User fees proposed for Whitefish drainage law

The city of Whitefish has devised a user-fee schedule to cover the cost of administering its new critical-areas ordinance.

The City Council passed the new comprehensive drainage law March 3 to help the city manage stormwater through sensitive drainage areas and protect water quality.

City fees are separate from other costs property owners may occur for new construction.

Depending on the terrain, property owners may need a geotechnical analysis, water-quality plan, erosion control plan, groundwater monitoring plan or an evaluation of potential geologic instability - all of which must be conducted by a professional with an applicable college degree and five years of experience with the relevant type of critical area.

It remains uncertain how much the professional consultant work will cost property owners. During public hearings, some speculated a geotechnical analysis could cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more.

The council will hold a public hearing on April 7 to get comments and then vote on the city's fee schedule.

To administer the complex law, which takes effect April 2, the city anticipates hiring two employees at a cost of about $157,000 annually.

Aerial photography and mapping will cost roughly $150,000 but the city expects to share costs with other government agencies. About $40,000 would be allocated to education and training.

Among the proposed city user fees are a $50-per-lot charge for a preliminary critical-area determination and a $400 fee to review whatever critical-area studies may be required for a specific site.

Reasonable-use exemptions - needed for lots rendered unbuildable by the ordinance - will cost $660 for single-family homes and duplexes or $1,980 for multifamily, commercial and industrial construction.

Exemptions for driveways, trails and utilities will cost $100.

A variance request will cost $396.

For cases in which the city requires an outside professional review of critical-area reports, the city will charge $150 plus the cost of the consultant.

After-the-fact fees would be double the normal rates of user fees.

If mediation services are required, the property owner would pay half the cost of a mediator.

No fees will be charged for a critical-area checklist or compliance permit.

More information about the user fees may be obtained from City Hall, 863-2400, or the Planning and Building Department, 863-2410.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com