7/18/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Number of employees, Number of acres, or Number of holes Since ITE does not provide trip rates for golf courses using the independent variable of parking spaces, the county's TIF consultant recommended that the county use acres as the independent variable for golf courses. Subsequent to ordinance adoption with the golf course rate based on acreage, staff encountered problems in assessing golf course TIF's. The principal problem with using acreage to assess golf course TIF's is that there is significant variation in acreage for golf courses with the same number of holes. Since many golf course projects in Indian River County have substantial acreage that is being used for conservation rather than golf course operation purposes, the acreage TIF approach often results in a TIF rate that over- charges golf courses. Staffs position is that a better unit of measure is needed that more closely corresponds to actual trip generation and attraction. In regard to the appropriate unit of measure for golf course TIFs, staff coordinated with the consultant who prepared the traffic impact fee ordinance study. As indicated in the attached letter dated March 17, 2000, the consultant recommends that the county revise its ordinance to use number of holes to determine the TIF for golf courses. It is the consultant's opinion that the number of golf holes is the most accurate measure of the traffic impact of a golf course project. The purpose of amending the county's traffic impact fee ordinance is to ensure that persons affected by the ordinance are assessed a fair fee and receive a proportional benefit from that fee. Staffs position is that number of holes is a better representation of the impact of a golf course development on the county roadways than is acreage. For that reason, staff supports an amendment to the ordinance to assess golf course projects based on $3.801/hole instead of $702/acre. ALTERNATIVES With respect to this amendment to the traffic impact fee ordinance, the Board has two basic alternatives. These are: To deny the proposal and maintain the existing traffic impact fee ordinance method of assessing new golf course developments; or To adopt the proposed amendment to assess new golf course development based upon the number of course holes. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners amend the Indian River County traffic impact fee payment schedule for golf courses and amend Chapter 953 to create a separate subsection for the TIF benefit districts and payment schedule. ATTACHMENTS 1. Letter dated March 17, 2000 from consultant Robert P. Wallace '_. Proposed LDR Amendment Ordinance 3. PSAC Minutes (DRAFT) 4. PZC Minutes (DRAFT) July 189 2000 21