(A) Filing application. Upon the filing of an application for a zoning permit, special land use permit, planned unit development, Board of Appeals review, variance or rezoning, an administrative fee, as determined by the City Council, shall accompany the application.
(B) Publication of fees. A schedule of fees as established by the City Council shall be maintained at the office of the Zoning Administrator.
(C) Payment of fees. Fees shall be paid to the City Clerk prior to the processing of any application required under this chapter.
(D) Fees in escrow for professional reviews. For any application for site plan approval, a special land use permit, condominium subdivision, planned unit development, variance, or other use or activity requiring a permit under this chapter, either the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission may require the deposit of fees to be held in escrow in the name of the applicant. An escrow fee shall be required for any project with more than ten dwelling units, or more than 10,000 square feet of enclosed space, or which requires more than 20 parking spaces. An escrow fee may be requested for any other project which may, in the discretion of the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission create an identifiable and potentially negative impact on public infrastructure or services, or on adjacent properties and because of which, professional input is desired before a decision to approve, deny or approve with conditions is made.
(1) The escrow shall be used to pay professional review expenses of engineers, community planners, and any other professionals whose expertise the city values to review the proposed application and/or site plan of on applicant. Professional review will result in a report to the city indicating the extent of conformance or nonconformance with this chapter and to identify any problems which may create a threat to public health, safety or the general welfare. Mitigation measures or alterations to a proposed design may be identified where they would serve to lessen or eliminate identified impacts. The applicant will receive a copy of any professional review contracted by the city and a copy of the statement of expenses for the professional services rendered.
(2) No application for approval for which an escrow fee is requested will be processed until the escrow fee is deposited with the City Clerk. The amount of the escrow fee shall be established based on an estimate of the cost of the services to be rendered by the professionals contacted by the Zoning Administrator. The applicant is entitled to a refund of any unused escrow fees at the time a permit is either issued or denied in response to the applicant’s request.
(3) If actual professional review costs exceed the amount of an escrow, the applicant shall pay the balance due prior to receipt of any zoning or other permit issued by the city in response to the applicant’s request.
(Ord. passed 6-24-1996; Am. Ord. 02-02, passed 2-11-2002) Penalty, see § 154.999