Facing strong public opposition last night, the County Council killed a plan that would have charged homeowners an impact fee for building an addition on their home.

More than 200 people turned out last night to take part in or listen to the ongoing debate over changing the county's impact fee rates.

But the provision that would have charged homeowners for increasing a home's square footage, a fee that would have run into the thousands, was among the most controversial.

Opposition was apparent even on the council.

"You shouldn't have to pay an impact fee to expand a home you already own," Councilman Daryl Jones,...