Two issues have been raised by the Planning Commission regarding a proposed impact fee policy that would require new residential, commercial and industrial development to pay for roads.

As the Town Board of Trustees examines the 14-page proposal, two issues have been raised by the commission regarding the fee’s potential impact on existing buildings and vacant property identified by the town for residential development.

“This is a lot of information,” Trustee Richard Hagins said. “We need some time to study this.”

The document is being developed by town administration and Transplan, a transportation firm.

The first concern commissioners have is whether the fee should apply to existing buildings that are remodeled and renovated in the future.

The second is whether the fee will apply to undeveloped property that has been mapped out by the town for residential development.

The Planning Commission is against the impact fee being enforced for existing buildings that are renovated or remodeled.

Commission members fear an impact fee could stifle efforts to improve the town’s historic downtown.

Commission also favors that some undeveloped property that has been mapped for residential development be exempt from the impact fee.

“If a lot includes a curb stop, the fee would not apply,” Town Manager Rob Straebel said of the commission’s proposal. “If we would go this way, we would have to check on the legality of it.”

The commission has taken the stance that developers should be the focus of the impact fee, and current platted lots in town should not have to pay these fees.

Straebel is concerned of this because there are hundreds of platted lots in the West Hayden Townsite.

If this area is developed, it would affect transportation in the community, Straebel said.

Transplan is working with town administration on the impact fee issue, because the Boulder-based firm recently finished a traffic study of the town.

The reason the impact fee is being proposed is the traffic study has concluded the town’s current transportation system is adequate for the town.

Town administration is in favor of the impact fees because new growth would not be a burden for existing residents.

With an impact fee in place, current taxpayers would not have to fund the infrastructure needed for the growth.

The Town Board and the Planning Commission will meet with Transplan representatives in August where representatives of the firm will give a formal presentation of the policy.

To reach Gary Salazar call 871-4205 or e-mail gsalazar@steamboatpilot.com