Greer explores impact fees as city grows

GREER, SC (WSPA) — The city of Greer could soon join a growing list of cities imposing development impact fees.

The City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance implementing impact taxes. The tax would be paid by developers who want to build new homes, apartments, commercial buildings and commercial buildings in Greer.

According to the ordinance, impact fees would not apply to affordable housing, schools, volunteer fire departments or structures that are being rebuilt after a disaster.

“It’s kind of a natural evolution in the continued growth of the city of Greer,” said Mayor Rick Danner. “We have grown so rapidly and consistently over the past few years that it seems prudent now to ask for further growth to help pave the way for further growth.”

With growth comes the need for more urban services. Money generated from the impact fee could go towards providing more utilities, building roads that can handle increased traffic and supporting first responders.

“We don’t want to put all the new growth on the backs of our citizens.” Danner said. “This is a way for new growth to offset some of the costs we would incur to continue to provide the quality of service and quality of life that we have provided in the past.”

According to Mayor Danner, Greer continues to grow between six and eight percent each year.

During Monday’s city council meeting, council member Lee Dumas asked if the proposed impact fees would affect that growth.

“No, sir, it won’t be,” replied Andy Merriman, the city manager. “There will be an additional tax that will be paid on residential properties – both single-family and multi-family – and commercial, retail, office, industrial, etc. to me. “If your question is — is the expectation that it has a stifling effect on growth and development? The answer is no.”

The city plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed impact fee in the coming weeks. The City Council will then vote on the second reading of the ordinance for it to enter into force.

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