The Mobility Fee Compromise: Winners & Losers

[Metro Jacksonville]

The Mobility Fee Compromise: Winners & Losers



On Tuesday night, the Jacksonville City Council approved a modified version of Councilman Clark's bill that called for a three year, 100% waiver of mobility fees in an effort to stimulate the continued construction of unsustainable new development at the expense of the taxpayer. Today, Metro Jacksonville's Ennis Davis shares what the bill means for Jacksonville and identifies winners and losers from the modified legislation.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-apr-the-mobility-fee-compromise-winners-losers

[Jumpinjack]

Thanks, Lake for this excellent review of the importance of having systems and policies in place to promote "smart growth". Lots of people don't get it that these systems are tied together and focus just on funding or improving only one aspect of the failing infrastructure. The bicycle pedestrian crowd are delighted to find that their funding has not been affected but miss the over all effect of promoting compact urban growth, roads that reduce  speeds, transit that helps people get out of cars, and complete streets that relate business to access from all transportation modes.

Yes, this is another attempt to sabotage the mobility plan and we can expect more attempts in the future.

[strider]

This was about as far away from being a compromise as it can be.

The developers had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain no matter what.  The only difference from what was and what could have been was the difference of winning by a large margin when it could have been a landslide.  In the end, the developers still walked away with the gold. In fact, has anyone run the numbers?  It was said that if it wasn't for this “compromise” that it probably would have been  another year moratorium.  Which one would cost the tax payers the least?  Are we sure it is the current “discount” plan?

Lori Boyers was the only one who came close to saying what every single other council member knew.  That this was not in the best interests of Jacksonville and that it was not needed.   In the end, she knew she couldn't risk bucking the system.  And she knew what all the other council members know.  The voting public won't even think about this when they go into the booth to vote next time.  The special interests will make sure of it.

MetroJacksonville as a community needs to start looking for that right candidate for Dr. Gaffney's spot as well as the other mostly urban core seats. We need to work towards making sure those candidates are not vulnerable to the pressure from other special interest groups.  I say other because the only way that works is to become a well funded special interest group ourselves. Frankly, I suspect that if we do less than that, we will be wasting our support.

[jaxlore]

Thanks for the great article!

I tell you everytime I step into a city council meeting I am flabergastted by the outright pandering to lobbyists and special interests. I feel the city council treats the majoirty of speakers like children instead of constituents and community peers. At what point will they get it right?

fieldafm's quote says it all:

For everyone reading, remember this when these smart people step up to the plate and run for office.  There were quite a few last year that never got past the primary. Being proactive instead of apathetic, is the only way those people can make it happen.  This isn't North Korea, those smart people you speak of have to be elected into office in order to make a difference.  Otherwise, status quo will reign supreme.

[PeeJayEss]

My concern with this stepped plan is that you will have developers pushing their projects through a little earlier to make sure they hit the lower-fee window. Nothing wrong with that, it makes sense for them. Anyone that is planning to apply in the next 18 months will try to get it done earlier rather than later. This could make the size of the fee look like it is directly tied to development. My fear is that this 18-month BS will further their nonsense case for a complete and perpetual moratorium on the fee, resulting in a dead Mobility Plan.

[tufsu1]

^ I believe they will actually have to build something fast in order to get the biggest discount....if they just get approvals but don't build until later, they will owe the larger amouint

[dougskiles]

^ I believe they will actually have to build something fast in order to get the biggest discount....if they just get approvals but don't build until later, they will owe the larger amouint

That is correct.

[Jdog]

My concern with this stepped plan is that you will have developers pushing their projects through a little earlier to make sure they hit the lower-fee window. Nothing wrong with that, it makes sense for them. Anyone that is planning to apply in the next 18 months will try to get it done earlier rather than later. This could make the size of the fee look like it is directly tied to development. My fear is that this 18-month BS will further their nonsense case for a complete and perpetual moratorium on the fee, resulting in a dead Mobility Plan.

..."This could make the size of the fee look like it is directly tied to development."


Scary.  Yikes.     

[Jdog]

I have a question:

Did the JTA ever provide input or comments at the meeting? 

Wouldn't it have been appropriate? 

[Jumpinjack]

^ I never heard them speak up in any meeting. Considering the battering that transit took from CM Clark, it might have been good if they showed up and spoke up.

[spuwho]

Any future council member or mayoral election platforms need to include language on the Mobility Plan.  No mealy mouth responses.  Future elected officials must have clear and concise language that states their positions on the Mobility Plan and on Regional/Urban Planning for greater Jacksonville.

Only the voters can hold the elected accountable.

The T-U, MJ, or any other media vehicle when vetting the candidates must have this as a bullet item.

It will force the candidates to research, understand and be able to establish and communicate a position.

[TD*]

Sad sad sad.... Ennis, why dont you and the crew move on to a city that actually is progressive.

[ricker]

Sad sad sad.... Ennis, why dont you and the crew move on to a city that actually is progressive.

Hi Tallahassee lover/ TD*,

IF Mr.Davis and others who care as much as we all do for the maturity and progression of this great place were to simply "move on", what would we all ultimately accomplish?

It is understandable that you hold a very high view of your stomping grounds, but please discontinue your bashing of Jacksonville as most of us still here strive to steadily work to continually improve this city in every way we can imagine.

We will not be thwarted.

Your pessimism is not contagious.

Thankfully.

[TD*]

When i read the comp plan i was hopeful with the mobility fee, but now all is lost, and I see another sprawling future.

Its devastating.....

[tufsu1]

The comp. plan and the mobility plan aren't dead....sure they've temporarily been watered down some....but one could easily argue that, through this process, community leaders have been made far more aware of the importance of bike/ped issues....and that seems like a major plus to me.