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Impact fee resolution draws support, criticism

Published Thursday, June 18, 2009 12:13 PM

By Michael Tannebaum
Summerville Journal Scene ®

Members of the community descended upon Summerville High School on Tuesday to voice their opinions about an impact fee resolution that Dorchester District 2 officials may adopt as early as June 22.

Officials plan to impose a $2,500 fee per new dwelling unit built within the school district to raise funds for the construction of new schools, and they may begin levying the tax as soon as July 1.

Most of the district’s schools are at or over capacity and officials expect 300 additional students for the 2009-2010 school year.

Much of Tuesday’s public hearing focused on the district’s plan to not only impose the impact fees on new dwellings, but also on homes already under construction whose owners have yet to receive a certificate of occupancy.

William Auxt, who is currently building a home within the district, said homes already under construction should be exempt from the fee.

“I don’t understand how when people are struggling with their taxes now, you want to throw another $2,500 on (them),” Auxt said. “Do you want people to live in Dorchester County or don’t you?”

Shannon Dwinnell, general manager of America’s Home Place, agreed with Auxt that developments already under construction should be grandfathered in.

“People that purchased a piece of land or decided to build a home on land they already owned paid all the permits, met the requirements (and) now you’re going to tell them unless you pay another $2,500 you can’t move into your house,” Dwinnell said. “It’s wrong. It’s just wrong.”

Several people voiced their support for the impact fees, including Ken Seeger, president of MeadWestvaco’s Community Development and Land Management Group, which is based in Summerville.

“Our businesses are enriched and enhanced by the reputation of Dorchester District 2 schools,” Seeger said. “The value of quality schools cannot be underestimated. We believe good school raise home values. This resolution is a good first step in addressing the issue of school construction.”

Also voicing his support for the impact fees was former Summerville Town Councilman Howard Bridgman.

“I applaud your efforts and by all means get it as widely distributed as you can,” Bridgman told the school board. “Whatever this doesn’t pick up, we’ll all have to share.”

The current draft of the resolution states developers of new low-income housing and retiree housing with deed restrictions will be exempt from the tax.

District officials say the impact fees will not support the building of new schools on their own, but will be one of many funding sources.

In an interview Tuesday, Ryan Castle, government affairs director for the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, voiced his displeasure with the impact fees.

"A small group of activists despite nearly every election going against them for the last year is putting undue pressure on the school board, so I'd like to see the school board make a stand against impact fees instead of being forced to implement a tax they know is inequitable,” Castle said.

Board members did not respond to feedback at Tuesday’s public hearing and said they will instead consider the comments during future discussions about the resolution.

At the June 22 Board of Trustees meeting, district officials are expected to deliberate on, and possibly adopt, a final version of the resolution.

Contact Michael Tannebaum at 873-9424 ext. 215 or mtannebaum@journalscene.com
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