4. Discussion of a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 4 of the Frederick City Code (the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance) to establish a Downtown Frederick Mobility Fee District and make additional revisions
Fees in lieu of road improvements in the Historic District seem to be a reasonable response when road improvements are not possible. However, why exempt any developer from the fee? Why should the fee be applied differently to new construction vs. improvements to or renovations of existing buildings? Why allow office space developments to pay less into the mobility fund based on an "assumption" (always dangerous) that office workers have less impact on transportation infrastructure? We all share the limited road/sidewalk space; we all should be invested in our shared community. Developers should consider the fee the cost of doing business in a vibrant and sought-after community and should want to contribute to addressing the need for improved mobility--of pedestrians, bicyclists, cars, public transportation.
Downtown Frederick Partnership is thrilled to support the proposed Downtown Frederick Mobility Fee. This important legislation has many benefits including the opportunity to move from fees paid to consultants for studies that will sit on a shelf to fees paid to implement improvements. The new mobility fee also provides an opportunity to support improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. The ability to focus a fee on improved mobility is not available within the City fee structure today. A part of the discussion will be where to set the fee. The Partnership’s Live Downtown Frederick Case Study Project clearly showed that it is difficult for projects to achieve a rate of return that results in a developer moving forward to project implementation. The lack of return is an even greater issue for smaller projects which include renovations of existing buildings and/or improvements to accommodate a change of use. The lack of return is the result of many issues including the cost of developing in a historic, urban environment and the many fees required to be paid. As a result, it is important to look at any individual fee within the entire fee structure. The Partnership encourages the setting of the fee in order to meet City goals of incentivizing infill development and in keeping with the context of the entire fee structure. Kara Norman, Partnership Executive Director
Fees in lieu of road improvements in the Historic District seem to be a reasonable response when road improvements are not possible. However, why exempt any developer from the fee? Why should the fee be applied differently to new construction vs. improvements to or renovations of existing buildings? Why allow office space developments to pay less into the mobility fund based on an "assumption" (always dangerous) that office workers have less impact on transportation infrastructure? We all share the limited road/sidewalk space; we all should be invested in our shared community. Developers should consider the fee the cost of doing business in a vibrant and sought-after community and should want to contribute to addressing the need for improved mobility--of pedestrians, bicyclists, cars, public transportation.
Downtown Frederick Partnership is thrilled to support the proposed Downtown Frederick Mobility Fee. This important legislation has many benefits including the opportunity to move from fees paid to consultants for studies that will sit on a shelf to fees paid to implement improvements. The new mobility fee also provides an opportunity to support improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. The ability to focus a fee on improved mobility is not available within the City fee structure today. A part of the discussion will be where to set the fee. The Partnership’s Live Downtown Frederick Case Study Project clearly showed that it is difficult for projects to achieve a rate of return that results in a developer moving forward to project implementation. The lack of return is an even greater issue for smaller projects which include renovations of existing buildings and/or improvements to accommodate a change of use. The lack of return is the result of many issues including the cost of developing in a historic, urban environment and the many fees required to be paid. As a result, it is important to look at any individual fee within the entire fee structure. The Partnership encourages the setting of the fee in order to meet City goals of incentivizing infill development and in keeping with the context of the entire fee structure. Kara Norman, Partnership Executive Director