Campton Hills approves developer fees

Campton Hills trustees unanimously passed the first land/cash ordinance which will set forth guidelines for future development on Monday.

The ordinance will require future developers to pay $195,000 per acre developed to the school district that will be affected by the homes they construct.

St. Charles School District 303, Kaneland School District 302, and Central School District 301 in Burlington, all serve different areas of Campton Hills.

Representatives from all three school districts were on hand to express their support for the ordinance.

"Transition fees allow us to put teachers in the classroom," said Brad Hawk, Central School District superintendent.

The newly established land/cash fee is higher than other surrounding municipalities require for developers.

Currently St. Charles requires $185,000 per acre within city limits, and $110,000 outside.

Geneva also requires $185,000 per acre for land both inside and outside its city boundaries.

"I think the 195 measure is a good starting point," said village trustee Charles Cappell. "We think the school districts are an integral part of the community. We want to make sure it's one of the best areas to get a quality education."

In addition, the ordinance will also require 15 acres of land for any future elementary schools to be built in the village, 35 acres for a middle school, and 108 acres for a high school.

Currently Kane County requires 80 acres for a high school, however Campton Hills Village President Patsy Smith said they plan to increase the requirement to 108 acres.

Developers may either pay the land/cash fees up front, or on a per lot basis, when they get their building permits.

In addition, developers will receive a 5 percent discount if they allow the money they pay to go toward school operating costs, which is often the area where schools are most in need of money.

"With this ordinance when in place, a 100 home subdivision would provide $600,000 to the schools that they didn't have before," Village Attorney William Braithwaite said.