Several years of negotiations between Tulare County and the City of
Porterville related to land use and the process for possible collection
of impact fees wrapped up this week.
Tulare County and Porterville finalized a settlement agreement on
Tuesday that outlines measures to coordinate land use in unincorporated
areas just outside city limits; establishes a process for consideration
of the future collection of impact fees; and ends lawsuits the entities
have filed against each other related to the County*s General Plan
Update and a Redevelopment issue.
Fifth District Supervisor Mike Ennis, who represents the Porterville
area, said the MOU is a win-win for the County and Porterville.
*Porterville doesn*t want to spend millions on fixing roads and
infrastructure to make these areas compatible with city services and
standards,* Supervisor Ennis said. *In return, the County can be
assured that in the future Porterville will collect county impact fees
that help pay for much needed infrastructure used by city and county
residents alike.*
Tulare County and its eight incorporated cities have been in
negotiations for more than five years to agree upon Memoranda of
Understanding (MOU) that outline how to implement city development
standards around cities within their urban development boundaries.
These MOUs are intended to establish new urban development standards in
unincorporated areas adjacent to current city limits so new development
will meet city standards.
“This settlement agreement is the result of many years of concerted
effort and negotiation between the City of Porterville and Tulare
County,” said Phil Cox, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “This
agreement will allow Porterville and Tulare County to work more
collaboratively from this point forward.*
The entire settlement agreement can be located at:
http://bit.ly/1hidr4A
Highlights of the settlement agreement:
Porterville
– All construction within Porterville*s sphere of influence will be
built to city development standards.
– The County will recognize city plans for infrastructure within the
city*s 50 year boundaries.
– Porterville will receive $750,000 in Rule 20A Underground Utility
Project funds.
– County will drop Redevelopment lawsuit.
Tulare County
– In the future, the City of Porterville will consider the collection
of impact fees within the city on behalf of the County. (There are
currently no impact fees in place)
– The County and City will work together to recommend a sphere of
influence for the City to LAFco.
– Upon completion of the projects under the settlement agreement
(targeted within the next year), the County will assist the City with
improvements through a transfer of $750,000 in Rule 20A Underground
Utility Project funds.
– City will drop General Plan Update lawsuit.