[Durham INC] letter regarding planning fees

[Tom Miller]

Dear neighbors:

 

At yesterday's city council meeting, I addressed the council on the issue of
fees for rezonings and the board of adjustment.  I told them the fees were
too high, that they excluded neighborhoods, and that they reinforced the
erroneous idea that only developers get to apply for rezonings, use permits
and variances and that neighborhoods can only oppose them.

 

The mayor said he'd like to reconsider the fee structure and was solidly
backed up by Mike Woodard.  Diane Catotti said her preference was to pass
the fees now and revisit the question later.  She seemed to be especially
interested in having the planning department "recapture" its costs in fees.
The fee structure was passed by the council 6-1 with Mr. Woodard voting no.

 

Even with this vote, there is some interest among council people for
considering the impact high fees have on the access neighborhoods have to
essential planning processes.  To keep the issue alive, I sent the attached
letter to the council and sent a copy to Mr. Bonfield, the city manager.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom Miller, 

INC President

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