Sandy Springs reduces development fees

Fees for rezonings, variances and other development projects are being cut in half in Sandy Springs, in the hopes of spurring development.

The reduction applies to all fees collected by the city’s Department of Community Development and will last for one year from the Feb. 16 vote. The reduction does not apply to impact fees.

Each fee will be cut by 50 percent, though the size of the reductions vary since fees range from $1 to $1 million based on valuations. The building permit and zoning fees raised about $400,000 last year, so the city expects to bring in just $200,000 under the reduction.