Greer exploring impact fees as city grows

GREER, S.C. (WSPA) — The City of Greer may soon join a growing list of cities that are imposing impact fees for development.

City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance Monday to implement impact fees. The fee would be paid by developers who are looking to build new houses, apartments, retail buildings and commercial buildings in Greer.

According to the ordinance, impact fees would not apply to affordable housing, schools, volunteer fire departments or structures that are rebuilt after a catastrophe.

“This is sort of a natural evolution in the continued growth of the city of Greer,” Mayor Rick Danner said. “We’ve grown so quickly and steadily over the last several years that it seems prudent now that we ask that new growth help pave the way for further growth.”

With growth comes the need for more city services. The money generated from the impact fee could go toward providing more utilities, building roads that can handle increased traffic and supporting first responders.

“We don’t want to put all the new growth on the backs of our citizens.” Danner said. “This is a way for new growth to offset some of the costs that we would be spending to continue to provide the quality of services and quality of life that we’ve offered in the past.”

According to Mayor Danner, Greer continues to grow between six and eight percent every year.

During Monday’s city council meeting, Council Member Lee Dumas asked if the proposed impact fees would affect that growth.

“No sir, it won’t,” Andy Merriman, the city’s administrator, responded. “It will be an additional fee that will be paid on residential – both single family and multifamily  – and commercial properties, retail, office, industrial, etc. per thousand. “If your question is — is the expectation that it has a choking effect on growth and development? The answer is no.”

The city plans to hold a public hearing regarding the proposed impact fee in the coming weeks. City Council will then vote on the second reading of the ordinance in order for it to take effect.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.