Louisville Metro Councilman Anthony Piagentini has introduced a proposal to raise the system development charge—a one‑time fee that developers pay for new construction—to help fund road and intersection upgrades as housing growth accelerates in his district. According to WLKY, the amendment would update a 20‑year‑old ordinance and increase the fee for a new single‑family home from $1,000 to $1,500.

Fees for new townhomes would climb from $500 to $1,200 per residence, while the charge for each new apartment unit would jump from $250 to $1,000. Piagentini said apartments generate about two‑thirds of the road trips and car traffic that a typical single‑family detached home creates, so the higher fee “puts everybody on a level playing field.”

“We don’t want existing taxpayers to pay 100% of the infrastructure growth for new homes. Those new home builders and developers should pay part of it,” Piagentini told reporters. He added that the city currently lacks sufficient road capacity to support the rapid development and that the revised fees would allow infrastructure improvements to occur concurrently with construction rather than waiting until after projects are completed.

The proposal would apply to the eastern and southeastern portions of Jefferson County, specifically Metro Council Districts 11 and 16‑20. Funds collected through the increased fees would continue to be matched by Metro Government, accelerating the pace of needed upgrades.

Piagentini framed the amendment as a balanced response to two pressing concerns: the need for additional housing and the repair of aging infrastructure. He emphasized that the revised fee structure is intended to ensure that developers contribute fairly to the public costs their projects generate.

What’s next: The bill will be presented to the Metro Council’s Public Works Committee next week for public comment and a vote. Residents and developers in the affected districts are encouraged to attend the hearing to voice support or concerns.

Sources: wlky.com