Going up

Escrow fees for subdivisions, site plans, redevelopment and other applications would be increased if an ordinance proposed by the Middlesex Borough Council eventually becomes law.

The council plans to introduce the measure at its Tuesday, Jan. 23 meeting, according to an agenda and companion documents posted on the municipal website.

Applicants’ escrow fees are paid to a municipality to cover the costs of professional services incurred while reviewing their plans. The fees pay for items such as engineering, legal, environmental and other reviews.

The ordinance states that the council has received a request from the Joint Land Use Board’s professionals to “modestly increase” the escrow fees In order to “avoid deficiencies” during site plan processing.

When the council increased rental unit inspection fees last fall, it received objections from several landlords at a public meeting. it remains to be seen if the escrow fee hike will spur further questions.

If the ordinance is introduced as expected this week, the public hearing might be held as soon as next month.

The following are the items that would be increased in the proposed ordinance and their amounts: In most cases only escrow fees are being increased, with application fees remaining the same.

Minor subdivision – lot line adjustment: escrow amount would be $3,000. It is currently $2,000.

Minor subdivision – escrow would be $4,000. It is now $3,000.

Preliminary major subdivision – base escrow amount would remain $4,000, but a $100 per lot charge would be added.

Variance with subdivision – Escrow would go to $5,000 with $500 per variance. It is now $4,500 plus the variance charge.

Minor site plan – Escrow would be set at $7,500; up from its current level of $6,000.

Major site plan – New escrow amount would be $12,000 plus $200 per lot. Current figure is $10,000 plus the per lot charge.

Variance with site plan – This category would also be set at $12,000 and $200 per lot. Charge is now $10,000 plus $200.

Redevelopment application – Charge would be $15,000 plus $200 per lot and $500 per deviation. Current figure is $10,000 plus the per lot and deviation amounts.

Interpretation application – Escrow is rising to $2,000 from $1,500.

Variance application for a residential accessory building – New escrow amount would be $1,000; increased from $500.

The ordinance would also institute application fees and escrow amounts for three new categories of charges.

Use variance with waiver of site plan – Application fee: $400; Escrow fee: $4,000.

Concept review – Application fee: $100; Escrow fee: $1,000.

Certificate of non-conformity – Application fee: $150; Escrow fee: $1,000.

Reminder

Subscribe to Inside – Middlesex. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It is absolutely free.