City storm water utility fees could get much higher for large commercial property owners in Cedar Rapids.

The city is considering a change that would base those fees on the size of buildings, parking lots, and other surfaces that keep water from infiltrating the soil.

That could send rates soaring for some businesses.

But the proposal would also include ways for those large property owners to cut costs.

"Put in features such as rain gardens, infiltration practices, wetlands...those can actually reduce the fee someone pays," said Sandy Pumphrey, project engineer.

The city believes the change in storm water billing could bring in as much as an extra one and a half million dollars a year.

A presentation on the proposal will take place Wednesday from 4:30 until 6:00 p.m. in the basement of city hall.