TACIR adds review of impact fees and housing affordability to work program

The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations voted to add a study of impact fees and housing affordability to its program of work.

At the meeting, the commission considered an amendment (page 3 of Tab 5) based on House Joint Resolution 139. Director Lippert told commissioners staff had compiled a draft county-and-city list of adequate facility taxes and impact fees and would update and post the list following member review. He also referenced a January 2007 attorney general opinion interpreting the County Powers Relief Act and its limits on creating new impact fees.

Commissioners asked about the study’s scope. Councilman Carlisle asked whether the review would include housing beyond single‑family construction, such as duplexes and multifamily workforce housing; Director Lippert said the “intent of the study is to look at housing affordability and … the potential factors affecting housing affordability in Tennessee,” and that availability of all housing types would be within scope. Other members asked whether the study would examine how impact‑fee revenues are used, including school projects; staff confirmed revenue uses and reliance on impact fees will be examined.

Mayor Hoffman moved to add Amendment 1 to the work program; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The commission directed staff to update the draft list of jurisdictions with impact fees, to post the revised list to the commission website, and to incorporate member questions into the forthcoming draft study.

Next steps: staff will prepare a draft report for review at the commission’s next meeting and circulate updated impact‑fee data to members.