[Adopted 5-22-2014 by L.L. No. 3-2014]
The purpose of this article is to allow for reimbursement to
the Village for the actual costs of consulting services with respect
to the review of applications before its various boards and commissions
for approval to utilize any property in the Village, including petitions
for amendments to land use regulations. The Village has found that,
in many instances where it would otherwise be appropriate, it fails
to fully avail itself of expert consulting services because of the
cost to the taxpayers in general. It is felt that it is more appropriate
for the individual applicants to bear the cost of the review of their
application in a manner which will assist the various boards and commissions
of the Village in appropriately evaluating the potential impacts of
those applications and how the applications fit within the Village's
laws and ordinances.
All invoices for fees charged to applicants by consultants shall
be reviewed and approved by the Village Clerk as to reasonableness
before payment by the Village, and the applicant shall be provided
with copies of the invoices charged against the escrow deposit. In
the event an applicant believes that the charges invoiced are excessive,
the applicant may file a written protest to the Village Board, within
15 days of receipt of the invoice, questioning such invoice. The Village
Board shall review the protest by the applicant and provide the applicant
with a written response within 45 days of receipt of the protest.
In the event an applicant fails to make any escrow payment required
and/or fails to pay the full amount billed for consultant fees (as
approved by the Village Clerk), the reviewing board shall adjourn
any pending application and/or withhold final approval until such
payment is made. In the event final approval has been granted and
an outstanding balance for consulting fees (as approved by the Village
Clerk) remains unpaid, the Building Inspector shall not grant a building
permit and/or certificate of occupancy until payment of approved outstanding
consulting fees has been made in full.