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The test adopted by North Carolinas2 and a growing number of other <br />state courts to evaluate exactions is the "rational-nexus" test.33 The test <br />embodies three principles: (1) the attribution principle, (2) the proportionality <br />principle, and (3) the benefit principle. In determining whether an adequate <br />connection exists, it first must be shown that the development will create a need <br />for new capital facilities, the so-called "attribution" principle. A local government <br />need not prove that exaction requirements were assessed to meet a need <br />so/e/y generated by a particular subdivision. Instead, as the Wisconsin <br />Supreme Coud held in a case involving development fees to fund new schools, <br />a rational nexus is sufficiently established if the local government can <br />demonstrate that a series of developments have generated a need to provide <br />educational facilities for the stream of new residents.34 <br /> <br /> The second principle, proportionality, has been described by the North <br />Carolina Court of Appeals as requiring that a "subdivider can be required 'to <br />bear that portion of the cost which bears a rational nexus to the needs created <br /> <br /> =2. The North Carolina Court of Appeals adopted this test in Batch v. Town of Chapel Hill, 92 N.C. <br /> App. 601,376 S.E.2d 22 (1989), rev'don other grounds, 326 N.C. 1,387 S.E.2d 655 (1990), <br /> cert. denied, 496 U.S. 931 (1990). It was applied by the same court in Franklin Road Properties v. <br /> City of Raleigh, 94 N.C. App. 731,381 S.E.2d 487 (1989). The North Carolina Supreme Court <br /> has nol addressed this matter. <br /> <br />33. For a full discussion of the specifically and uniquely attributable test, the rational nexus test, <br /> <br />and reasonable relationship lest, see Blaesser and Kentopp, 'Impact Fees," 55, 64; Smith, "From <br />Subdivision Improvement Requirements," 5, 10. See also Ducker, 'Taking Found for Beach <br />Access Dedication Requirement," 2. <br /> <br />34. Jordan v. Village df Menomonee Falls, 137 N.W.2d 442 (Wis. 1965). <br /> <br />38 <br /> <br /> <br />