COSTA MESA : Panel to Back Hike in Traffic-Impact Fee

An ad hoc committee tonight will recommend to the City Council that it raise the traffic impact fee by $49 to $277.

All new businesses and developments in the city would have to pay the fee, with the revenue going to improve streets affected by the additional traffic generated by those projects. If approved by the City Council, it would raise $20 million.

The ad hoc city committee reviewing the issue is made up of a former city traffic commissioner, small and large developers, homeowners, a planning commissioner and a Chamber of Commerce official. They will make their recommendation at the council meeting.

The City Council, however, will not vote on the fee increase until the beginning of next year, Mayor Sandra L. Genis said.

“At this point, the committee is just telling the staff to go forward with the paperwork,” she said.

Genis said some particulars of the fee still have to be ironed out, including how much new fast-food restaurants will have to pay.

The council is also expected to adopt a resolution allowing the city seal to be used only for official city business.

The issue came to light last month after Councilman Peter F. Buffa, who is seeking reelection, used the city seal on fund-raising invitations he mailed to residents in the community.

The council also plans to approve $10,200 to install fencing that will serve as a backstop for two new youth baseball fields at TeWinkle Middle School.

The project also includes irrigation and turf improvements for existing soccer and baseball fields.