CC - Item 4B - Development Impact Fee Progress ReportROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: SEPTEMBER 9, 2014
SUBJECT: DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE PROGRESS REPORT
SUMMARY
The City's Strategic Plan includes the following action item: To address a foreseeable
lack of funding for future capital improvements, complete a Development Impact Fee
(DIF) study for the initiation of new fund accounts for infrastructure improvements. A
workshop was conducted to review a potential DIF study with the City Council on April
22, 2014. Over the last four months staff has been finalizing a DIF study for the City of
Rosemead, which is anticipated being ready for the City Council's review and adoption
in January 2015.
No final actions will be taken on this agenda item. This item has been placed on the
agenda to update the City Council on the progress of this project. Any future action to
establish development impact fees would require a public hearing at a future City
Council meeting.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council review and comment on this matter.
BACKGROUND
Several years ago, Willdan Financial Services (Willdan) was previously engaged by the
City to conduct a development impact fee study for the City. The results of that study
were presented to the City in 2010, however, the City did not adopt the fees that time.
In late 2013 and early 2014, the City Council determined that it is now appropriate to
move forward with the establishment of development impact fees. Accordingly, the
updated Strategic Plan for 2014 and 2015 includes a strategic action item to complete a
DIF study for the establishment of fund accounts for infrastructure improvements
necessitated by new development. As a cost saving alternative to having Willdan
complete the necessary revisions to make the study viable for 2014, the City asked that
Willdan provide technical assistance to City staff updating the analysis using updated
2010 Census data. In June 2014, the City entered into a letter agreement in the amount
of $10,000 with Willdan for their technical and policy guidance as the City prepares the
necessary report.
ITEM NUMBER'. �
City Council Meeting
September 9, 2014
Development Impact Fee Analysis - Project Update
Page 2 of 3
ANALYSIS
Impact fees are one -time fees charged to new development, usually upon the issuance
of a building permit. The fee represents new developments' fair share of infrastructure
and facility needs. Impact fees are not charged to existing residences or businesses.
Impact fees must comply with the requirements of the Mitigation Fee Act (Government
Code Sections 6600 et sec).
Prior to adopting impact fees, an analysis of the need for public facilities to
accommodate new development in Rosemead needs to be prepared. This study is
referred to as a Nexus Study. Staff is currently preparing the Nexus Study, which is
following the standard policy methodology highlighted below:
1. Estimate of existing development and future growth: Staff has identified a
base year (2014) and has completed a growth forecast that reflects increased
demand for public facilities through the year 2025. The year 2025 was selected,
as the City's General Plan estimates growth projections through this horizon
year.
2. Identify facility standards and determine the cost of facilities required to
serve new development: This process entails determining the facility standards
used to plan for new and expanded facilities. Staff is currently completing an
inventory of existing park, general government, and public safety facilities, and
associating current cost values to those facilities. Once the inventory is
complete, it will be compared to the existing development demand for the
purpose of calculating a facility standard ($ /unit of demand). This facility
standard will then be applied to future development to ensure that new
development funds the expansion of facilities at the same standard currently
serving existing development. For the transportation impact fee, staff is currently
analyzing the fair share allocation of planned facilities, such as those identified in
the Circulation Element of the City's General Plan and the associated technical
traffic reports, to new development costs based on a ratio of planned facilities.
3. Calculate fee schedule: This step involves allocating facilities' costs per unit of
new development to calculate the development impact fee schedule.
4. Identify alternative funding requirements: The final step requires determining
if any non -fee funding is required to complete projects.
City Council Meeting
September 9, 2014
Development Impact Fee Analysis- Project Update
Page 3 of 3
Rosemead DIF Program
once the required Nexus Study is complete, it is envisioned that the 2014 DIF Study will
provide development impact fees for the following fee categories:
Transportation Facilities: The Transportation Impact Fee will finance roadway
improvements, new or enhanced transit services, additional parking, and new
bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Public Safety Facilities: The Public Safety Impact Fee will fund public safety
facilities (land, buildings, vehicles, and equipment) needed to serve new
development.
General Government Facilities: The General Government Impact Fee will fund
the general government facilities (land, buildings, vehicles, and equipment)
needed to serve new development.
Park Facilities: The Park Impact Fee will generate revenue to expand the City's
park facilities to accommodate new development.
A Sewer Impact Fee will follow the comprehensive general impact fee program, as the
amount of technical studies needed to complete the Sewer Impact Fee Nexus Study will
require additional time. Staff has requested a separate proposal from Wilidan for scope
of work, timeline, and fees for their technical assistance with the Sewer Impact Fee.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Prepared by: Submitted by:
Sheri Bermejo Michelle Ramirez
City Planner Community Development Director