Impact Fee waiver approved for February

    Osceola County Commissioners hope to spark commercial development by waiving commercial transportation impact fees for year starting in February.
    Commissioners approved the concept by a 5-0 vote Monday in hopes that millions in savings will jump start the sagging economy and entice builders to develop properties.
    They must implement the measure by ordinance. The item is planned for action in January.
    County officials hope forgoing the fee revenue will bring more commercial development into the area.
    The impact fees pay for growth-related road projects.
    Ultimately, the county plans a comprehensive review of the impact fee program.
    The county’s impact fee moratorium only includes transportation impact fees and does not apply to other types of impact fees – such as those charged for parks, water and schools.
    The move will give builders noticeable cost savings on commercial construction and level the playing field on competitive economic development projects.