The East Grand Fork City Council approved on Tuesday new residential development rules that require paved streets be in place within three years of when the plat is recorded.
"We've had several instances where a development was falling behind in sales and wasn't being fully developed to the level its residents had hoped," said Scott Huizenga, city administrator. "Residents come (to City Hall) demanding paved streets and the developer doesn't want to do it because most of the costs would fall back on the developer.
"The city gets stuck in the middle, making somebody mad."
Some homebuyers have been unaware that they will be assessed for a road, assuming that the improvement was part of the sale price.
"Now, the buyer will know how much assessments will be rather than experience the sticker shock once it's ordered," Huizenga said.
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A plat is the plan submitted to the city of how the land will be divided into lots, a requirement before the land can be developed.
The rules change was not protested by local developers. The four most recent builders of East Grand Forks developments were contacted personally by city officials about the changes.
The new policy is not as strict as Grand Forks' rules, however. Grand Forks streets and other infrastructure need to be in place before a building permit is issued.
The new policy likely won't affect developers immediately because Huizenga said the city has seven to 10 years worth of housing lots already available. The existing housing lots, including more than 40 owned by the city, are not covered by the policy.
"We thought it was the perfect time to take action because we're not reacting to any particular housing proposal," Huizenga said. "It's not being done in the context of any personal interests or development interests."
In other action Tuesday, the council raised wastewater rates. Based on a combination of a flat fee and usage, the monthly rate will increase an average of $5 per household.
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send email to rbakken@gfherald.com .
