The Austin City Council will consider a resolution at its Monday night meeting that increases building permit fees.

At the April 8 work session, the council looked at a proposal that included raising the residential fee schedule to one-half the rates of the 1994 schedule. That would raise permit fees for some home builders by more than 50 percent.

The proposal in front of the council this Monday shows a more gradual increase in the fee structure. It has the rates effective June 1, 2003, at 25 percent the 1994 schedule. On Jan. 1, 2004, the rates would then increase to one-half the 1994 schedule.

The reason for the adjustments, according to a city memorandum, is that council members and city staff have received a number of phone calls expressing concern about the increases.

Under the current system, based on the 1988 fee schedule, the city lost more than $40,000 last year.

The council also is expected to approve a grant for $225,000 to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of Austin for the purchase of a lot owned by Tom Sherman, which is currently part of the Usem car lot. The lot only will be sold to the HRA if the county agrees to buy the remaining section of property from Sherman so he can relocate his business. The HRA is putting together a purchase agreement nonetheless.

The council informally agreed to pass the resolution at their last work session by a 4-3 vote.

A public hearing on the 2003 sidewalk replacement project will take place at the meeting. Residents living in the area between Fourth and Twelfth Streets NW from Oakland to Fourth Avenue will be paying for the replacement of damaged or dangerous sidewalk panels under a new plan by the city, if the resolution passes.

Replacing the tiles will probably cost home owners between $110 and $125 per panel. The cost can be added-on to taxes, paid outright or at least half paid with the remainder added on to taxes.

Residents also have the option of working with their own contractors.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com