The City Council approved a new transportation impact fee rate. Thea one-time fee is charged to new developments and will help fund transportation improvements that will be needed as development occurs in Fort Worth.
Transportation impact fees are applied to individual building permits and collected before the permits are issued.
The new rate calls for a 25 percent inflation factor to the current vehicle mileage fee amounts.
For example, the fee for a single-family home will increase to an average of $3,750. Other rates include $2,119 for an apartment unit, $23,808 for a 3,000-square-foot restaurant, $32,340 for a 10,000-square-foot office, $164,750 for a 50,000-square-foot retail establishment, and $225,000 for a 300,000-square-foot warehouse.
Discounts may be available depending on various factors.
City officials say this adjustment will place Fort Worth in the middle of Metroplex cities’ rates, but at the highest rate in Tarrant County.
Not everyone is happy with the adjustment, however.
“This is a kick in the face to our residents,” said Russell Fuller, president of the North Fort Worth Alliance, where there has been significant growth. “We presented our arguments in 2008 and 2013, saying growth has to pay for growth.”
City Planning and Development Director Randle Harwood said fees can be adjusted during a five-year period.
At Harwood’s request, the council voted to keep the current rate for the rest of the year, with the new rate to become effective on Jan. 1, 2019.
“This would allow the development community to adapt their performances to what the new rates will be next year,” he said.