REGIONAL SANITATION DISTRICT
APPROVES LANDMARK FEE STRUCTURE
The Board of Directors of the Sacramento County Regional Sanitation
District (SCRSD) has voted to adopt a landmark change in their sewer
impact fee structure. These fees are used to pay cost of constructing
regional interceptor sewers. The Board adopted a Tiered Infill Option
supported and urged by the LWVS.
Existing and previously proposed fees were the same regardless of the
location of the development. The Tiered Infill fee structure results
in significantly lower cost in infill areas where there is existing
development and higher cost new development or "greenfields"
areas. The adopted system results in lowering the cost in infill areas
where 70 percent of the land is already developed from $5250 to $2280
for a single family dwelling. The cost for new development areas will
increase from $5250 to 5850 per dwelling unit. At ultimate build-out
the total savings for development in infill areas would be approximately
$400 million today's dollars.
The adopted fee structure is technically justified because the since
the additional flow resulting from infill development only could be
accommodated by lower cost methods such as reducing infiltration of
water into the existing sewers and conservation practices such as low
fuel toilets and low water use washers. New development areas necessitate
the construction of new large and costly interceptors.
This new fee structure will encourage infill development and reduce
urban sprawl. This will result in reduced cost for other infrastructure
such as roads and water supply facilities. Open space and natural habitats
will be preserved and there should be a reduction in air pollution resulting
from m automobile travel. This is a true "smart growth" measure.
The change in the fee structure was the result of studies conducted
over the past six months and input from a stakeholder' Working Group,
including the LWVS Natural Resources Director at eight lengthy and focused
meetings meeting held since August, 2001.
The SCRSD stall should be commended for the open, objective and professional
manner they conducted this process.
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