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Ashland will help with cost of streets Change in policy follows LID failures By WENDY SIPOREN ASHLAND -- Under a new policy adopted Tuesday by the City Council, the city will begin contributing to street improvement costs, formerly the sole responsibility of homeowners. According the new local improvement district policy, the city will assume a share of the cost of improvements for street surfaces, engineering and administration, sidewalks and storm drains. The estimated cost reduction for property owners in a local improvement district is 40 percent. Changes in the city's policy have been in the works for several years after a succession of local improvement districts were opposed for being too much of a burden on individual homeowners. Residents also complained that the entire city should pay for improvements that benefit the entire city. "The new proposal is a recognition that certain improvements like sidewalks and storm drains have a benefit to more than just the residents," said City Administrator Mike Freeman. Property owners in four local improvement districts approved Tuesday night will pay from $50 to $1,792 each. But previous assessments have been as high as $38,000. Under the new policy, the city will pay 60 percent of the cost for sidewalk improvements, 75 percent of the cost for storm drains, 20 percent of street surfacing costs and 50 percent of engineering and administration costs. Assessments for property owners will be based on existing and potential housing units linked to zoning. Costs are now calculated differently for each neighborhood using a combination of street frontage, total area and number of units. Maximum assessments will be limited to $4,000 per unit or lot, adjusted annually for inflation. The maximum may be increased if fewer lots are created at a site than are allowed by zoning. Assessments for local improvement districts, plus interest, will be collected on the first sale of a property after the signing of an agreement for a district. Property owners can pay their shares in advance -- $4,000 plus inflation per unit, or estimated cost plus 10 percent if street design is complete. Advance payers will be counted in favor of triggering a local improvement district, but they still can protest its actual formation at a public hearing. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA