OXNARD : Council OKs Higher Fees for Builders
The Oxnard City Council approved sharply higher fees for builders Tuesday despite strong protests from developers. But the fees will be held in an impound account until the council determines whether they are too high.
The new fees, including a 117% increase for traffic studies, were adopted even though one builder warned that “these increases may outstrip our industry’s ability to continue doing business in Oxnard.”
Many of the proposed higher fees were reduced before approval. For example, a proposed planning division processing charge of 36.2% was reduced to 24.5%.
To soften the effect on builders, the council allowed them to make down payments on some fees.
Councilwoman Dorothy S. Maron, one of four council members voting for the fee increases, said she was troubled that the audit of the new fees will be paid by builders. “If it’s being paid for by them, you know it’s going to say we’re charging too much,” she said.
Only Councilman Michael A. Plisky voted against the increases.
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