A. Review of Fees for Water Quality & Quantity
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
A
....-" ~ ," ....... .""!
MEMORANDUM
TO:
<l(0.
Paul Oehme, City Engineer ~'
Terry Jeffery, Water Resources coordinatO:~t . /
January 26,2009
" -
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJ:
Review of Fees for Water Quality & Quantity (Storm Sewer
Connection Charges)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
I have completed my review of storm sewer connection charges assessed in other
communities. The comparison was limited in that the assessment methodology
and land use classifications differed, often significantly, between cities. The
attached spreadsheet shows the cost on a square foot basis trying to match zoning
districts as closely as possible.
The following table lists the average charge per land use in eight (8) metropolitan
communities during 2008 and the proposed rate for 2009 in Chanhassen.
Land Use
Category
Average
(2008)
Proposed Chanhassen
Rates 2009
Ratio Over/
(under)
Avera e
Commercial 0.236 0.615 +1.61
Note: Costs are in dollars per square foot. Average rates are based upon 2008 rate schedules.
DISCUSSION
Chanhassen has eight different zoning classes which are assessed. Other
communities use a variety of zoning classifications but the most common schema
is to use three zoning classes: low-density residential, high-density residential
and commercial/industrial.
The City of Shako pee charges every development a flat rate of$0.118/ft2. In
addition, they charge a treatment and storage fee at varying rates per land use.
This rate is changed to a. flat rate of $0.024/ft2 if the developer employs
alternative treatment and storage best management practices.
Chanhassen is a Community for Life - Providing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow
Paul Oehme
January 26,2009
Storm Sewer Connection Charges
Page 2
The City of Rosemount charges a "trunk area charge" of either $0.153/ft2 or $0.204/ft2
depending upon land use. This is paid at the time of final plat. An additional treatment and
storage fee is assessed with the SAC/WAC charges when the building permit is issued. This fee
is $745/10t for single-family and duplex - assuming a typical lot of 1/3 acre, this amounts to
$0.052/ft2 for single-family. The fee is $280/unit for multi-family housing. At 12 units per acre
(the minimum density to be classified as high-density) this equals an additional $0.077/ft2.
The City of Savage applies five different rates: $0.212/ft2 for single-family residential,
$0.256/ft2 for multi-family residential and then three classes for commercial/industrial based
upon percent cover by impervious surface up to a maximum of $0.309/ft2.
The Cities of Princeton, Bumsville and Waconia use a flat trunk area fee ranging from 0.05/ft2 to
$0.260/ft2. Eagan uses a more complicated formula based upon per-acre land values plus the
cost of excavation at a rate of $8.00/yard. The City of Eagan offers numerous credit
opportunities. The figures included in the Eagan fee also show the fee with a 50% reduction.
The Cities of Farmington, Chaska and Prior Lake all charge a similar fee but the information was
not readily available on their websites. As of the time of this memorandum, I had not yet heard
back from the respective agents for these cities. According to conversations with the City
Engineer for Farmington, they are anticipating a 40% increase in stormwater fees.
Even with the proposed rate increase, the City of Chanhassen charges are consistent with what
the other communities charge for residential development. Chanhassen does charge two times
more than the other communities for industrial and commercial development. This difference in
cost between residential and commercial/industrial is intended to reflect the difference in total
hardcover and, therefore total runoff from the site which needs to be stored and treated.
It is also important to note that several communities include land in their calculations that would
be considered "undevelopable" in the City of Chanhassen. For instance, Chanhassen does not
assess for any land within a drainage and utility easement which would typically include the
entire outlot in which a stormwater pond or wetland is located. Conversely, many of the other
cities including Rosemount, Shakopee, and Savage charge for everything outside of the high
water level for storm water ponds and the normal water level for wetlands.
The fees indicated for the City of Chanhassen does not reflect any reduction resulting from
SWMP credits. This could be as much as 25% of the total assessed fee. Several other
communities do not provide credit for features and some, as in Savage, charge additional fees if a
development is "unable to provide adequate on-site ponding". This additional fee is $0.104 for
single-family residential, $0.178 for multi-family residential, and $0.357 for commercial and
industrial.
Given the calculation of "developable land", the credits available in Chanhassen and the
additional fees charged by some other cities, the stormwater fees charged in Chanhassen is less
g:\eng\terry\surface water\swmp fees\other city fees\012609 storm sewer connection charges.doc
Paul Oehme
January 26,2009
Storm Sewer Connection Charges
Page 3
than shown in the above table in relation to other communities. Currently the credits granted to a
development are strictly based upon water quality features and do not address volume reduction.
It may be feasible to tier the industrial and commercial by total impervious coverage so that rates
are reduced for those commercial site which seeking to minimize the total area paved. Still other
credit options might be available such as cisterns, green roofs, preservation of woodlands in
conservation easements or other accepted best management practices for volume reduction.
Caution is suggested when considering other BMPs as some practices may not be permanent so
the net improvement would not be realized in the future.
This concludes my review of municipal storms ewer charges. Should you have any questions,
please contact me at extension 1168. Thank you for your time and attention.
Attachment
g:\eng\terry\surface water\swmp fees\other city fees\O 12609 storm sewer connection charges. doc
Water Quantity Water Quality ~ ",;cs :~ Other Cities ZOOS Fees
WI
ZOOS Z009 ZOOS Z009 'han~ ~El! ", Rosemount' R'mnt Rosemount Burnsville Shakopee Shakopee'''V Shakopee Princeton Eagan Eagan 50% Savage Waconia IGH Farmington Prior Lk
Single Family 0.054 0.058 0.078 0.094 .~:'''' - 0.153 $745/lot^ 0.205 0.170 0.118 0.060 0.202 0.120 1.960 0.980 0.212 0.050 0.186 0.146 0.064
Duplex 0.061 0.065 0.108b 0.129b ~ :.' " :;;i~: ~'I 0.153 $745/lot 0.221 0.190 0.118 0.114 0.256 0.120 1.930 0.965 0.256 0.050 0.186 0.146 0.064
School/Town home 0.102 0.109 0.156 b O.187b !.iilr ~IWt4'~ ,~{;m 0.204 0.221 0.240 0.118 0.114 0.256 0.120 3.440 1.720 0.256 0.191 0.258 0.106
0.10Z- 0.109- s" i~'I"~ $280/unit
High Density 0.156 0.198 0.153 0.230 0.240 0.118 0.114 0.256 0.120 3.440 1.720 0.256 0.050 0.191 0.258 0.106
Mediu m Density 0.061- 0.065- 0.108 0.137 Ot:l;'g" 0.153 $280/unit 0.192 0.240 0.118 0.114 0.256 0.120 3.240 1.620 0.256 0.050 0.191 0.258 0.106
Industrial 0.314 0.336 0.156 0.198 0.204 0.204 0.260 0.118 0.197 0.339 0.120 1.900 0.950 0.309 0.200 0.191 0.311 0.133
Commercial 0.399 0.427 0.156 0.198 ,,,,~I! '~. ' 0.204 0.204 0.260 0.118 0.197 0.339 0.120 1.900 0.950 0.309 0.200 0.208 0.311 0.133
Parks/Open Space 0.054- 0.05S- 0.041 0.052 ~~~. [l>'i'Q!J~~ '1f1~ .., n~dlli' * Active recreation parks included in developale land calculations
aAmount varies - Based on development type
b Amount varies - Based on land use designation
. No credit methodology. Assessment to all land except pond to HWL and wetland to delineated boundary.
^collected with SAC&WAC at time of building permit issuance
"plus $1046/impervious acre [O.024/SF]
Wee only charged to that portion which is not treated on-site
medium density calculated as an average of 6 units per acre
high density calculated as an average of 12 units per acre
Prior Lk
Farmington
IGH
Savage
> Princeton
....
iJ
Shakopee
Burnsville
Rosemount
Chan 2009
Chan 2008
0.000
I
I !
Iii! Commercial
9 Industrial
Eil Medium Density
iI High Density
fa School/Townhome
iii Duplex
IiiI Single Family
I I I
, ' i
i 1
I
I I I
0.300
0.400
0.500
0.600
0.700
Cost per Square Foot
Comparison of Community Stromwater Charges