Extracted text (via pymupdf)
3992 characters
Development Fee Update
September 1, 2026
City Council Memo
City of Apache Junction
Development Services Department
Date:
September 1, 2026
To:
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Through:
Bryant Powell, City Manager
Rudy Esquivias, Development Services Director
Sidney Urias, Development Services Deputy Director
Subject:
City Council Meeting – September 1, 2026:
Land Use Assumptions, Infrastructure Improvements Plan
Adoption for Development Impact Fees Update
Background
Development fees are governed by Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-463.05,
which requires municipalities to update their Development Fee Study,
which includes the Land Use Assumptions and Infrastructure
Improvements Plan, at least every five years.
The Land Use Assumptions (LUA) identify the City’s projected growth in
population, housing, and employment, and where that growth is expected
to occur, while the Infrastructure Improvements Plan (IIP) outlines
the public facilities and capital improvements needed to support that
projected growth. Together, these documents are used to evaluate and
develop recommended updates to the City’s Development Fees, which may
result in increases or decreases based on projected growth and
infrastructure needs.
Development fees are one-time charges on new developments that help
pay for the infrastructure and services needed to support growth for
Streets, Parks & Recreation, Libraries, and Police. They ensure that
growth pays for growth rather than placing the burden on existing
taxpayers, help maintain current levels of service, and provide a fair
and consistent way to fund needed improvements. Development Fees also
support sustainable, planned growth, improve the accuracy of capital
planning and budgeting, and ensure that fees reflect the actual costs
of the facilities and services new development requires.
As part of the Development Fee update, the City has hired consulting
firm TischlerBise to assist with reviewing and recommending any
adjustments to the current fees. Upon adoption of the updated LUA,
IIP, and updated Development Fees, Staff will process a text amendment
to formally incorporate the new fees into City Code, Volume II, Land
Development Code, Chapter 7: Development Fees.
Development Fee Update
September 1, 2026
City Council Memo
City Council Work Session
On April 20, 2026, Ben Griffin of TishlerBise presented an overview of
the proposed Development Impact Fees study to the City Council. The
presentation included a detailed summary of the research conducted,
demographic and growth analyses, population projections, and the
methodology used to calculate the proposed fees. Mr. Griffin explained
how anticipated growth and future infrastructure needs were evaluated
to determine an equitable fee structure that would ensure new
development contributes its proportionate share toward public
facilities and services.
The discussion also included a comparative analysis of development
impact fees assessed by neighboring Valley municipalities. This
provided context for the proposed fee schedule and demonstrated how
the City's proposed rates align with those of comparable communities.
City Council Public Hearing
On July 7, 2026, Ben Griffin of TishlerBise presented an overview of
the proposed Development Impact Fee Study to the City Council. Mr.
Griffin discussed how projected growth and future infrastructure needs
were evaluated to ensure new development contributes its proportionate
share toward the cost of public facilities and services. No opposition
or concerns were expressed by members of the public or the development
community.
Sidney Urias
________________________
Prepared by Sidney Urias
Development Services Deputy Director
Attachments:
-Exhibit #1 – Draft Apache Junction Land Use Assumptions,
Infrastructure Improvements Plans, and Development Fee Report
-Exhibit #2 – City Council Memo