Fees paid by developers to create county parks are poised to take a giant leap skyward.
In some cases fees will increase more than 500 percent, as the county adjusts a payment schedule that hasn't been changed since the mid-1980s.
“No one's happy about increased fees, and we certainly don't like the fact that they waited 20 years because then it's an astronomical adjustment,” said Matthew Adams, vice president of government affairs for the Building Industry Association of San Diego.
“Ultimately, it's the new home buyer who pays,” Adams said, after county supervisors approved the changes yesterday “It goes into the cost of construction.”
The supervisors approved the new fees on a 4-1 vote, with Dianne Jacob opposed. Jacob expressed a concern, also voiced by Adams, that there was no money set aside for ongoing maintenance of new parks once they are built.
Currently, the fees range from $400 per home in the far eastern portion of the county to $1,000 per home in the unincorporated area of San Dieguito. The new fees, which take effect April 20, will range from $2,684 per dwelling up to $6,974.
The fees reflect what it would cost to build 3 acres of parkland for every 1,000 people, and they vary according to the cost of land in different communities. County officials estimate they will receive more than $5.5 million a year in extra revenue.
Community groups praised the proposal at yesterday's board meeting, where 26 people spoke in favor of it.
“We feel the increases are long overdue,” said Harriet Taylor of the Sweetwater Community Planning Group. “We need more park improvements, more parkland and open space for those who want to enjoy the outdoors.”
Rick Wagner of the 4-S Ranch Little League said the 470 kids in his league don't have nearly enough field space for practice or games, and new fields are sorely needed in the growing area.
Others noted that building additional recreational areas will help the county's fight against childhood obesity. “Today children are raised in a jungle of concrete and steel,” said Dr. Michael McCoy, a longtime member of the San Diego County Parks Committee. “This scenario needs to be changed.”
“I think it really shows the commitment this board has had not only to parks and open space, but to kids and families,” said Supervisor Greg Cox. “The fact that the building industry was not here to speak for or against says volumes.”
Developers didn't oppose the measure, mainly because they figured the increases are part of the cost of doing business, said the Building Industry Association's spokeswoman, Donna Morafcik. The association worked with the county for six months developing the new fee schedule, she said.
“Our philosophy is we will pay our fair share as long as the costs are justifiable and reasonable, and we're at the table making sure our concerns are heard,” Morafcik said.
