Lancaster County to hear first reading of the proposed panhandle impact fees tonight

February 8, 2021 | Wilson

In almost every social media group for this area, you will find discussions about impact fees. “A lot of other suburbs have them, why don’t we?” Tonight, Lancaster County has the first of three readings scheduled on the proposed new panhandle impact fees which would apply to Indian Land. The proposal requires three readings before possible approval and must go through a public hearing.

The impact fees are charges on new development/construction designed to offset the economic burden on county services with population growth in the area. The county services listed in the proposal are parks and recreation, sheriff, EMS, and fire. Common in other suburbs, but not included in this proposal are infrastructure/roads, schools, and libraries.

While there can be changes made, as it is written, the cost per single-family home would be $2,207 whereas an apartment would be $1,568 per unit.

As for non-residential development, the cost varies between retail (most expensive at $1,780), office, industrial, warehouse, healthcare, and institutional.

The plan would be to have an annual report submitted to the County Council who can take actions such as requesting additional data or analyses, holding public workshops or hearings.

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