Brea City Council Supports ‘Fair-Share’ Fees for Developers

Developers would be required to “pay their way” under a new fee system expected to receive final approval by the City Council next month.

Under the Nexus Programs, real estate developers would be assessed a series of “fair-share” fees based on the amount of traffic their projects would generate and on the expected effects on water, fire protection and dispatch services in the city.

“The bottom line is: Development pays for itself,” said Councilman Glenn G. Parker in announcing his support for the fees. Residents have made it clear, he said, that they are opposed to subsidizing developers, given Orange County’s financial crisis.

Parker has been joined by Mayor Bev Perry and council members Burnie Dunlap and Lynn Daucher in voting in favor of the Nexus Programs. Councilwoman Kathryn E. Wiser voted against the fees at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, saying that further study is needed to ensure that the system is equitable.

Before the vote, representatives of major developers--including Unocal and Shell Oil Co.--argued that the proposed fees are unfairly high and that they may drive business away.

Those protests were dismissed by City Atty. James L. Markman, who said the council would be on solid ground in approving the mitigation fees.

Among the projects that would be partially funded by the Nexus Programs are a series of road improvements in Brea Carbon and Tonner canyons. Improvements are also planned for major streets, including Imperial Highway, Kraemer Boulevard and Lambert Road.

A final vote on the Nexus Programs is expected at the June 6 council meeting.