Cary Town Council raises impact fees

CARY The Cary Town Council has unanimously approved an increase in water and sewer development fees to 75 percent of the maximum allowable fees effective on July 1, 2008; this translates into a an average seven percent increase over the existing fee for water and an average 31 percent increase over the existing sewer fee.

While the $374 fee for an irrigation meter remains the same, the Council approved a first-time meter fee for reclaimed water meters of $187, which is 50 percent of the current potable irrigation meter fee. The Council also voted unanimously to keep transportation impact fees at current levels, which are already among the highest in the Triangle.

Under the new rates, the water and sewer development fees for new homes will increase by about $938 to a total of $5,261. The same equation applies to commercial development. Current water and sewer development fees for a 150,000 square foot office building are $108,000; as of July 1, the water and sewer development fees would increase by $22,230 to a total of $130,230.

Developers pay impact fees to offset the town's cost to build infrastructure.