MADEIRA BEACH â Developers of both commercial and residential properties will soon be paying impact fees to the city based on the size of their projects. The purpose is to help recover some of the costs to the city associated with development.
Fees will be assessed in three areas impacted by new developments and redevelopment of existing properties. There will be mobility fees for roads; health and safety fees for fire, EMS and police services; and fees to benefit parks and quality of life.
Recognizing the fees could have a negative impact on potential developments in the city, at least when first introduced, the commission decided to phase in the charges. The recommendation by Mayor John Hendricks was to charge a lesser amount, 40 percent of the total fee, during the first year after introducing the fee, then increasing it 10 percent each year for the next six years.