DPFG ASSISTS LOCAL BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION WITH FEE STUDY

(prHWY.com) April 13, 2011 - Sacramento, CA -- Sunnyvale Planning Commission Recommends Parkland Increase from 3 Acres to 5
Last night the Sunnyvale Planning Commission voted 4-3 to recommend an increase to the City's parkland dedication requirement to the City Council. The Commission also directed staff to provide information regarding the implementation of a park mitigation fee for new industrial, commercial and retail developments. BIA Bay Area commissioned a fee study of the proposed increase with the assistance of Development Planning & Finance Group (DPFG). DPFG analyzed the existing parkland inventory and the in-lieu fee charged by the City of Sunnyvale. The study found that the proposal before the Planning Commission went beyond Quimby parkland dedication standards in two ways; (1) the City's current allowable parkland inventory does not reach the mandated threshold to increase the dedication requirement from 3.0 acres to 5.0 acres per 1000 population, and (2) the real estate transactions used to justify the current price per acre in-lieu fee do not reflect current market conditions.

While Planning Commissioners were sympathetic that the in-lieu fee calculation was based on a vacant land real estate transaction type that may not be appropriate, they were not moved by the land inventory analysis that pointed out why the increase in acreage was excessive. BIA had written letters to the Commission and testified at the hearing, as did coalition members from the Tri-County Apartment Association and the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. The Parks and Recreation Commission will consider the increase Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00, and the item is currently scheduled for a hearing with the City Council Tuesday, April 26 at 7:00. Builders who are interested in participating in a coalition for education and outreach are urged to contact Cris and Giles 408.961.8133.

###