Council hikes impact fees

The County Council passed a historic hike in impact fees last night, ending 10 months of debate on whether to make developers pay a larger share for the expansion of schools, roads and public safety buildings.

In a 4-3 vote, the council approved a plan to more than double the fees in 2011. That is expected to inject $9.9 million into county coffers for construction projects that year.

But, facing uncertainty about the slowing economy, the plan first offers a two-year discount in order to encourage development in the short term.

Proponents of the fee increases say the move eventually will stop taxpayers from having to...