(a)
To mitigate impacts caused by new development projects within the fire department's
service area, a fire facility, apparatus and equipment development impact mitigation
fee is necessary. The fee is needed to finance fire facilities, apparatus and equipment
necessary to serve new development and to assure new development projects pay their
fair share for these facilities.
(b)
Title 7, Chapter 5, Section 66000 et seq. of the California Government Code provides that development
impact fees may be enacted and imposed on development projects. The board of supervisors
finds and determines that:
(1)
New development projects cause the need for construction, expansion and/or improvement
of fire facilities within the fire department's service area.
(2)
Funds for construction, expansion and/or improvement of fire facilities are not available
to accommodate the needs caused by new development projects, which will result in
inadequate fire facilities, apparatus and equipment within the fire department's service
area.
(c)
The board of supervisors finds that the public health, safety, and general welfare
will be promoted by the adoption of a fire facility, apparatus and equipment development
impact fee for the construction, expansion, and/or purchase of fire facilities, apparatus
and equipment to serve new development and maintain existing levels of service; the
need for which is caused by new development projects. In establishing a development
impact fee, the board of supervisors finds the fee consistent with the Santa Barbara
County comprehensive plan/land use element.
(d)
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.2, the board of supervisors has considered
the effects of the fees with respect to the county's housing need as established in
the housing element of the general plan.
(e)
Pursuant to Title 14 California Code of Regulation, Sections 15061(b)(3) the board
of supervisors finds that this article is exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act.
