THE EXPLORER: Weds., Oct. 1, 2008

Town weighs higher building fees

Local builder decries possible higher costs for plan reviews

By Patrick McNamara

When Steve Solomon bought 87 acres in Rancho Vistoso to build Vistoso Town Center, he knew what he was getting into. The land held an important archeological site known as Honey Bee Village, a place that the ancient Hohokam Indian culture called home from 480 A.D. to about 1250 A.D.

He knew couldn't build houses and a commercial center on the historically significant site, so he donated 13 acres for archeological research and a preserve. Now that the research has run its course, Solomon has started the residential phase, selling off 128 lots for custom homes while leaving the 13-acre preserve walled off and free from development.

Even now, without a single home standing on the property, Solomon said he's paid more than $250,000 in construction sales taxes to the town just to get the roads, sewers and other infrastructure built. He's also paid thousands to have town staffers review the plans.

Now he wonders how much more the town wants.

FULL STORY: http://www.explorernews.com/articles/2008/10/01/news/doc48e2b90cb9915267837454.txt