Hearing to examine higher stormwater impact fees

It’s the public’s chance to weigh in on a study that recommends a 10.3 percent increase in Kalispell stormwater impact fees.

The Kalispell City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed fee increases at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

The city hired HDR, a Missoula consulting firm, to review and update Kalispell’s stormwater impact fees, in line with a state law that requires the fees to be reviewed and updated every five years.

Kalispell’s current stormwater impact fee of $1,121 per newly constructed single-family home and $841 per duplex or multifamily unit is based on the city’s 2006 impact fee study. Commercial stormwater fees are calculated on impervious area, and range from $1,121 per 2,400 square feet up to $6,726 per acre.

The study’s proposed rates increase the single-family stormwater fee to $1,236 and duplex/multifamily to $927 per unit.

Commercial stormwater fees would increase to a range of $1,236 per 2,400 square feet to $7,416 per acre.

The purpose of stormwater impact fees is to bring equity between existing city utility customers and new customers connecting to the stormwater system.

“The city attempts to have ‘growth pay for growth’ and existing utility customers will, for the most part, be sheltered from the financial impacts of growth,” HDR said in its report.

Kalispell can adopt stormwater impact fees that are less than the calculated fees recommended in the report, but by doing so the city “will be sharing some portion of the costs associated with new or expanded development with the existing ratepayers,” the study advises.

In other business, the council will consider budget amendments for the Westside Interceptor and Sewer Line A replacement. Proposed is an increase from just over $7 million to $10.7 million for the capital outlay and bonded debt for the Westside Interceptor. Another budget amendment for the current fiscal year would increase the amount allocated from the sewer impact fee fund from $1.2 million to $1.7 million.

The Sewer Line 1 replacement project needs to be added as a capital outlay project from rates, according to a city memorandum to the council. The estimated cost for design and construction is $558,000. The council also will consider that amendment.

The council will vote on a resolution of intent to adopt the city’s newly completed downtown plan that addresses future growth and development of the downtown area.

Husky Partners LLC has submitted a West Side Urban Renewal-Core Area Tax Increment Financing District grant funding request. The company is developing a $2.2 million three-story, 24-unit apartment building at 1110 Husky Street,and has asked for tax-increment funding of $76,862. The money would offset the costs of site demolition, geotechnical technical assistance and infrastructure costs.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.