In a unanimous vote last week, the Post Falls City Council approved moving forward with Phase II of an impact fee study.

Impact fees are one-time charges collected from new development projects to help pay for the expansion of public facilities and infrastructure needed to accommodate growth. These fees help ensure that existing residents don't bear the full financial burden of new development.

"Looking at some of these fees, if we have zones or whatever, that could encourage more infill, which is what the council has said they've wanted as opposed to extending beyond the city periphery," said Mayor Ron Jacobson.

Councilor Joe Malloy cautioned against sprawl but noted that downtown Post Falls has established a strong identity and clear boundaries.

Phase I of the study cost approximately $115,890, with Phase II expected to cost between $35,000 and $50,000. The study is being funded by impact fees, which Jacobson described as "an expected cost of doing business."

"When we started with impact fees, we got a ton of pushback. We don't see that now," Jacobson added.

Community Development Director Bob Seale said the analysis has helped officials think creatively about the city's zones. "We'll be able to make a better determination at the next phase, because we'll be able to see how it affects the fees," he said.

The study has been examining whether non-residential park impact fees benefit the city and analyzing how additional business fees might affect housing costs.

"We'll have to look at how those numbers flesh out," Seale said.

Councilor Randy Westlund noted, "Most of the capital improvements we need to do to accommodate growth for roads are going to be the arterials outside of the city core."

Seale acknowledged that transportation impact fees may need adjustment as officials gather more information. "The majority of growth is outside the city center," he said.