Orange County Squeeze Remedied For Builders

<P>In an effort to counteract the squeeze on Orange County's building developments in the present economical climate, county officials agreed to postpone collecting fees for housing construction projects, offering deferred payment. Designed to assist builders offset the recent real estate decline and credit crunch, this motion is an effort to help them get otherwise-challenged projects off the ground. Orange County joins over a dozen cities and counties in adopting this program.<br><br>Large-scale developers pay millions of dollars in up-front fees to support an increase in road usage, parks, libraries, and other public works and services that expanding communities will render. Traditionally, governments deposit those fees in interest-bearing accounts, to be used when improvements and other community services are in order. Under the new program, Orange County will not collect those fees until construction is complete and certificates of occupancy are issued.<br><br>The objective in all this, of course, is to stimulate building activity, add funds into the economy, and keep builders working, thus overcoming the current slump. Although this program is being instituted immediately, the county's public works department will provide quarterly updates on the result and supervisors will meet after a year to determine whether or not to implement a permanent program. Developers will still have some up-front fees, including ones that support public safety and building and planning inspection.</P>