Ephrata to consider impact fees for new development

EPHRATA - The possibility of adding transportation and parks impact fees for new development will be under consideration by the Ephrata City Council, starting with a discussion April 29.

Community Development Director Ron Sell said development fees would be a new thing for Ephrata.

"Currently we don't have any impact fees in place. We do have a parks mitigation fee in place," Sell said.

City officials commissioned a study from SCJ Alliance, Spokane, to take an in-depth look at the city's options. Cities do have the ability to levy fees on new residential and commercial development for some city services, including streets and parks, to help pay for the impacts that growth brings.

Ephrata is growing and is projected to keep growing - Ephrata may have about 10,800 people by 2044, according to the city's comprehensive plan.

The city has a list of parks facility capital projects with possible construction dates through 2037. They range from the current project at the sports complex to upgrades at the Splash Zone to a Beazley Hill trail. Also on the list are improvements at Oasis Park and to the skate park, among other projects.

The total estimated cost for all projects is about $8 million, the SCJ report said. As of now, the city would be eligible for outside funding for about $1.4 million for those projects. The park impact fee would help pay a portion of the remaining cost.

The city also would be eligible for some - but not much - outside funding for its transportation projects. The current list of proposed transportation projects includes the possibility of new streets. Other possible projects include work on Division Avenue East and Alder Street Northwest, as well as extension of Nat Washington Way.

Total cost of the proposed road projects was estimated at about $38.8 million; as of now, the estimate for potential outside funding for street projects would be about $500,000, the SCJ report said.

Representatives from SCJ will talk about their findings with the council at the April 29 meeting. Council meetings begin at 6 p.m.

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