Ursitti said that the City of Ventura’s quote caused him to go over the plan again in detail to ensure the numbers. “Perhaps one of the councilmembers can tell me: is this normal just to build an 880 square foot apartment?” Ursitti asked.“The short answer is yes,” due to Santa Paula planning and building fees not being subsidized by the General Fund, said City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz. Other cities have determined that such fees can be supplemented by General Fund monies, he noted, but Santa Paula cannot afford to do so and balances the actual cost of staff time with fees.Bobkiewicz added that such decisions are monetary, with Council members committing funds to public safety - not budget cuts - that results in the higher fee structure.“It makes it difficult” for a property owner to invest in their own home, Ursitti noted.
Council: Citizen questions high cost of city fees for garage/apartment
November 16, 2005
Santa Paula City Council
A Santa Paula resident, who told the City Council that he just wants to improve his residence and provide housing, questioned the more than $33,000 in fees he has paid so far to the city - without yet even purchasing building materials.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Santa Paula resident, who told the City Council that he just wants to improve his residence and provide housing, questioned the more than $33,000 in fees he has paid so far to the city - without yet even purchasing building materials. At the November 7 meeting, Frank Ursitti told the council he was seeking “a little clarification” regarding city costs to tear down and replace his existing garage to include a second story apartment.Ursitti purchased his Santa Paula home about four years ago, and about eight months ago decided to demolish the aging garage. “When I started the project in March,” Ursitti said, he discussed all the plans with the city and was told that his fees could be as much as $24,000. “It seemed steep to me at the time,” but to date Ursitti said he has spent $33,612 in fees, and “I haven’t purchased a stick of lumber.”Ursitti detailed the various fees and noted, “I’m not a developer, I want to invest in my property” and provide housing. “Does anyone think this is out of line?”Ursitti shopped prices with Ventura, Oxnard and Fillmore, and noted that although he was requesting cost information, “I can be told anything, like I was by planning,” but that the difference was dramatic. Oxnard representatives told Ursitti his project fees could cost up to $24,000, Ventura quoted $16,000, and Fillmore noted that fees could be as much as $28,000.
