THOUSAND OAKS : City to Waive Fees for Habitat’s House
Thousand Oaks will waive nearly $8,000 in unexpected building fees for a nonprofit group trying to build a home for a low-income family, the City Council has decided.
The Christian-based Habitat for Humanity asked the city to waive costs typically charged to developers, including sewer connection fees, building and police protection fees.
A spokeswoman for Habitat said the organization ran into an unexpected $8,000 expense when geologists determined that five feet of topsoil would have to be removed from the Beall Street property before a foundation can be laid. The organization is still responsible for about $3,000 in city fees and another $3,000 in county fees.
Housing Services Manager Olav E. Hassel had recommended against waiving any fees. He said the city had already done its part when it gave the organization the $65,000 parcel. But the council cited the unexpected costs when it voted unanimously Tuesday to forgive the $8,000 sum.
Habitat for Humanity is building a three-bedroom home for a low-income Thousand Oaks family--its first project in the city. Most of the work will be done by volunteers.
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