ANAHEIM : Improvement Fees on Developments OKd

The City Council gave final approval Tuesday to a pair of ordinances that impose fees for storm drains and sewers on new developments to help pay for improvements that are part of the city’s Anaheim Resort revitalization effort.

The revitalization is a five-year plan designed to eliminate urban blight around Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. The overall improvements to the tourist area include landscaping, burying utility lines, widening streets and replacing old business signs.

The ordinances require that all new or expanded developments that benefit from the revitalization project’s sewage and drainage improvements pay their fair share, regardless of whether they are located in the tourist area.

City officials estimate the fees will raise $1.25 million over the next five years and about $11.5 million by 2010. Councilman Lou Lopez cast the lone vote against the ordinance, saying the area affected is too large and could unfairly burden developers.

The area affected by the sewer fees is bounded by South Street on the north, Chapman Avenue on the south, Euclid Street on the west and Sunkist Avenue on the east. The storm drain fee area is bounded by Lincoln Avenue on the north, Chapman Avenue on the south, Euclid Street on the west, and State College Boulevard on the east.

New sewer fees include $800 per unit for a single-family residence, $900 per unit for multiple-family dwellings and $400 per unit for a hotel or motel. Storm drain fees are $11,000 for single-family residences, $14,000 for multiple-family dwellings and $20,000 for hotel or motel.

The improvements are seen as crucial by city and tourism officials in order to keep Anaheim as a magnet for tourist and convention business.