Fee Agreement 2009Agreement for Conceptual Master Site Plan Application Fees
Section 17.62.045 YMC
THIS AGREEMENT, between the City of Yelm (“City”) and Thurston Highlands Associates (“Developer”) provides for permit processing fees for the review of the Thurston Highlands Master
Planned Community conceptual master site plan.
Section 1 – Background
Thurston Highlands Associates made application for a conceptual master site plan for the development of approximately 1,250 acres of land within the existing corporate boundaries of
the City of Yelm as a Master Planned Community. The proposed development will include approximately 5,000 dwelling units, a regional recreational component, and a commercial component.
The Community Development Department determined that the proposal would require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.
The Community Development Department did not have the staffing capacity to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement and review the Thurston Highlands conceptual master site plan application
while maintaining acceptable levels of service.
Section 17.62.045 Yelm Municipal Code establishes a mechanism for a developer of a Master Planned Development to reimburse the City for all costs and fees associated with the review
of the project.
In the case of the Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community, the City of Yelm Community Development Department required a reorganization and the addition of two staff positions in
order to complete the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement while maintaining acceptable levels of service for other customers of the Department.
The revised Community Development Department organization will cost the City approximately $130,000 per year.
It is inappropriate for the City to commit to new hires within the Community Development Department unless the developer is willing to guarantee funding for a minimum of three years.
A fee agreement was executed in the amount of $10,800 per month during the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement, which was issued in November, 2008.
The review of the Conceptual Master Site Plan and Final Master Site Plan for Phase I will entail a similar level of effort by City staff as the preparation and
review of the Environmental Impact Statement. This effort can be significantly reduced through the use of Vicki Morris Consulting Services, the primary author of the EIS, to prepare
the developer agreement which will be associated with the Conceptual and Final Master Site Plans to implement the mitigation measures identified in the EIS.
Vicki Morris Consulting Services charges at a rate of $125 per hour and anticipates the preparation of the developer agreement to be a work effort of up to 320 hours.
Section II – Fees
Pursuant to Section 17.62.045 YMC, the fee for processing the Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community through City Council action on the conceptual master site plan shall be $5,000.00
per month.
Application fees may be paid on a monthly basis due on the first business day of each month or on an annual basis due on the 2nd day of January of each year this fee agreement is in
place.
Fees shall begin upon the date of a complete application for Conceptual and/or Final Master Site Plan.
The monthly fee shall continue until the following dates, whichever is greater:
The Yelm City Council takes action to approve or disapprove the conceptual master site plan and/or final master site plan application.
The application is withdrawn.
In addition, the developer shall deposit $40,000.00 with the City of Yelm in order for the City to contract with Vicki Morris Consulting Services for up to 320 hours for the preparation
of a developer agreement. Any unexpended funds from this deposit shall be reimbursed upon action by the City Council on the conceptual master site plan and/or final master site plan.
Section III – Notices
Grant Beck, Community Development Director
City of Yelm
P.O. Box 497
105 Yelm Avenue West
Yelm, WA 98597
Steve Chamberlain
Thurston Highlands, LLC
4200 6th Avenue SE
Suite 301
Lacey, WA 98503
Grant Beck, Director
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
Steve Chamberlain
Thurston Highlands, LLC