La Quinta Municipal Code Ch. 3.34 Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural…

This chapter shall be known as the "Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan Mitigation Fee."

(Ord. 487 § 1, 2011)

The city council finds and determines as follows:

A. In order to implement the goals and objectives of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan ("MSHCP") and to mitigate the impacts caused by new development in the city, lands supporting species covered by the MSHCP must be acquired, monitored and managed in order to achieve habitat conservation in perpetuity.

B. The local development mitigation fee (the "fee") is necessary in order to supplement the financing of the acquisition of lands supporting species covered by the MSHCP and related public services, and to pay for new development's fair share of the cost of acquisition and perpetual conservation.

C. The appropriate source of funding for the costs associated with mitigating the impacts of new development to the natural ecosystems and covered species within the city, as identified in the MSHCP, is a fee paid for by residential, commercial and industrial development. The amount of the fee is determined by the nature and extent of the impacts from the development to the identified natural ecosystems and the relative cost of mitigating such impacts.

D. The fee does not reflect the entire cost of the lands which need to be acquired and perpetually conserved in order to implement the MSHCP and mitigate the impact caused by new development. Additional revenues will be required from other sources. The city finds that the benefit to each development project is greater than the amount of the fee to be paid by that project.

E. The use of the fee is apportioned relative to the type and extent of impacts caused by the development.

F. The costs of funding the proper mitigation for natural ecosystems and covered species identified in the MSHCP which are impacted by new development are apportioned relative to the type and extent of impacts caused by the development.

G. The facts and evidence provided to and considered by the city council establish that there is a reasonable relationship between the need for acquiring and conserving in perpetuity the natural ecosystems and covered species identified in the MSHCP, and the impacts to such natural ecosystems and species created by the types of development on which the fee will be imposed; and that there is a reasonable relationship between the fee's use and the types of development for which the fee is charged. This reasonable relationship is described in more detail in the Mitigation Fee Nexus Report.

H. The fees collected pursuant to this chapter are reasonable and will not exceed the estimated total of cost of the acquisition and perpetual conservation of the lands necessary to protect natural ecosystems and covered species, the plan and schedules for which are set forth in the MSHCP. Conservation of the land shall require monitoring and management beyond the life of the MSHCP permit.

I. The fee shall be used to finance the acquisition and perpetual conservation of lands and certain improvements necessary to implement the goals and objectives of the MSHCP.

(Ord. 487 § 2, 2011)

The planning director of the city shall be responsible for the administration of this chapter. Detailed administrative procedures concerning the implementation of this chapter may be established and set forth in a resolution adopted by the city council.

(Ord. 487 § 3, 2011)

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"Certificate of occupancy" means a certificate of occupancy issued by the city in accordance with all applicable ordinances, regulations, and rules of the city and state law.

"City" means the city of La Quinta, California.

"City council" means the city council of the city of La Quinta, California.

"Coachella Valley conservation commission" means the governing body established pursuant to the MSHCP that is delegated the authority to oversee and implement the provisions of the MSHCP.

"Conservation" means all the actions necessary for the permanent protection of species natural communities and habitat land as required of the Coachella Valley conservation commission under the MSHCP including land acquisition, land management, biological monitoring, law enforcement and administration.

"Conservation areas" has the same meaning and intent as such term is defined and utilized in the MSHCP.

"Credit" means a credit allowed pursuant to Section 3.34.110 of this chapter, which may be applied against the fee paid.

"Fee" means the local development mitigation fee adopted pursuant to the Mitigation Fee Act, Gov. Code Section 66000 et seq.

"Final inspection" means a final inspection of a project as defined by the building codes of the city.

"Gross acreage" means the total property area as shown on a land division map of record, or described through a recorded legal description of the property. This area shall be bounded by road right-of-way and/or legal property lines.

"Local development mitigation fee" or "fee" means the development impact fee imposed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

"Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan" or "MSHCP" means the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan, adopted by the city council on October 16, 2007.

"Ordinance" means Ordinance No. 487 of the city of La Quinta, California.

"Project area" means the area, measured in acres, from the adjacent road right-of-way line to the limits of project improvements. Project area includes all project improvements and areas that are disturbed as a result of the project improvements on an owner's gross acreage, including all areas depicted on the forms required to be submitted to the city pursuant to this chapter and/or other applicable development ordinance or regulation of the city. Except as otherwise provided herein, the project area is the area upon which the project will be assessed the local development mitigation fee.

"Residential unit" means a building or portion thereof used by one (1) family and containing but one (1) kitchen, which unit is designed or occupied for residential purposes, including single-family dwelling, multiple-family dwellings, and mobile homes on permanent foundations, but not including hotels and motels.

"Revenue" or "revenues" means any funds received by the city pursuant to the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of defraying all or a portion of the cost of acquiring and preserving vegetation communities and natural areas within the city and the region which are known to support threatened, endangered or key sensitive populations of plant and wildlife species.

(Ord. 487 § 4, 2011)

To assist in providing revenue to acquire and conserve lands necessary to implement the MSHCP, the fee shall be paid for each residential unit, development project or portion thereof to be constructed within the city. Five (5) categories of the fee are defined and include: (1) residential units, density less than 8.0 dwelling units per acre; (2) residential units, density between eight and one-tenth (8.1) and fourteen (14.0) dwelling units per acre; (3) residential units, density greater than fourteen and one-tenth (14.1) dwelling units per acre; (4) commercial acreage; and (5) industrial acreage. Because there can be mixed traditional commercial, industrial and residential uses within the same project, for fee assessment purposes only, the fee which is applicable to commercial or industrial portions shall be sited. If the mixed use occurs on the same parcel, the fee which is applicable to commercial or industrial projects shall be calculated by reference to the project area of the parcel. A fee schedule which contains the fee which is applicable to each of the five (5) fee categories shall be adopted and may, from time to time, be amended by resolution ("resolution").

A. The amount of the local development mitigation fee for a commercial or industrial development project required to be paid shall be based on the acreage to be developed and shall be calculated on the basis of the project area, in accordance with the following:

1. The project area shall be determined by city staff based on the subdivision map, plot plan, and other information submitted to or required by the city.

2. If the difference between the net acreage, as exhibited on the plot plan, and the project area is less than one-quarter (¼) acre, the fee shall be paid on the full gross acreage.

3. An applicant may elect, at his or her own expense, to have a project area dimensioned, calculated, and certified by a registered civil engineer or licensed land surveyor. The engineer or land surveyor shall prepare a wet-stamped letter of certification of the project area dimensions and a plot plan exhibit thereto that clearly delineates the project area. Upon receipt of the letter of certification and plot plan exhibit, the city shall review the submitted documents. If the project area dimensions, the letter of certificate and the plot plan are acceptable to the city, the city shall calculate the local development mitigation fee required to be paid based on the certified project area. If the project area dimensions, the letter of certification, or the plot plan are not acceptable to the city, the applicant shall perform such actions as directed by the city in order to resolve any deficiencies perceived by the city.

4. Where construction or other improvements on project area are prohibited due to legal restrictions on the project area, such as Federal Emergency Management Agency designated floodways or areas legally required to remain in their natural state, that portion of the project area so restricted shall be excluded for the purpose of calculating the local development mitigation fee.

(Ord. 487 § 5, 2011)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the city's municipal code, no permit shall be issued for any project except upon the condition that the local development mitigation fee applicable to such project has been paid in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 487 § 6, 2011)

A. The local development mitigation fee shall be paid in full at the time of the issuance of a building permit for the project; provided however, that if the city's municipal code provides for all fees assessed pursuant to the Mitigation Fee Act to be collected at a later time, then the fee collected pursuant to this chapter shall be collected at the same time as that mandated by the city's municipal code for the payment of all such other fees.

B. In no event shall a final inspection be made or a certificate of occupancy be issued prior to full payment of the fee.

C. The fee shall be assessed one (1) time per lot or parcel, except in cases of the construction of additional residential units, subsequent development of portions of a commercial or industrial parcel for which the fee was not originally collected, or changes in land use the additional fee required to be paid in the case of such exception shall not include the amount of any previously paid fee for that parcel. No refunds shall be provided for changes in land use to a lower fee category. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide documentation of any previously paid fee.

D. The local development mitigation fee required to be paid under this chapter shall be the fee in effect at the time of payment.

E. There shall be no deferment of the fee beyond final inspection or issuance of certificate(s) of occupancy.

F. Notwithstanding anything in the city's municipal code, or any other written documentation to the contrary, the local development mitigation fee shall be paid whether or not the project is subject to conditions of approval by the city imposing the requirement to pay the fee.

G. If all or part of the project is sold prior to payment of the local development mitigation fee, the project shall continue to be subject to the requirement to pay the fee as provided herein.

H. For projects which the city does not require a permit, final inspection or issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the fee shall be paid prior to any use or occupancy.

I. For purposes of this chapter, congregate care residential facilities and recreational vehicle parks shall pay the commercial acreage fee.

(Ord. 487 § 7, 2011)

A. Except as provided in subsection B, there shall be no refund of all or part of any fee paid under this chapter, except in cases of overpayment or miscalculation of the applicable fee.

B. Collection of the fee associated with the Fringe-Toed Lizard Habitat Conservation Plan (FTL HCP) ceased upon issuance of the MSHCP permit. Projects that paid the FTL HCP fees are required to pay the local development mitigation fee but may obtain a refund of the FTL CHP fee from CVCC. Refunds shall be granted subject to the rules and regulation established by the Coachella Valley conservation commission.

(Ord. 487 § 8, 2011)

A. Subject to the provisions of this section, all fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be collected, administered and remitted for deposit into the account established therefor, to the Coachella Valley conservation commission in compliance with all applicable policies and procedures of the purpose of the commission monthly. The fees will be expended solely for the purpose of conservation of the vegetation communities and natural areas within the city and the region which support species covered in the MSHCP in accordance with the plans and schedules set out in the MSHCP and the policies that have or may be adopted pursuant thereto.

B. The city may recover the costs of administering the provisions of this chapter using the revenues generated by the fees, in an amount and subject to the rules and regulations established by the Coachella Valley conservation commission.

(Ord. 487 § 9, 2011)

The fee established by this chapter shall be revised annually by means of an automatic adjustment at the beginning of each fiscal year based on the average percentage change over the previous calendar year set forth in the Consumer Price Index for "All Urban Consumers" in the Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside Area, measured as of the month of December in the calendar year which ends in the previous fiscal year. The first fee adjustment shall not be made prior to a minimum of ten (10) months subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

(Ord. 487 § 10, 2011)

The following types of construction shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter:

A. Reconstruction of a residential unit or commercial or industrial building damaged or destroyed by fire or other natural causes.

B. Rehabilitation or remodeling to an existing residential unit, commercial or industrial building, and additions to an existing residential unit or commercial or industrial building.

C. A second residential unit, constructed on residential property previously developed with a single-family dwelling, and meeting all state and city requirements for such units.

D. Existing improvements that are converted from an existing permitted use to a different permitted use, provided that no additional area of the property is disturbed as a result of such conversion.

E. Projects for which the city is restrained by law from collecting the fee due to a development agreement or vested tentative map entered into with or issued by the city prior to October 1, 2008.

F. Construction of a family residential unit upon property wherein a mobilehome, installed pursuant to an installation permit, was previously located prior to the effect date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.

G. Guest dwellings as defined in Section 9.280.030 of the municipal code.

H. Additional single-family residential units located on the same parcel pursuant to the provisions of any agricultural zoning classifications set forth in Section 9.140.070.

I. Kennels and catteries established in connection with an existing single-family residential unit.

J. Projects are exempt from paying the fee provided they meet each of the following three (3) conditions:

1. Completion of required infrastructure improvements including, but not limited to, underground utilities, exterior project area walls, streets and curbs and issuance of at least one (1) building permit for a discrete primary structure, such as a single-family home, prior to October 1, 2008 (date of MSHCP permit approval).

2. Continuous construction activity since October 1, 2008 as demonstrated by issuance of a building permit for a discrete primary structure and/or a certificate of occupancy permit for a discrete primary structure in each six (6)-month period between October 1, 2008 and April 1, 2011.

3. City registration of the project and proposed lots to be exempted, in accordance with CVCC procedures, by September 1, 2011.

Projects not meeting the standard exemption criteria above, that made verifiable payments, as part of a legal settlement, to specifically fund acquisition of habitat for a species listed as "endangered" under the Federal Endangered Species Act are required to pay the LDMF but are eligible to receive a refund, on a pro rata per acre basis based on the actual acreage being assessed the LDMF. Any such projects and proposed lots to be exempted must be registered in accordance with CVCC procedures by September 1, 2011.

(Ord. 487 § 11, 2011)

The city may grant to owners or developers of real property, a credit against the fee that would otherwise be charged pursuant to this chapter, for the dedication of land within a MSHCP conservation area, provided, however, that no credit shall be given unless: (1) the dedication is secured by a conservation easement acceptable to a grantee legally authorized to accept and hold such easements pursuant to Civil Code Section 815.3 or pursuant to other legal instrument that ensures the area will be conserved in perpetuity; (2) the land to be dedicated is appropriate for conservation and dedication thereof is consistent with and furthers the goals of the MSHCP; and (3) the dedication and credit complies with all procedures and policies of the commission. The amount of the credit granted shall be determined by an estimate of the fair market value of the land dedicated. Any credit granted by the city shall be given in stated dollar amounts only.

An applicant for a proposed project may apply for credit to reduce the amount of the fee required to be paid prior to approval of the project. Any credit granted and the amount of the fee to be paid shall be included as a condition of approval of the project. However, if an applicant has already received approval from the city and has not previously applied for a credit to reduce the amount of the fee required to be paid, an applicant may apply for such credit at any time prior to issuance of a grading permit for the project and any credit granted shall in that case be included as a condition of approval of the grading permit issued for the project.

(Ord. 487 § 12, 2011)