PRESENTER: Presenter
Sandy Paulos, Director of Finance
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of the second and final reading of an ordinance amending the New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, Chapter 144-1.4 by adding definitions of Heritage and Protected Trees, amending Section 144-5.3-1 by extending approval authority for tree replacement to include department staff, creating the Tree Mitigation Fund option to tree replacement; and amending Appendix D-Fee Schedule, by adopting new fees for development related services.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A presentation regarding proposed fee adjustments was given at the July Council Retreat. At the retreat, staff was given direction to move forward with implementation of the proposed fee adjustments including changes to the Planning and Development fees related to Zoning, Platting and Miscellaneous fees. Some of these fees have not been amended since 2018. These adjustments would bring the fees more in line with benchmark cities, help to cover increased costs, and bring more consistency across all fees.
In order to implement these fees and related changes, it is also necessary to add some definitions and clarifications to the ordinance. The proposed fee in-lieu option for replacing removed trees is broken into two tiers: protected vs. heritage trees, therefore we needed to include definitions for those terms.
These fee adjustments will only impact developers, commercial builders, and home builders.
Council approved the first reading of this item unanimously at the December 11, 2023 meeting.
If approved, a campaign to communicate the changes to the public will take place from January to March, 2024, with the planned implementation date of April 1, 2024.
The proposed fee adjustments are as follows:
ISSUE:
FISCAL IMPACT:
Any additional revenue generated by these fee adjustments will be incorporated into the FY 2025 Budget to help offset increased costs and cover unfunded resource needs.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance amending the New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, Chapter 144-1.4 by adding definitions of Heritage and Protected Trees, amending Section 144-5.3-1 by extending approval authority for tree replacement to include department staff, creating the Tree Mitigation Fund option to tree replacement; and amending Appendix D-Fee Schedule, by adopting new fees for development related services.