Chapter 16.48

DEDICATION OF PARK LAND AND FACILITIES

As a condition of approval of any residential development upon any lot or lots, the subdivider of such lot or lots shall dedicate land to the City for parks and recreational purposes, pay to the City a fee in lieu thereof, or both at the option of the City, based on the number of dwelling units to be constructed. The City has determined, as a general standard, that six acres of property for each 1,000 persons residing within the City shall be devoted to neighborhood and community park and recreational purposes.

(Prior code § 21-12-1)

• A. The amount of land to be dedicated is based on the estimated population of the proposed subdivision. This chapter assumes that the average number of persons in a single-family household is three and that the average number of persons in all other types of households (duplex, multifamily and mobile homes) is 2.15 or 1.5 for small multifamily units (units with 700 square feet or less).

Average number of persons per dwelling unit = minimum acreage dedication divided by 1,000/5

• B. The following table shows the required park land dedication per type of dwelling unit based on the formula in subsection A of this section:

Text read from an image; its layout may differ:
Parkland Dedication Table
Average Number of Persons Average Number of Persons per
Type of Dwelling Per Dwelling Unit Dwelling Unit Divided by 1,000/5
Single-family 3.0 0.015
Multifamily 2.15 0.01075
Small Multifamily 1.5 0.0075

For example, the amount of parkland that would be dedicated for a 150 unit single-family project would be determined in the following way:

150 dwelling units × 0.015 acres/dwelling unit = 2.25 acres

• A. When a fee is to be paid in lieu of land dedication, the amount of such fee shall be based upon the fair market value of the amount of land which would otherwise be required for dedication. The fee shall be determined by the following formula:

Number of Units × DU Requirement × FMV of BUA = Fee

Where:

• DU Requirement = Dedication requirement per dwelling unit as determined by Section 16.48.020(B) of this chapter

• FMV = Fair market value

• BUA = Buildable acre, a typical acre of subdivision and located in an area other than an area where building is not allowed because of flooding, easements or other restrictions

For example, the amount of in-lieu fee that would be paid for a 150 single-family unit project, where the land is valued at $400,000.00 an acre, would be determined in the following way:

150 × 0.015 [2.25] × $400,000.00 = $900,000.00

• B. Fair market value shall be determined by the City with a written appraisal report prepared and signed by an appraiser acceptable to the City and paid for by the subdivider. The appraisal shall be made immediately prior to the filing of the final map. If more than six months elapse prior to filing the final map, the City will prepare a new appraisal and bill the subdivider for the cost of reappraisal.

• (Prior code § 21-12-3)

If the proposed subdivision contains 50 or fewer parcels, the subdivider shall pay an in-lieu fee in the amount specified in this chapter. If the proposed subdivision contains 51 parcels or more, the City has the discretion of accepting land dedication, an in-lieu fee or a combination of both. Whether the City accepts land dedication or the payment of an in-lieu fee, or a combination of both, shall be determined by the consideration of the following by the City:

• A. The natural features, access and location of land in subdivision available for dedication;

• B. The size and shape of the subdivision and land available for dedication;

• C. The feasibility of dedication;

• D. The compatibility of dedication with the park master plan;

• E. The location of existing and proposed park sites and trailways. (Prior code § 21-12-4)

No credit shall be given for private open space in the subdivision. (Prior code § 21-12-5)

Fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the subdivision park trust fund. Collected fees shall be committed to the development of park or recreational facilities to serve residents of the subdivision within five years after the issuance of building permits on one-half of the lots created by the subdivision. If such fees are not so committed, these fees, less an administrative charge, shall be distributed and paid to the then record owners of the subdivision in the same proportion that the size of their lot bears to the total area of all lots in the subdivision. (Prior code § 21-12-6)

The City's standard for park land is six acres per 1,000 residents. The amount of land to be dedicated or in-lieu fees to be paid pursuant to this chapter shall account for five acres per 1,000 residents. The balance of one acre per 1,000 residents shall be collected as an in-lieu fee as part of the major projects financing plan at the time of issuance of a building permit. Subdividers shall also be required to pay fees for park improvements as specified in the current major projects financing plan.

(Prior code § 21-12-7)