3.10.120 Computing impact fees based on independent fee calculation studies.
A. As an alternative to payment of impact fees as provided in the schedules set forth in this chapter, any person required to pay impact fees may request that such fees be calculated according to an independent fee calculation study submitted by such person and approved by the Administrator as provided in this section. A person required to pay impact fees may submit an independent fee calculation study for one or more impact fees and use the impact fee schedules in this chapter for one or more impact fees.
B. All independent fee calculation studies shall be submitted to the Administrator for review and approval. The study shall be accompanied by the fee set by City Council resolution for the review of such studies.
C. The independent fee calculation study shall meet the following standards:
1. The study shall follow accepted impact fee assessment practices and methodologies.
2. The study shall use acceptable data sources, and the data shall be comparable with the uses and intensities proposed for the proposed development activity.
3. The study shall comply with the applicable State laws governing impact fees, including but not limited to RCW 82.02.060 or its successor.
4. The study, including any data collection and analysis, shall be prepared and documented by professionals qualified in their respective fields.
5. The study shall show the basis upon which the independent fee calculation was made.
D. The Administrator shall consider the study and documentation submitted by the person required to pay the impact fees, but is not required to accept the study if the Administrator decides the study is not accurate or reliable. The Administrator may, in the alternative, require the person submitting the study to submit additional or different documentation for consideration. If the Administrator decides that outside experts are needed to review the study, the applicant shall be responsible for paying for the reasonable cost of a review by outside experts. If an acceptable independent fee calculation study is not presented, the person shall pay the impact fees based upon the process and schedules in RMC 3.10.080 and RMC 3.10.100. If an acceptable independent fee calculation study is presented, the Administrator may adjust the fee to that appropriate to the particular development activity. (Ord. 2610 § 1 (part), 2011: Ord. 2587 § 2 (part), 2011).