Polson impact fee issue resolved
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
POLSON — On the agenda was a request for an impact fee review and modification from Cougar Ridge Development LLC., and the Polson City Commission dealt with this issue at its Jan. 22 meeting.
The impact fees — which include water and sewer hookup, fire impact and an administrative fee — are for the large commercial building west of Polson hill at 145 Southlake Drive known as “the mansion.” The building houses Black Mountain Software and other businesses.
The issue came to Polson City Manager Mark Shrives’ attention as part of a building permit filed by mansion owner Mike Maddy with the city’s building inspector on Dec. 23, 2013.
Shrives tackled the issue by going back to square one, calculating the impact fees based on the 25,000 sq. feet in the building and no fee waivers. Shrives also took into account the resolution passed by Polson City Commissioners on June 13, 2012, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2012, dropping the impact fees by 80 percent.
By Shrives’ calculations, the impact fees came to $5,589.71. He assembled an impact fee review board, consisting of Commissioners Jill Southerland and Stephen Turner, Polson City Planner Joyce Weaver, Polson City Building Inspector Mike Howke and himself.
They reviewed historical documentation and Shrives’ calculations and recommended the commission assess $5,589.71. The commission voted unanimously to accept that figure.
In a phone interview, Maddy said he appreciated the time Shrives took to do research.
“It’s beneficial to the city and to me to get it behind us,” Maddy said.
In a phone interview later, Shrives said Maddy had paid the fees.
In other business, when the commissioners approved the claims for December, Raymond Law Firm received a settlement of $21,600.
Then Penny Jarecki reported on the status of the Greater Polson Community Foundation.
Jarecki, chair of the board of directors for GPCF. “I’m pleased to tell you we have received donations from more new donors than ever before.”
The GPCF has contributed $71,177 to the community since its inception in 2009. Jarecki said community members first began discussing a foundation in October of 2008, the month after the housing market went in the tank.
With an endowment of approximately $320,000, amassed by donations from $15 to $1,000, the GPCF uses 4 percent for grants per year.
Grants in 2013 ranged from $500 for the Miracle of America Museum’s roof over the Paul Bunyan, an historic Flathead Lake working boat, to $1,500 to Helping Hands Fund, an assistance program overseen by the Polson Ministerial Association.
The GPCF also functions as a community convener through the Envision Polson project, comprised of committees such as the beautification and year-round recreation committees.
The city commissioners will meet again on Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. at Polson City Hall, 106 First Street E.
