TACIR delays vote on adding impact‑fee housing affordability study amid member questions

Tennessee’s advisory commission discussed but deferred action on a proposed work‑program amendment to study impact fees and housing affordability.

Deputy Executive Director Melissa Brown described the study—requested by House Joint Resolution 139 (Rep. Sparks)—as broader than impact fees alone, noting staff would examine multiple factors that affect housing affordability. Director Lippert told the commission the staff had preliminarily reviewed local practices and legal limits and that recommendations could include factors beyond local impact fees.

Members raised several questions about scope and likely outputs. Councilman Carlisle said Memphis has an estimated need for roughly 40,000 affordable units and asked whether the study would produce policy recommendations and assess economic outcomes. "Will you be making a recommendation?" he asked. Several members also sought clarity on whether local governments need state permission to levy impact fees, and whether the study would quantify effects on local revenues.

Given outstanding questions, the chair deferred the vote to tomorrow’s agenda to allow staff to provide more definitive answers before the commission votes to add the study to its work program.