SR 08-25-2015 11A
City Council
Report
City Council Regular Meeting: August 25, 2015
Agenda Item: 11.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Director, Planning and Community Development , Planning and
Community Development
Subject: Resolution Establishing a Revised Fee Schedule for Certain Landmark Permit
Application User Fees and Services in the Planning and Community
Development Department
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution to establish a
new fee schedule for Landmark-related permit application user fees and services in the
Planning and Community Development Department (PCD).
Executive Summary
This report presents information and requests adoption of a new fee schedule for fees
related to Historic District Designation, Landmark Designation, and Structure of Merit
user fees and services. The new fee schedule rolls back the rates to the prior adopted
rate.
Background
On May 12, 2015 Council adopted a new fee schedule for development and
construction-related permit application user fees and services in the Planning and
Community Development Department in association with the 2015 Draft Zoning
Ordinance. The adopted fees were based on a comprehensive review of user fees and
charges prepared by the consultant firm, MGT of America. On June 23, 2015, Council
unanimously voted to rollback certain Landmark-related fees to the previous levels
(prior to May 12, 2015).
Discussion
The new fees approved by Council on May 12, 2015 were intended to recover City
costs and were not structured to generate additional revenue in excess of the cost to
provide services. It is City policy to achieve full cost recovery for development,
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planning, and construction-related services, with some exceptions. However, three
Landmark-related fees were raised significantly due to the amount of staff time required
to process each permit type and were intended to recuperate full cost recovery: Historic
District Designation (fee raised from $1,186 to $15,745); Landmark Designation (fee
raised from $816 to $4,854); and Structure of Merit (fee raised from $876 to $3,388). I t
was Council’s belief that full cost recovery of these fees might in some cases deter
nominations for Landmark Designation, Historic District Designation, and/or Structures
of Merit. Council voted on June 23, 2015 to roll back the newly adopted fees to p rior
levels. The new fees did not become effective until July 24, 2015, the effective date of
the new Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, it was necessary to wait until after this date to
return with a fee resolution. The attached Resolution reflects the fee levels prior to May
12, 2015 for Historic District Designation, Landmark Designation, and Structure of Merit.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action. Since there was not a revenue increase projected when the fee
structure went to Council on May 12, 2015, rolling back the fees to the previous levels
will not result in a revenue decrease.
Prepared By: Lynn Wolken-Gonzales, Principal PCD Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Resolution