Milpitas Council Considering Fee Increases, Firefighter Cuts

The Milpitas City Council will consider raising development fees in the 437-acre Transit Area and cutting the minimum daily staff level for the Fire Department from 15 firefighters and a Battalion Chief to 12 firefighters and a Battalion Chief.

A staff report prepared for the council says that if the new staffing levels are adopted, four firefighters could be laid off.  The staff report doesn’t mention how much money the city would save if the layoffs go through.

The council will also look to increase Transit Area Development Impact Fees.  The fees are meant to pay for upgrades to utilities, parks and roadways in the 437–acre transit area.

According to the staff report, the city hopes to have new multi-family residences, hotels, offices and retail move into the area that is now home to low-intensity industrial uses.

The fees were first adopted in 2008 and were raised in 2010.  The proposed fee increases reflect the increased cost of construction of infrastructure and land acquisition.

Fees would increase 17 to 21 percent depending on the proposed development.  The staff report doesn’t indicate how the fee increases might affect future development in the Transit Area because to date, no new development has occurred in the area since the fees were first adopted.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. at 455 East Calaveras Bl. 

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