LAKE COUNTY– The Board of Supervisors (BOS) Tuesday approved policies that would allow the county to waive and defer certain construction-related fees in the hopes of stimulating economic growth.
The vote sends “a significant message,” according to District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown.
The BOS approved two new policies pertaining to future development in the county.
One provides for the waiving of 100 percent of building permit fees for some housing rehabilitation projects, 50 percent of building permit fees for farm labor quarters and 100 percent for agricultural buildings on large parcels.
Any project granted fee waivers under that policy must be completed within six months of receipt of the permit.
The other policy, which will be in effect for one year, allows up to 100 percent of certain planning fees to be waived for in-fill economic development projects and up to 50 percent for work not considered in-fill.
Water and wastewater capacity expansion fees could be fully or partially deferred for certain projects under the plan.
The second policy requires work to be completed within one year.
Both proposals called for the waiving of traffic impact fees for some projects, but a majority of the supervisors would not support eliminating those charges.
The BOS unanimously approved both policies after removing references to waiving traffic impact fees.
The supervisors also voted to rescind sets of policies and procedures regarding development that staff said had become outdated.
The Community Development Department is expected to close its Lower Lake office effective Jan. 2 after the BOS approved the cost-saving measure on Tuesday.
The supervisors directed staff to move quickly toward creating online payment options for some permits in order to help accommodate south county residents and businesses.
Community Development Director Rick Coel said there is no timetable for when online submission will become available.
The BOS unanimously approved sending a letter to the U.S. Postal Service in opposition of the proposal to close the Petaluma processing and distribution center.
The memo argues the move “will negatively impact mail delivery to residents and businesses in Lake County.”
A Lower Lake road will be getting a new name to correct a spelling mistake. The BOS approved renaming Fredrickson Drive as Fredericksen Drive.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
