Home builders oppose storm water control legislation

The legislation comes as small cities and large construction projects are being required to meet Phase II storm water regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sen. Nodler said the bill is intended specifically to allow the town of Carl Junction, in Jasper County, to hold an election to establish a fee to fund storm water improvements.

The Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield opposes the legislation, however, saying it would allow cities to tax citizens for regulations they knew were coming.

“Those EPA regulations have been in place for quite a while,” said Jennifer McClure, Springfield HBA’s director of public affairs. “But those communities have been spending their money on other things instead of saving it for what they’ll need to do in infrastructure improvements.”

She added that the bill, if passed, could allow counties and municipalities to charge developers the same fees that the developer is already paying to water and sewer districts, artificially inflating building costs.

As of Jan. 22, the bill awaited hearing in the state Senate’s Economic Development, Tourism & Local Government Committee.