http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/citybeat/48050 &nbsp;As expected, homebuilders are suing the city over traffic impact fees. &nbsp; (Click on the blue box to download a PDF version of the 23-page complaint.) &nbsp; Technical aspects of the state Mitigation Fee Act &nbsp;form the heart of allegations the program isn't legally sound. &nbsp; The revised fee schedule, for example, is based on traffic/growth projections through 2035, but the city and county's existing metro General Plan &mdash; which is supposed to be consistent with the impact fee program &mdash; only goes to 2020. &nbsp; Why do you care? &nbsp; The city needs the money to cover matching funds for the Thomas roads money.&nbsp;Some councilmembers have admitted in public meetings that if locals had passed a half-cent sales tax, the fee dispute wouldn't be going on. &nbsp; State law, though, lays out requirements for collecting impact fees specifically so cities and counties DON'T use them as a &quot;special tax&quot; &mdash; which requires 2/3s voter approval. &nbsp; If homebuilders successfully torpedo the higher fees? That's a long way off, but it could cut seriously into local general fund dollars. &nbsp; Developing... &nbsp; &nbsp; - Gretchen Wenner, staff writer &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;As expected, homebuilders are suing the city over traffic impact fees. &nbsp; (Click on the blue box to download a PDF version of the 23-page complaint.) &nbsp; Technical aspects of the state Mitigation Fee Act &nbsp;form the heart of allegations the program isn't legally sound. &nbsp; The revised fee schedule, for example, is based on traffic/growth projections through 2035, but the city and county's existing metro General Plan &mdash; which is supposed to be consistent with the impact fee program &mdash; only goes to 2020. &nbsp; Why do you care? &nbsp; The city needs the money to cover matching funds for the Thomas roads money.&nbsp;Some councilmembers have admitted in public meetings that if locals had passed a half-cent sales tax, the fee dispute wouldn't be going on. &nbsp; State law, though, lays out requirements for collecting impact fees specifically so cities and counties DON'T use them as a &quot;special tax&quot; &mdash; which requires 2/3s voter approval. &nbsp; If homebuilders successfully torpedo the higher fees? That's a long way off, but it could cut seriously into local general fund dollars. &nbsp; Developing... &nbsp; &nbsp; - Gretchen Wenner, staff writer &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; en-us Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:08:01 PDT <p>Why are we still building new homes when there are 1 or 2 homes on nearly every street in town for sale?</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/citybeat/48050/#c_430562 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/citybeat/48050/#c_430562 <p>Why are we still building new homes when there are 1 or 2 homes on nearly every street in town for sale?</p>