First Impact Fee Update Since 2005 Happening in Locust Grove

Locust Grove has hired a consultant to update their impact fee program. The city last revised their impact fees in 2005.

Impact fees are paid by developers on new construction. They fund capital improvements to offset the impact caused by new housing and other construction.

Locust Grove Impact Fee Update

Locust Grove hired Ross & Associates to update their impact fee program. The plan update will cost $79,500. Council approval came at the April 17 meeting.

Ross & Associates will update what’s known as the impact fee methodology report. This report calculates the maximum allowable impact fee. The city then chooses how much of an impact fee to levy. Ross estimates the report update will take eight months to complete.

When the methodology report is complete, the city must hold two public hearings before considering adoption of the update. This will most likely occur in early 2024.

Locust Grove Fees

The current impact fee amounts to $1,498 for a new single-family house. The fee goes towards new parks, police and road improvements. Commercial and industrial projects pay impact fees based on their project type and square footage.

The fee update will look at each of the three categories. The amount paid in fees is based on each category individually.

Henry County Update

Earlier this year, new impact fees took effect within unincorporated Henry County. The county commissioners adopted the new fee structure last summer. They, too, had not updated their fee structure in a long time. The county adopted their last fee ordinance in 2003.

For a new housing unit, the builder must pay $3,544.46. Henry County charges the same amount whether it is a single-family house, townhome or apartment unit. This fee goes towards several categories. They include parks, road improvements, libraries, public safety and animal control.

Featured image shows highway 42 in downtown Locust Grove. Atlanta Regional Commission photo.