Volkswagen is exempt from paying any water quality fees under inducements used to lure the giant plant to Chattanooga, city officials said.
Patrick Bobo of the city attorney's office said the memorandum of understanding with Volkswagen in one provision says “The Company shall not be responsible for any stormwater fees assessed by the City of Chattanooga against the Property. In the event the Company or its Property is ever assessed for any stormwater fees by the City of Chattanooga or other public entity, the stormwater fees shall be credited against any In Lieu Payments due under this Agreement.”
He added, "The provision regarding stormwater fees will continue for the life of the Agreement."
A number of local business owners have been raising complaints about a steep rise in the fee, which is assessed based on impervious areas, including parking lots and rooftops.
Volkswagen will have the largest parking area in the county and probably the largest business rooftop area as well.
Mayor Ron Littlefield said, "It should be noted that Volkswagen is seeking LEED certification for the entire site. Therefore, the development of the property will minimize runoff and many of the fees would be appropriately abated or covered through credits."