The Pierce County Council is reviewing and changing the rate structure for charging new development for traffic impacts. If you  drive mid-Pierce County roads, you know about traffic impacts for recent development.

The proposal is set to have a hearing Monday, October 29, at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber with the Community Development Committee.  If you cannot go, call or write an email to your council member!

The Growth Management Act clearly states, “new development must pay for itself.”  But in this proposal, but the ordinance has this:

“That the listed land use categorical exemptions for traffic impact fees be retained, with the exception that Industrial and Manufacturing uses be increased to a full 100 percent exemption, as recommended by the Economic Development Department;”

A 100% exemption means they will charge to fee to new development that is industrial or manufacturing! That means taxpayers will be funding it. Are creating new jobs worth this in our current stressed road environment or not? Please weigh in.

Here is the link to the new Ordinance. and the meetings scheduled regarding the traffic impact fees.

Section of concern:

4A.10.010 Applicability. 

B. Traffic Impact Fees apply to any applicant proposing any development activity within
unincorporated Pierce County on or after the effective date established by Ordinance No. 2006-60s, where such development activity requires the issuance of a building permit. Where no building permit will be associated with the development, such as a
development requiring a Conditional or Administrative Use Permit, payment is required
as a condition of approval. Any reference to building permit within this Title shall be
interpreted to mean building permit required for development. This shall include, but is
not limited to, the development of residential, commercial, retail, office, and industrial
land, and includes the expansion of existing uses that creates a demand for additional
public facilities, as well as a change in existing use that creates a demand for additional
public facilities.

2. The following development activities shall be exempt from the imposition of traffic
impact fees pursuant to Chapter 4A.40 PCC on the basis of the provisions of RCW
82.02.060(2), which authorize the County to exempt traffic impact fees for the
development listed in PCC 4A.40.020 that provide low-income housing in Pierce
County:

g. The following development activities shall be exempt from the imposition of
traffic impact fees pursuant to Chapter 4A.40 PCC on the basis of the provisions
of RCW 82.02.060

(2), which authorize the County to exempt traffic impact fees
for the following types of development listed in PCC 4A.40.020 that contribute
to the broad public purpose of improving the economy of Pierce County by
providing additional family wage jobs in the County. The land uses eligible for
this exemption shall be defined according to the ITE Land Use Code:

(1) The following land uses located in Employment Centers designated in 
Pierce County’s Comprehensive Plan shall be exempt from 90 percent of the 
traffic impact fee. 
(a) General Light Industrial, ITE Land Use Code 110; or 43
(2b) General Heavy Industrial, ITE Land Use Code 120; or 44
(3c) Manufacturing, ITE Land Use Code 140; or 45
(4d) Corporate Headquarters Building, ITE Land Use Code 714; or 46
(5e) Research and Development Center, ITE Land Use Code 770760.