Here’s what to know<\/p>\n
In the editorial, opinion contributor J. Scott Henderson called on Tallahassee and Leon County officials to create a community-wide impact fee so development contributes toward roads, schools, parks, fire and EMS, and other systems needed as the area grows.<\/p>\n
Henderson suggested that the proposed Welaunee Arch PUD and the Canopy Developers Agreement could shift future infrastructure obligations onto taxpayers if they advance without a full review of their impacts.<\/p>\n
The Welaunee Arch plan includes 6,591 homes, but the city’s current method would examine impacts one parcel at a time instead of assessing the development as a whole.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He argued that this approach could minimize the full effect on transportation and public services.<\/p>\n
Two key votes were scheduled at the time of publication.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Canopy Developers Agreement was scheduled for the City Commission on Sept. 23, and the Arch PUD was set for the Planning Commission on Oct. 6.<\/p>\n
More background<\/p>\n
Across Florida, fast-growing communities are grappling with the same issue of who should bear the cost when growth demands additional infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Henderson observed that Tallahassee and Leon County had already approved a Comprehensive Plan that permits greater residential and commercial density.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In his view, that level of development can change a community’s character and place more demands on roads, schools, parks, and open space when infrastructure funding falls short.<\/p>\n
The result, he argued, can be more traffic, added stress on public facilities, and higher costs for taxpayers. That overlaps with concerns already being raised by Welaunee-area neighbors about traffic, water quality, and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
To illustrate the potential scale, Henderson referenced impact fee schedules already in place in other parts of Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He indicated that using those adopted rates on the Welaunee development program would yield about $193 million under Naples fees, $72.5 million under Sarasota fees, and $250 million under Orlando\/Orange County fees.<\/p>\n
What can be done?<\/p>\n
Rather than requiring one large developer to shoulder those expenses while other residential and commercial projects do not, Henderson surmised that a countywide or citywide impact fee system was a better approach.<\/p>\n
He also maintained that the Arch PUD and Canopy Developers Agreement should wait until a comprehensive impact assessment is finished.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That would require evaluating the project’s cumulative effects in advance and setting firm deadlines for infrastructure work before additional phases proceed.<\/p>\n
Henderson noted that developers often argue impact fees make housing less affordable. But he said that concern can be balanced through higher-density and mixed-use development \u2014 both of which, he added, Tallahassee has already approved for Welaunee.<\/p>\n
“Ignoring the equitability and avoiding establishing an impact fee or an equitable fair share funding program in Tallahassee\/Leon County, the taxpayers become responsible for a significant and disproportionate share of the infrastructure improvements,” he wrote.<\/p>\n
Where can I learn more?<\/p>\n
The questions playing out in Tallahassee are showing up elsewhere too, from fights over who pays for growth to disputes over what gets built and what gets preserved.\u00a0<\/p>\n
These stories look at neighborhood pushback to housing plans, sprawl’s toll on wildlife, and a land preservation deal in Florida.<\/p>\n
\u2022 In Benton County, Ark., worried locals pushed back<\/a> against a proposed housing development.<\/p>\n \u2022 In Florida, urban sprawl has coincided<\/a> with rising panther deaths on roadways.<\/p>\n \u2022 In Florida, a family’s decision to sell land<\/a> will keep the property undeveloped.<\/p>\n Get TCD’s free newsletters<\/a> for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t![\"Cool](\"https:\/\/www.thecooldown.com\/wp-content\/themes\/tcd\/assets\/images\/divider-icon-earth.svg\"){kind=icon}
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