Vote 2014 results: Columbia Proposition 2 fails

Columbia voters rejected Proposition 2 during Tuesday’s election.

The proposition would have raised fees that construction companies pay to build new homes and businesses.

The city had planned to collect the money for new roads.

The proposition would have hiked the charge for new development from 50 cents per square foot to $1 per square foot, and $1.50 per square foot for non-residential construction that is low impact.

The charge would have increased to $2 for high impact residential buildings.

The fee would have been phased over a three year period. The fees would not apply to additions on those buildings.

Ian Thomas, 4th ward councilman, was disappointed Tuesday night to hear the results.

“The city is going to be short of funds for building new roads. Our capital improvement sales tax is up for renewal next year, and if that fails as well there really will be a shortage,” said Thomas.

Brain Tooghy, Director of Operations of the Columbia Board of Realtors, said he felt this proposition was a tax and not fair to developers or those wanting to buy homes in Columbia.