ARIZONA DAILY STAR:  Mon., Oct. 5, 2009

Impact fees to fund roads on SW side set for action

The county is ready to set new impact fees — significantly higher than those paid by much of the rest of the region — for road projects on the southwest side of the metro area, and approve the list of projects those fees will pay for.

The road improvements and fees to pay for them are part of the Southwest Infrastructure Plan, initially approved by the Pima County Board of Supervisors in late 2007. The plan set new growth-related policies for the southwest area, including where the county would encourage development and plan ahead for the infrastructure needed to support new retail and commercial centers.

To pay for the needed improvements to serve the anticipated growth, the board is considering a standard residential impact fee for the southwest region at $9,500. Elsewhere, the standard fee is $4,934. Rates vary for high-density residential development and retirement communities.