FERNDALE - The city has created new incentives to spur development and business growth, with a focus on the downtown.

Developers who would build on vacant lots or lots with single-family homes downtown will have all up-front fees waived if they apply before the end of 2014. A new business anywhere in the city with fewer than 25 employees can get a rebate on half the cost of these fees through 2014.

The fee discounts were approved unanimously by the Ferndale City Council on Monday, Nov. 19.

Council also approved a discount of up to 10 percent on the traffic impact fee for new developments downtown. A reduction of the fee, $2,300 per evening rush-hour vehicle trip, could be justified because some people who stop downtown are passing through anyway, on their way home.

Keith Olson was the only council member to oppose the traffic fee discount, saying the fee was already too low.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2298.