The Yucca Valley Town Council voted to maintain its current development impact fees. Managing editor Tami Roleff says there were some objections…
Despite public comment from two developers who said the public facilities development impact fees were too high and made housing unaffordable in Yucca Valley, the Yucca Valley Town Council voted unanimously to keep the fees at the same level they’ve been at since 2011. The impact fees for new houses in a subdivision are $9,081, while the town has established an incentive for infill development, with impact fees set at $2,568. Fees for commercial, general office, and industrial range from $1 to $7.85 per square foot, depending on the building size. The town uses the impact fees to pay for public facilities such as the library and animal shelter, parks and trails, storm drains and flood control, and street and traffic improvements throughout the town, and currently, the impact fees do not even come close to paying the full amount of these improvements.
Council members also authorized the town manager to vote “yes” on the Hi-Desert Water District’s assessment district vote. The estimated assessment and construction expenses for the town’s 31 properties in phase 1 are just over $1 million.
The council also approved a request from town staff to purchase a $3600 computer program that would help employees find grants. In the last three years, about $6 million in grants have been used for highway improvements, school resource officers, parks, and training.
The town council was also given a pessimistic look at gas tax revenue, which is declining dramatically. Town staff recommended that the council establish a reserve policy in gas tax revenue of 20 to 25 percent. This action will come back during the council’s budget hearings later this year.
YUCCA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL KEEPS CURRENT DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
