Schedule of zoning fees considered

Permit costs would rise in 2 categories, decrease or hold steady in others

Fees for a variety of zoning permits and other zoning-related matters in Perry Village could be changing in the near future.

Village Council, at its next scheduled meeting on Dec. 13, is expected to vote on a resolution to adopt a new schedule of fees regarding zoning applications and permits in the community.

The proposed fee revisions were presented to council in September by village Zoning Inspector Jim Watson. He researched zoning fees charged by many other Lake County communities, and looked at how Perry Village’s zoning fees have changed over the years.

Watson, who began serving as village zoning inspector on May 1,

said he sought to propose a new schedule of zoning fees that are reasonable for residents, while still covering the village’s actual costs of providing these services. He emphasized that his office deals strictly with zoning, and not building inspections such as those performed by Lake County.

“It’s not all that timeconsuming to issue (zoning) permits,” Watson said, during a Sept. 27 council meeting.

“I’d like to get back to basics for our community … what I’ve put down as a request (for each service) is very fair to (residents) and the village.”

The village Planning Commission also reviewed Watson’s proposal and made its recommendations to council before the zoning-fee resolution received a first reading at the Oct. 11 council meeting. A second reading was heard when council met on Nov. 8.

If council approves the fee schedule without further changes on Dec. 13, Watson said he believes residents will be happy to see that many of the fees have been reduced or kept at current rates, with costs in some categories being eliminated.

In fact, the schedule of proposed zoning fees shows increases recommended in only two permit categories. Permits for a new multiplefamily dwelling would rise to $150 from $100 for the first dwelling and to $150 per additional dwelling. Currently, each additional multiple-family dwelling requires a permit fee of $25, translating to a proposed increase of $125 for every dwelling beyond the first one.

A number of other residential zoning permits would be reduced by $5. Permits slated to drop to $20 from $25 are those for a new deck; fence; outdoor pool or outdoor hot tub; an addition to a family dwelling, including an attached garage; a new accessory building, such as a detached garage, carport or shed; and residential solar panels.

Meanwhile, the permit requirements for new driveways and sidewalks would be eliminated. Under the current fee schedule, driveway permits cost $25 for less than 100 square feet and 9 cents per square foot for over 100 square feet. Sidewalk permits now cost $25.

The proposed fee schedule also covers 15 different permit categories for business, commercial and industrial zoning needs. Permits for a new commercial structure or addition would be listed as costing $200, rather than $200 minimum as it appears in the current schedule.

A new industrial structure or addition would require a $200 flat permit fee, unlike the existing permit cost of 9 cents per square foot.

Meanwhile, the permit to demolish a business, commercial or industrial building would decrease $550 — to $200 from $750.

A third category would address other fees regarding zoning matters, such as a zoning-change application, property-maintenance appeal or conditional-use appeal.

The proposed new schedule of zoning fees also is intended to help zoning applicants find the information they need more quickly. Watson said he condensed the schedule to one page from two, and broke it down into three different categories preceded by headings.

“It’s going to make it easier for the resident who is making a request to figure out where to look on that form,” he said.