6.7. SR 02-08-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Control Commission (MWCC) formula in determining SAC and WAC units. The city did this in order to remain consistent with most metropolitan municipalities, and to remain consistent with how we treat all building permits within the city. For your information, a single family house is one unit, and all other buildings have units assigned based on a formula and various perimeters established by MWCC. SAC and WAC fees are collected as a buy in to the existing sy'stems. . One of the reasons that the city changed the motel SACIWAC units was based on economic development concerns. Motel room availability is one of the most frequently asked questions to the director of economic development when he is "courting" new businesses and industries. The director of economic development and the EDA came to believe that the only way to attract additional quality motel rooms into Elk River was to provide a reduction in SACIW AC fees. Accordingly, last summer the reduction was approved. The City Council has had similar discussions regarding restaurant SACIW AC fees, and in the past has offered to allow restaurants to pay their fees over time. Additionally, a special central business district restaurant SACIW AC rate has been considered based on downtown economic development concerns. Providing the county jail a reduction in SACIW AC fees would not be done for the same type of economic development reasons. Nonetheless, being the county seat and having major county facilities in Elk River is definitely a positive economic development factor for the city. Comparing jails to motels and to apartments is difficult because apartments and motels pay an extra SACIWAC fee for kitchen and laundry areas, whereas jails do not. Another factor to consider is vacancy rates, and in this regard it is believed that motels have a much higher vacancy rate than apartments or the jail. Finally, it has to be noted that each 2 ~ beds at the jail is considered one unit, and 2 ~ beds are more than what is typically found in a motel room. Staff discussed this county issue last summer when the motel was given a reduced SACIW AC rate. At that time, (and still today), staff felt comfortable in recommending apartment status for the county jail facility. By this, I mean that 2 ~ beds will equal .8 SACIW AC units. Additionally, this issue was discussed last August prior to the permit being issued in September. Therefore, it is recommended that this .8 status apply to the 52 unit, double bunking project. Assuming the Utilities Commission agrees, the savings to the county for the 52 bed and the 180 bed projects would amount to 18.56 units, which translates into $49,184 in savings between the city SAC and utilities WAC fees. .