Examiner Laments Poor Public Turnout on Impact Fees

By all accounts the last Council hearing on impact fee increases was packed with shills for the development industry. Housebuilders, realtors, and business interests enumerated the reasons why it's a "bad idea" to make new growth pay its own way. Testimony was so one-sided, it began to concern the press.

There is a second hearing this evening, 7pm in the Council chambers. It's important for the public to turn out in force in support of the County Executive's proposed impact fee increase, so that the discussion isn't driven by those who have a financial stake in forcing existing taxpayers to shoulder the burden for new development.