amend the fee schedule to adopt a set of fees that more closely align with the projected costs of the construction of new public improvements.

The impact fee revisions also add exemptions to encourage projects containing affordable workforce housing.

The new code provides a reduction in impact fee when a housing project proposes to create at least 150 new or replacement housing units and at least 20 percent of the units are made available to individuals or families with annual incomes of no more than 120 percent of the annual median income of all households in the city.

Exemptions are also possible for any housing project of at least 150 housing units that proposes to replace at least 150 existing rental housing units with no less than 75 percent of the units intended for home ownership.

All permits filed beginning Wednesday, Oct. 19 will fall under the revised code.

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