By LYDIA PLAHN/for The Herald — Two resolutions that will increase the payment needed for new developments in Lowell were approved by the city council Tuesday night, July 19.
These increased costs are a part of the city’s system development charges (SDCs). These SDC’c will be used to fund things like wastewater treatment, flood control, parks and transportation. In the case of Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved a motion for the Lowell parks system and water treatment and distribution system.
One-time costs shouldered by the developer
The SDCs are “one-time charges on new developments. Certain types of redevelopments are charged to help pay for existing and planned infrastructure to serve the development,” according to state law. They are payments made once during the stages of development to help cover the usage the addition will have on the area’s features.
As Jeremy Caudle, the Lowell city administrator put it, “The SDCs pay for the impact new development will have on the infrastructure.” When more people use the city benefits, it requires more funding, which comes from the system development charges, he explained.
Future users’ share of SDCs will be $1,004 for the parks side and $7,068 for the water system side for a single-dwelling home. This update will not have any effect on current home owners in the area who paid this fee when their homes were developed.
New SDC’s will not affect previous developments
The update will mainly affect new developers who will pay this one-time fee when they get their building permits. The updated fees will also affect businesses and institutions looking to develop. These costs will go towards projects around Lowell. Projects such as “Paul Fisher Park Replacements” and a “New 500 GPM Water Treatment Plant,” per Mr. Caudle, will be affected.
The council also discussed a future goal-setting session during which they can brainstorm about the future of Lowell and the city budget. Mayor Don Bennett mentioned the informal goals and plans he has for the city.
In addition to the mayor, the meeting was attended by all council members: Maureen Weathers, Gail Harris, Tim Stratis, and Jimmy Murray.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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