§ 8.7-82. Legislative findings applicable to park impact fees.

In addition to the general findings contained in section 8.7-4 of this chapter, the board hereby specifically ascertains, determines and declares as follows:

A.

The board has determined that ad valorem tax revenue and other revenues will not be sufficient to provide the capital improvements and additions to the county park system that are necessary to accommodate new residential construction within the county.

B.

The standard of service to be provided in the county park system and the allocation of projected costs required to accommodate the needs of future residential construction as presented in the park impact fee study, has been approved and adopted by the county and such study is found to be consistent with the comprehensive plan of the county.

C.

The county has the responsibility to provide parks and recreational facilities in the county park system. Residential construction occurring within the county impacts upon the county park system; therefore, the park impact fee shall be imposed in all unincorporated areas of the county and within all cities that have consented to the imposition of the park impact fee.

D.

Development necessitated by the growth contemplated in the comprehensive plan will require improvements and additions to the county park system to accommodate the new development generated by such growth and maintain the standards of service provided by the county.

E.

Future growth, as represented by residential construction, should contribute its fair share to the cost of improvements and additions to the county park system that are required to accommodate the impact generated by such growth.

F.

The required improvements and additions to the county park system needed to eliminate any deficiencies shall be financed by revenues other than park impact fees.

G.

The board expressly finds that the maintenance of the standards for the county park system as contained in the park impact fee study and the provision of the improvements and additions to the county park system provide a benefit to all residential construction in excess of the park impact fee.

H.

Implementation of the park impact fee to require residential construction to contribute its fair share of the cost of required capital improvements and additions to the county park system is an integral and vital element of the regulatory plan of growth management of the county.

I.

The purpose of this article is to require payment of park impact fees by those who engage in residential construction and to provide for the cost of capital improvements to the county park system which are required to accommodate such growth. This article shall not be construed to permit the collection of park impact fees in excess of the amount reasonably anticipated to offset the demand on the county park system generated by such residential construction.

J.

The imposition of the park impact fee promotes the general welfare of the citizens of Polk County, serves a public purpose and is to provide a source of revenue to fund the construction or improvement of the county park system necessitated by growth as delineated in the capital improvement element of the comprehensive plan.

(Ord. No. 18-048, § VIII(8.02), 7-24-18)