North Aurora may cut building fees to boost development

North Aurora is considering again lowering building-related fees to spur new home construction.

“We’ve got to take some stance, or some work at making things happen, if we want them to happen,” said President Dale Berman, who proposed the temporary cuts.

“We’ve got to do something.”

New home construction provides jobs, he said. And the more residents North Aurora has, the more stores will want to build there, he said.

The village board discussed the matter Monday, and will consider it again at its next meeting, Berman said.

Berman said the village has enough money in reserve that it can afford to cut the fees. He proposes doing so through Nov. 4. Builders would have to complete construction within a year of receiving and paying for their permits.

Berman proposes cutting school and park district land-cash donation fees in half, as well as the waterworks connection fee and the building permit fee. Those fees are based on factors such as the number of bedrooms in a home and the value of the home being built.

It would also cut the plan review fee in half, to 6 percent of the building permit fee; and combine the storm sewer connection and inspection fees and charging only $175, $50 less than is now charged.

North Aurora did something similar in late 2009. Berman said he couldn’t say if doing so spurred building.

“If it didn’t spur them, we can try again,” he said. “And if it doesn’t spur them, we can try something else.”

The matter was tabled because several trustees protested that they had not received information about it beforehand. The plans was only discussed at a development committee meeting in February.