Ordinance 3098CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE NO. 3098
New Series
AMENDING ALAMEDA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER XXVII, SECTION
27-3 (CITYWIDE DEVELOPMENT FEES) AND ADDING SECTION 27-4
(ALAMEDA POINT DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES)
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Alameda that:
Chapter XXVII of the Alameda Municipal Code is amended by amending section
27-3 and adding section 27-4:
27-3 DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
27-3.1 Authority.
This Section 27-3 of the Alameda Municipal Code may be referred to as the
Development Impact Fee Ordinance and is adopted pursuant to the police power of the
City and under Government Code Section 66000 et seq. (Mitigation Fee Act). All words,
phrases, and terms used in this section shall be interpreted in accordance with the
definitions set forth in the Mitigation Fee Act, unless otherwise specifically defined
herein.
27-3.2 Application.
This section applies to development impact fees charged as a condition of development
in the portion of the City outside Alameda Point to defray the cost of certain public
improvements, services, and amenities. The cost of developing and administering the
City's development impact fee program may be included as a component of the
established fees. The fees charged under this section do not replace or repeal any other
fee or charge levied pursuant to any section of the Alameda Municipal Code, nor do the
fees charged under this section replace any subdivision map exactions; other site-
specific mitigation measures or conditions; other regulatory, or processing fees, funding
required pursuant to a development agreement or reimbursement agreement or special
assessments, unless such charges, exactions or assessments relate to the facilities
funded pursuant to this section.
27-3.3 Intent and Purpose.
The intent and purpose of the development impact fee is to mitigate the impacts of new
residential and new or intensified industrial and commercial development on
transportation, parks and recreation, general public facilities, and public safety as more
specifically described in the projects listed in Appendix B to the Nexus Study. The
purpose of each component of the development impact fee is as follows:
a. The purpose of the transportation component is to fund required improvements
related to public safety such as traffic signals, street overlays, handicap ramps at
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intersections, and other traffic safety improvements and to mitigate the
degradation in the levels of service on public roads from new developments.
b. The purpose of the parks and recreation component is to fund a portion of the
capital costs associated with construction of new park and recreation
improvements and facilities.
c. The purpose of the general public facilities component is to fund a portion of the
capital costs associated with library improvements and collections, seismic
upgrades, and other improvements to existing public facilities and equipment.
d. The purpose of the public safety facilities and improvements component is to
fund a portion of the costs associated with construction of public safety facilities
and the purchase of public safety equipment.
27-3.4 Findings.
The City Council finds and declares:
a. The City provides public services and constructs and maintains public
improvements for the benefit of residents, businesses and employees within the
City.
b. New development potential in the City has been made available by the
redevelopment of the northern waterfront area and intensification of existing uses
and development of new uses such as housing as well as other infill or urban
redevelopment activity throughout the City.
c. This anticipated residential and commercial development will generate an
increase in the need for City services and the corresponding capital facilities
necessary to provide those services. New residential and new or intensified
commercial development will thus create an additional burden on the existing
capital facilities and services.
d. If additional capital facilities and public services are not added as development
occurs, the existing facilities and services will not be adequate to serve the
community. This could result in adverse impacts, such as inadequate public
safety services, inadequate traffic safety and transportation improvements,
inadequate parks and recreation facilities, as well as inadequate other general
public facilities.
e. There is a reasonable relationship between the need and use of development
impact fee projects and new development.
1. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for transportation
projects and the type of development project on which the fee will be imposed
since new development throughout the City will increase trips on local,
citywide, and regional roads, leading to potential deterioration of service
levels and the need for more traffic signals, additional turn lanes, and other
improvements. The City's General Plan establishes a service standard for
traffic congestion. New development will lower the level of service unless
improvements are made. The resurfacing of streets and pathways ensures
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that both drivers and pedestrians are safe from accidents resulting from
cracks, potholes, and other damage that occurs. New development also adds
to the wear of city streets. Further, there is a reasonable relationship between
the need for the transportation projects and the type of development project
on which the fee will be imposed since each new development project will add
to the incremental need for new roadway capacity, safety or replacement
projects in order to meet public safety standards.
2. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for parks and recreation
facilities and improvements and the type of development project on which the
fee will be imposed since new residents will use parks and recreational
facilities throughout the City. Further, there is a reasonable relationship
between the need for the parks and recreation projects and the type of
development project on which the fee will be imposed since current parks and
recreation service levels will fall if additional facilities and equipment are not
provided and a greater variety of facilities, as called for in the General Plan
and the Park Master Plan, will not be able to be provided.
3. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for public improvements
and the type of development project on which the fee will be imposed since
new residential and commercial development will result in new City residents
and employees who will demand and use the services offered by the new
public buildings and improvements included in this program. Further, there is
a reasonable relationship between the need for the public improvement
projects and the type of development project on which the fee will be imposed
as further explained in the City's Capital Improvement Program and the City's
General Plan.
4. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for public safety facilities
and improvements and the type of development project on which the fee will
be imposed since new development throughout the City will increase the
need for public safety improvements. Further, there is a reasonable
relationship between the need for public safety facilities and improvements
and the type of development project on which the fee will be imposed since
current levels of police and fire services cannot be maintained if additional
facilities and equipment are not provided to serve new development. The
need for these facilities and equipment is further explained in the Land Use
Element of the General Plan and the City's Capital Improvement Program.
The determination of how there is a reasonable relationship between the use of
the development impact fee and the type of development project on which the
fee is imposed is set forth in more detail in the Nexus Study.
f. To prevent these undesirable consequences, and to reduce the impacts of new
development on capital facilities, equipment, and services, the City's capital
facilities must be constructed, and the City's public services must be provided, at
a rate which will accommodate the expected growth in the City.
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g.
The development impact fees established by this section will be imposed upon
development projects for the purpose of mitigating the impact of the development
on the ability of the City to provide specified public improvements and services.
h. The City has caused to be prepared Willdan Financial's City of Alameda
Development Impact Fee Update and Nexus Study, dated June 2014 (Nexus
Study). The Nexus Study is on file with the City Clerk.
The Nexus Study identifies the development potential of the City from the year
2014 until 2040; identifies four (4) categories of capital facilities and equipment
required to serve and accommodate new development; and provides a summary
of the portion of each improvement category's costs that can be funded by new
development.
The four (4) categories of capital facilities and equipment that will be funded by
the development impact fee established by this section are (1) transportation; (2)
parks and recreation facilities; (3) general public facilities; and (4) public safety.
These capital facilities and equipment are needed to promote and protect the
public health, safety and general welfare within the City, to facilitate orderly urban
development, to maintain existing levels of service, and to promote economic
and social well-being.
k. The City Council has relied upon the factual information, analysis, and
conclusions in the Nexus Study in adopting this section.
J.
27-3.5 Development Impact Fee Established.
a. A development impact fee is hereby established on development in the City to
pay for transportation improvements and facilities; parks and recreation
improvements and facilities; general public facilities; and public safety facilities.
The development impact fee will be imposed by land use category of
development. The development impact fee shall be imposed upon all new, or
expanded existing, commercial development and on new residential
development and also upon uses which intensify the use of existing commercial
or residential structures as set forth herein, except as provided in subsection 27-
3.11.
b. The improvements summarized by category in subsection 27-3.4(j) are listed
specifically in Appendix B to the Nexus Study.
c. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 27-3.5(d), the development impact
fee shall be paid by each developer prior to the issuance of a building permit.
d. For development which intensifies the use of an existing non-vacant structure or
a structure for which the development impact fee has not been paid, the fees
shall be payable prior to issuance of a building permit, or if no building permit is
required, prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the final inspection,
or the commencement of the use (pursuant to a Use Permit or other similar
permit), whichever occurs first.
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1. Regardless of whether a building permit is required, a structure, subject to
any permit, which has been vacant (as defined in 27-3.5(g.6)) shall be
assessed the Development Impact Fee based on the proposed use at the
time of permit issuance. No credit shall apply to such vacant structure.
2. Notwithstanding Section 27-3.5(d)(1), a structure for which the Development
Impact Fees have been paid shall not be considered vacant for the purposes
of the Fee and shall be assessed consistent with the provisions of subsection
27-3.11.
e. The City Council shall adopt a resolution or ordinance setting forth the specific
amount of the fee. The amount of the fee shall not exceed the estimated
reasonable cost of providing the facility, equipment, or improvement for which the
fee is imposed.
f. The City Council shall review the development impact fee annually following the
first deposit into the accounts established pursuant to subsection 27-3.6, and
shall identify the purpose of the fee, demonstrate a reasonable relationship
between the fee and the purpose for which it is charged; identify all sources and
amounts of funding anticipated to complete financing incomplete improvements
funded by the fee; designate the approximate dates on which the funding
referred to is expected to be deposited into the appropriate accounts; and adjust
the fee schedule if necessary.
Definitions. For the purposes of the Development Impact Fee, the following
definitions apply:
9.
1. Single Family Residential. Any residential development that consists of a
single residential unit (or units) on individual parcels.
2. Multifamily Residential. Any residential development that consists of more
than one residential unit on individual parcels.
3. Commercial or Office. Any building or portion of a building that is defined by
the California Building Code as an Assembly Group A, Business Group B,
Educational Group E, Institutional Group I. This category also includes Group
R-1, R-2, and R-4 buildings or portions of buildings designed for hotels,
motels, residential care facilities, congregate living health facilities and other
commercial developments that provide sleeping, eating, and/or other services
to temporary or permanent residents.
4. Retail. Any non-residential building or portion of a building that is defined by
the California Building Code as a Mercantile Group M.
5. Warehouse/Manufacturing. Any non-residential building or portion of a
building that is defined by the California Building Code as a Factory Industrial
Group F, High Hazard Group H, or Storage Group S.
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6. Vacant. For the purpose of this section, a non-residential property or a
multifamily residential property shall be deemed "vacant" during the two years
prior to the issuance of the building permit for a new structure, if the property
owners or property tenants failed to maintain an active business license for
the property during the entire two year period. For the purpose of a single
family home, the property is "vacant" if Alameda Municipal Power records do
not show energy usage consistent with occupancy of the building and/or
adjacent single family properties that were occupied during the two-year
period.
7. Improvement Plans. For the purpose of this section, "improvement plans"
shall be defined as a building permit to construct improvements on real
property which are designed to be occupied for the purpose of residential,
commercial, office, retail, or warehouse manufacturing use as defined in this
section.
8. Alameda Point. For the purposes of this section, "Alameda Point" is the area
covered by the Alameda Point Zoning Ordinance, adopted on February 4th,
2014, by the City.
27-3.6 Use of Development Impact Fee.
Development impact fee revenues shall be deposited in segregated accounts and all
interest earned on deposited fee revenues shall be used solely to:
a. Pay for the cost of providing the specified projects listed in Appendix B to the
Nexus Study. The projects are divided into four (4) categories: transportation;
parks and recreation; general public facilities; and public safety.
b. Reimburse the City for such projects if funds were advanced by City for such
projects from other sources to pay new development's share of such costs.
c. Fund reimbursement or refund under subsections 27-3.7 or 27-3.9.
d. Fund loans or transfers made in conformance with Government Code Section
66006(b)(1)(G).
e. The use of each component of the development impact fee is more specifically
set forth in the resolution or ordinance referenced in subsection 27-3.5(e)
establishing the amount of the fee and making certain findings.
27-3.7 Fee Credits and Reimbursements.
a. Application for Potential Fee Credit or Reimbursement. Absent a development
agreement or other contract with the City that specifically addresses fee credits
and reimbursements for development impact fees, an applicant may be eligible
for a credit against impact fees otherwise owed, in return for providing a public
facility to the City, only if the applicant submits a written application to the
Director of Public Works which establishes compliance with all of the following
requirements to the satisfaction of the Public Works Director:
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1 Describe the specified public improvements (or portion thereof) proposed to
be provided by the applicant, with a cross-reference to the description of the
specified public improvements. The applicant shall provide a design of the
specified public facility, which must be on the project list in Appendix B of the
Nexus Study.
2. Identify the estimated cost of providing the specified public improvements
(including construction, design, and/or land acquisition), as set forth in
Section 27-3.7 (c) for which the applicant is requesting credit.
3. Describe the development project or projects to which the fee credit is
requested to apply. The description shall be limited to all or a portion of the
development project for which specified public improvements are a condition
of approval.
4. Document that either: (A) the applicant is required, as a condition of approval
for the development project, to construct the specified public improvements;
or (B) the applicant requests to build one or more specified public
improvements which benefit the development project, and the Public Works
Director determines in writing prior to the commencement of construction that
it is in the City's best interests for the specified public improvements to be
built by the applicant.
5. To the extent that credit for land acquisition costs are requested, document
that: (A) the location of the land is advantageous to the public facility needs of
the city; and (B) the amount of credit for the land acquisition is equal to a
reasonable estimate of the fair market value of the land based upon either: (i)
documentation provided by the applicant to the City, or (ii) in the event that
the Public Works Director determines that the documentation provided by the
applicant does not provide a reasonable basis for determining the fair market
value of the land, the applicant shall pay for the costs of a property appraisal
by an expert selected by the Public Works Director which is qualified to
express an opinion as to the value of the property.
6. Provide a schedule of completion for the specified public improvements to be
built by the applicant, which ensures that the public improvements will be
completed concurrent with the development project or projects.
b. Timing of Application. The application for credit shall be submitted by the
applicant to the Public Works Director in accordance with the following timing
requirements: (1) to the extent that the applicant requests credit for design or
construction, the application shall be submitted concurrently with the submittal of
improvement plans or building permit; (2) to the extent that the applicant requests
credit for land dedication, the application shall be submitted prior to the
recordation of the final map or parcel map for the development project. The
applicant may submit a late application only if the applicant establishes, to the
satisfaction of the Public Works Director, that, in light of new or changed
circumstances, it is in the City's best interests to allow the late application.
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c. Amount of Potential Credit. In the event that the Public Works Director
determines that the applicant has submitted a timely application in compliance
with Section 27.3.7 (b) and it is in the City's best interest to allow the applicant to
provide the proposed specified public improvement, the applicant may be eligible
for a credit against fees otherwise owed in accordance with this section; provided
that the applicant enters into an agreement with the City which includes the
following essential terms:
1. The design of the specified public improvement is approved by the City.
2. The applicant agrees to provide the specified public improvement in return for
the credit to be allocated in accordance with the terms of the agreement and
this chapter.
3. The amount of credit available to the applicant shall not exceed the lesser of:
(A) the applicant's actual cost of providing the specified public facility, to be
evidenced by the submittal of written documentation to the satisfaction of the
Public Works Director, or (B) the estimated cost of providing the specified
public improvement, as identified in the project list on Appendix B of the
Nexus Study.
4. The amount of credit available to the applicant for land dedication shall be
equal to the amount identified in Section 27-3.7 (a) (5).
5. The applicant provides improvement security in a form and amount
acceptable to the City (e.g., construction bond).
6. The applicant identifies the development projects to which the credit will be
applied.
7. The credit may only be applied to fees which would otherwise be owed for the
fee category relevant to the specified improvement.
8. The timing of the proposed construction of the public improvement shall be no
later than the completion of the applicant's development project.
d. Request for Reimbursement. To the extent that the applicant has a balance of
credit available, the applicant may submit a written request for reimbursement to
the Public Works Director. The applicant may be entitled to potential
reimbursement from the City, but only if the applicant submits a written request to
the Public Works Director which meets the following requirements:
1. The request shall be made no later than 180 days after the later to occur of:
(A) issuance of the last permit within the development project for which the
application for credit was made, or (B) the date of the City's acceptance of the
specified public improvements as complete.
2. The request shall identify the specific dollar amount of the credit balance for
which the applicant requests reimbursement, along with documentation in
support thereof. This documentation shall include a calculation of the total
credit available (pursuant to Section 27-3.7 (c) (3)) less amount of credit
previously allocated to offset fees pursuant to Section 27-11.
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3. The request must include a designation of the name and address of the legal
entity to which reimbursement payments are to be made.
e. Allocation of Reimbursements.
1. In the event the Public Works Director determines that the applicant has
properly submitted a request for reimbursement pursuant to Section 27-
3.7(d), the Public Works Director and the Finance Director shall prepare a
written determination which will identify the dollar amount of the potential
reimbursement. The dollar amount of the reimbursement shall equal the
amount approved by the Public Works Director and the Finance Director (not
to exceed the actual credit available to the applicant), less the total of all
credit allocations to offset fees pursuant to Section 27-3.7 (c).
2. The City shall make reimbursement payments to the applicant (or the entity
identified by the applicant) pursuant to Section 27-3.7 (d). The right to receive
reimbursement payments, if any, shall not run with the land.
3. The City shall make reimbursement payments pursuant to a schedule to be
established by the Public Works Director and Finance Director, and
consistent with the approved capital improvement program. The City shall
make no reimbursements to any applicant in excess of the amount of fees
available in the relevant reimbursement account, as determined by the
Finance Director.
4. No reimbursement payment shall be made to an applicant until after the
completion of construction by the applicant and acceptance of improvements
by the City.
27-3.8 Fee Adjustments.
a. A developer of any project subject to the fee described in subsection 27-3.5 may
apply to the Public Works Director for a reduction or adjustment to the fee, or a
waiver of the fee, based upon the absence of any reasonable relationship or
nexus between the impacts of that development and the amount of fee charged
or the type of facilities to be financed. The application shall be made in writing
and filed with the Public Works Director no later than the time of the issuance of
a building permit authorizing construction of the project that is subject to the fee.
The application shall state completely and in detail both the applicant's factual
basis and legal theory for adjustment or waiver and compare its proposal with the
analysis set forth in the Nexus Study.
b. No building permit shall be issued prior to the payment of the fee, adjusted or
reduced fee, or the grant of a fee waiver. The applicant may elect to pay the full
fee under protest at the time of the submittal of the fee adjustment application in
order to obtain a building permit in advance of the determination of the fee
adjustment application. If the full fee is paid under protest and the application is
subsequently granted, then the applicant shall receive a refund in the amount of
the difference between the amount of the fee paid and the amount of the fee due
after the application of the adjustment, waiver or reduction.
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c. The Public Works Director shall consider the application and respond in writing
setting forth the reasons for the decision within thirty (30) days. The decision of
the Public Works Director is appealable pursuant to subsection 27-3.13.
d. If a reduction, adjustment, or waiver is granted, any change in use within the
project shall invalidate the waiver, adjustment or reduction of the fee.
e. The cost of an application for a reduction or adjustment to the fee or a waiver of
the fee shall be borne by the applicant in an amount established by Master Fee
Resolution or Ordinance of the City Council.
27-3.9 Refund of Fee.
a. If the development impact fee is paid and the building permit is later canceled or
voided, or if a use permit which triggers the application of the fee fails to vest
within the term of the use permit, the Public Works Director shall, upon written
request of the developer, order return of the fee and interest earned on it less
administrative costs if (1) the fees paid have not been committed as determined
by the Public Works Director and Finance Director; and (2) work on the private
development project has not progressed to a point that would permit
commencement of a new, changed or expanded use for which a fee would be
payable.
b. If the findings required by Government Code Section 66001(d) are not made, a
refund to the then owner of the property for which the fee was paid shall be made
pursuant to Government Code Section 66001.
27-3.10 Exemptions.
a. The development impact fee shall not be imposed upon a building permit for
remodeling or for an addition to an existing residential structure so long as the
remodeling or addition does not add a dwelling unit.
b. The development impact fee shall not be imposed upon a building permit for the
demolition of an existing structure and the construction of a new structure on the
same site, provided the demolished structure was not "vacant" (as defined in
Section 27-3.5(g)(6)) prior to the issuance of a building permit for the new
structure, and the size and use of the new structure is substantially similar to the
size and use of the demolished structure.
c. The development impact fee shall not be imposed on any alteration of a
nonresidential structure, where the square footage is not increased by more than
two hundred (200) square feet or ten (10) percent of the existing structure,
whichever is less, cumulatively over a two (2) year period, unless the alteration
includes an intensification of use such as a shift to a higher cost fee category.
27-3.11 Fee Offsets.
The amount of development impact fee shall be offset or adjusted to account for any
previously existing use, so long as the structure holding that use is not defined as
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"vacant" as specified in Section 27-3.5(g)(6). The offset shall consist of any difference
between the current applicable fee category and the fee category applicable to the
previously existing non "vacant" use, as defined in Section 27-3.5(g)(6). The offset for
existing use shall not exceed the amount computed for the proposed use.
27-3.12 Fee and Fee Escalators.
a. The development impact fees shall be:
Residential - Fee per Dwelling Unit
Single Family Unit
Multi-family Unit
Nonresidential - Fee per 1,000 Sg. Ft.
Retail
Commercial or Office
Warehouse or Manufacturing
$16,601
$13,140
$4,383
$4,892
$3,530
b. A resolution may provide for an annual increase in the amount of the fee to
reflect the percentage increase in the cost of construction or public improvements
as reported in the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for the San
Francisco Bay Area, or similar index if this one is not published.
c. The development impact fee may be adjusted from time to time, based upon
amendments or updates to the Nexus Study, to reflect extraordinary changes in
the cost of construction of any of the improvements listed in Appendix B of the
Nexus Study, changes in the levels of actual or projected development, or the
actual or estimated proportionate share of costs as determined by additional or
amended engineering analysis.
27-3.13 Appeal Procedure.
a. A decision of the Public Works Director or Finance Director pursuant to this
section shall be appealable in accordance with this subsection. A person seeking
review of a decision shall first complete an appeal under this subsection.
b. Any person wishing to appeal a decision of the Public Works Director shall file an
appeal to the City Council in writing pursuant to the Alameda Municipal Code not
later than ten (10) days from the date of the Public Works Director or Finance
Director's written decision. The written appeal shall state completely and in detail
the factual and legal grounds for the appeal.
c. The City Council shall consider the appeal pursuant to the Alameda Municpal
Code.
d. The decision of the City Council shall be final.
e. The cost of the appeal shall be borne by the applicant in an amount established
by the Master Fee Resolution of the City Council. The cost of an appeal from the
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decision of the Public Works Director to City Council shall be borne by the
applicant in the amount of a fee set forth in the Master Fee resolution of the City
Council.
27-4 ALAMEDA POINT DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES.
27-4.1 Authority.
This Section 27-4 of the Alameda Municipal Code may be referred to as the Alameda
Point Development Impact Fee Ordinance and is adopted pursuant to the police power
of the City and under Government Code Section 66000 et seq. (Mitigation Fee Act). All
words, phrases, and terms used in this section shall be interpreted in accordance with
the definitions set forth in the Mitigation Fee Act, unless otherwise specifically defined
herein.
27-4.2 Application.
This section applies to development impact fees charged as a condition of development
at Alameda Point to defray the cost of certain public improvements, services, and
amenities. The fees charged under this section do not replace or repeal any other fee or
charge levied pursuant to any section of the Alameda Municipal Code, nor do the fees
charged under this section replace any subdivision map exactions; other site-specific
mitigation measures or conditions; other regulatory, or processing fees, funding required
pursuant to a development agreement or other contract or reimbursement agreement or
special assessments, unless such charges, exactions or assessments relate to the
facilities funded pursuant to this section.
27-4.3 Intent and Purpose.
The intent and purpose of the Alameda Point Development Impact Fee is to provide for
the public improvements needed at Alameda Point as part of its redevelopment as more
specifically described in the Nexus Study and in the Master Infrastructure Plan for
Alameda Point.
27-4.4 Findings.
The City Council finds and declares:
a. The City provides and will provide public services and construct and maintain
public improvements for the benefit of residents, businesses and employees at
Alameda Point.
b. New development potential in the City has been made available by the
redevelopment of Alameda Point.
c. The anticipated residential and commercial development at Alameda Point will
generate an increase in the need for City services and the corresponding capital
facilities necessary to provide those services. New residential and new or
intensified commercial development will thus create an additional burden on the
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existing capital facilities and services. The required new capital facilities and
improvements are detailed in the Nexus Study and in the Master Infrastructure
Plan for Alameda Point.
d. If additional capital facilities and public services are not added as development
occurs, the existing facilities and services will not be adequate to serve the
community. This could result in adverse impacts, such as inadequate public
safety services, inadequate traffic safety and transportation improvements,
inadequate parks and recreation facilities, as well as inadequate other important
public improvements.
e. There is a reasonable relationship between the need and use of development
impact fee projects and new development. The current infrastructure is
inadequate for even current uses, and must be replaced or newly constructed for
new development to occur, as detailed in the Alameda Point Master
Infrastructure Plan.
1. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for transportation
projects and the type of development project on which the fee will be imposed
since new development at Alameda Point will increase trips on local, citywide,
and regional roads, leading to potential deterioration of service levels and the
need for more traffic signals, additional turn lanes, and other improvements.
The City's General Plan establishes a service standard for traffic congestion.
New development will lower the level of service unless improvements are
made. The resurfacing of streets and pathways ensures that both drivers and
pedestrians are safe from accidents resulting from cracks, potholes, and other
damage that occurs. New development also adds to the wear of city streets.
Further, there is a reasonable relationship between the need for the
transportation projects and the type of development project on which the fee
will be imposed since each new development project will add to the
incremental need for new roadway capacity, safety or replacement projects in
order to meet public safety standards.
2. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for parks and recreation
facilities and improvements and the type of development project on which the
fee will be imposed since new residents will use parks and recreational
facilities at Alameda Point. Further, there is a reasonable relationship
between the need for the parks and recreation projects and the type of
development project on which the fee will be imposed since current parks and
recreation service levels will fall if additional facilities and equipment are not
provided.
3. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for utility improvements,
including water, sewer, and storm drain, since new residential and
commercial development will result in new City residents and employees who
will demand and use utilities.
4. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for flood protection
facilities and the type of development project on which the fee will be imposed
to mitigate the risk of flooding and sea level rise to that development.
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5. There is a reasonable relationship between the need for public safety facilities
and improvements and the type of development project on which the fee will
be imposed since new development at Alameda Point will increase the need
for public safety improvements and other public facilities, including a new fire
station. Further, there is a reasonable relationship between the need for
public facilities and improvements and the type of development project on
which the fee will be imposed since current levels of public facility services
cannot be maintained if additional facilities and equipment are not provided to
serve new development at Alameda Point.
The determination of how there is a reasonable relationship between the use of
the development impact fee and the type of development project on which the
fee is imposed is set forth in more detail in the Nexus Study.
f. To prevent these undesirable consequences, and to reduce the impacts of new
development on capital facilities, equipment, and services, the City's capital
facilities must be constructed, and the City's public services must be provided at
a rate which will accommodate the expected growth at Alameda Point.
The development impact fees established by this section will be imposed upon
development projects for the purpose of mitigating the impact of the development
on the ability of the City to provide specified public improvements and services.
h. The City has caused to be prepared Willdan Financial's City of Alameda
Development Impact Fee Update and Nexus Study, dated June 2014 (Nexus
Study). The Nexus Study is on file with the City Clerk.
i. The Nexus Study identifies the development potential at Alameda Point and
identifies the categories of improvements required to serve and accommodate
new development.
The categories of facilities that will be funded by the Alameda Point Development
Impact Fee include flood protection facilities, transportation facilities, water
facilities, sanitary sewer facilities, storm drain facilities, dry utilities, parks and
open space, and public facilities. The capital facilities to be funded at Alameda
Point are needed to promote and protect the public health, safety and general
welfare within the City, to facilitate orderly urban development, to maintain
existing levels of service, and to promote economic and social well-being.
k. The City Council has relied upon the factual information, analysis, and
conclusions in the Nexus Study in adopting this section.
g.
27-4.5 Alameda Point Development Impact Fee Established.
a. A development impact fee is hereby established on development at Alameda
Point to pay for flood protection facilities, transportation facilities, water facilities,
sanitary sewer facilities, storm drain facilities, dry utilities, parks and open space,
and public facilities. The development impact fee shall be imposed upon all new,
or expanded existing, commercial development and on new residential
development and also upon use permits which intensify the use of existing
commercial or residential structures as set forth herein, except as provided in
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subsection 27-4.10 or a development agreement or other contractual agreement
with the City.
b. The improvements summarized by category in subsection 27-4.40) are listed
specifically in Appendix C to the Nexus Study and in the Master Infrastructure
Plan.
c. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 27-4.5(d) or subsection 27-4.7(a),
the development impact fee shall be paid or otherwise satisfied by each
developer prior to the issuance of building permit.
d. For development which intensifies the use of an existing non-vacant structure or
a structure for which the Development Impact Fee has not been paid, the fees
shall be payable prior to issuance of a building permit, or if no building permit is
required, prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the final inspection,
or the commencement of the use (pursuant to a Use Permit or other similar
permit), whichever occurs first.
1. Regardless of whether a building permit is required, a structure, subject to
any permit, which has been vacant (as defined in 27-4.5(g.3)) shall be
assessed the Development Impact Fee based on the proposed use at the
time of permit issuance. No credit shall apply to such vacant structure.
2. Notwithstanding Section 27-4.5(d.1), a structure for which the Development
Impact Fees have been paid shall not be considered vacant for the purposes
of the Fee and shall be assessed consistent with the provisions of subsection
27-4.11
e. The City Council shall adopt a resolution setting forth the specific amount of the
fee. The amount of the fee shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of
providing the facility for which the fee is imposed.
f. The City Council shall review the development impact fee annually following the
first deposit into the accounts established pursuant to subsection 27-4.6, and
shall identify the purpose of the fee, demonstrate a reasonable relationship
between the fee and the purpose for which it is charged; identify all sources and
amounts of funding anticipated to complete financing incomplete improvements
funded by the fee; designate the approximate dates on which the funding
referred to is expected to be deposited into the appropriate accounts; and adjust
the fee schedule if necessary.
Definitions. For the purposes of the Development Impact Fee, the following
definitions apply:
1. Residential/Mixed Use. Any development that consists of a residential unit
(or units) only, or residential unit (or units) and commercial development on a
single parcel.
2. Commercial. Any development on a parcel or parcels consisting solely of
non-residential uses. This category also includes buildings or portions of
buildings designed for hotels, motels, residential care facilities, congregate
g.
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living health facilities and other commercial developments that provide
sleeping, eating, and/or other services to temporary or permanent residents.
3. Vacant. For the purpose of this section, a non-residential property or a
multifamily residential property shall be deemed "vacant" during the five years
prior to the issuance of the building permit for a new structure, if the property
owners or property tenants failed to maintain an active business license for
the property during the entire five-year period. For the purpose of a single
family home, the property is "vacant" if Alameda Municipal Power records do
not show energy usage consistent with occupancy of the building and/or
adjacent single family properties that were occupied during the five- year
period.
4. Improvement Plans. For the purpose of this section, "improvement plans"
shall be defined as a building permit to construct improvements on real
property which are designed to be occupied for the purpose of residential,
commercial, office, retail, or warehouse manufacturing use as defined in this
section.
5. Alameda Point. For the purposes of this section, "Alameda Point" is the area
covered by the Alameda Point Zoning Ordinance, adopted on February 4th,
2014, by the Alameda City Council.
6. Master Infrastructure Plan for Alameda Point, or "MIP". For the purposes of
this section, the "Master Infrastructure Plan" or "MIP" is the document of that
name approved by the City Council on February 4th, 2014.
27-4.6 Use of Development Impact Fee.
Development impact fee revenues shall be deposited in segregated accounts and all
interest earned on deposited fee revenues shall be used solely to:
a. Pay for the cost of providing the specified projects listed in Appendix C to the
Nexus Study.
b. Reimburse the City for such projects if funds were advanced by City for such
projects from other sources to pay new development's share of such costs.
c. Fund reimbursement or refund under subsections 27-4.7 and 27-4.9.
d. Fund loans or transfers made in conformance with Government Code Section
66006(b)(1)(G).
e. The use of each component of the development impact fee is more specifically
set forth in the resolution referenced in subsection 27-4.5(e) establishing the
amount of the fee and making certain findings.
27-4.7 Fee Credits and Reimbursements.
a. Fee Credit or Reimbursement under a Development Agreement or other
contract. At the discretion of the City Manager, an applicant may construct public
improvements or make a payment under the terms of a development agreement
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or other contractual agreement with the City in lieu of part or all of the fees
otherwise owed under this section. All procedures for credit and reimbursement
shall be governed by the terms of said agreement.
b. Application for Potential Fee Credit or Reimbursement. Absent a development
agreement or other contract with the City that specifically addresses fee credits
and reimbursements for development impact fees, an applicant may be eligible
for a credit against impact fees otherwise owed, in return for providing a public
facility to the City, only if the applicant submits a written application to the City
Manager which establishes compliance with all of the following requirements to
the satisfaction of the City Manager:
1. Describe the specified public improvements (or portion thereof) proposed to
be provided by the applicant, with a cross-reference to the description of the
specified public improvements. The applicant shall provide a design of the
specified public facility, which must be listed in Appendix C of the Nexus
Study.
2. Identify the estimated cost of providing the specified public improvements
(including construction and design), as set forth in Section 27-4.7 (d) for
which the applicant is requesting credit.
3. Describe the development project or projects to which the fee credit is
requested to apply. The description shall be limited to all or a portion of the
development project for which specified public improvements are a condition
of approval.
4. Document that either: (A) the applicant is required, as a condition of approval
for the development project, to construct the specified public improvements;
or (B) the applicant requests to build one or more specified public
improvements which benefit the development project, and the City Manager
determines in writing prior to the commencement of construction that it is in
the City's best interests for the specified public improvements to be built by
the applicant.
5. Provide a schedule of completion for the specified public improvements to be
built by the applicant, which ensures that the public improvements will be
completed concurrent with the development project or projects.
c. Timing of Application. The application for credit shall be submitted by the
applicant to the City Manager in accordance with the following timing
requirement: to the extent that the applicant requests credit for design or
construction, the application shall be submitted concurrently with the submittal of
improvement plans or application for a building permit. The applicant may submit
a late application only if the applicant establishes, to the satisfaction of the City
Manager, that, in light of new or changed circumstances, it is in the City's best
interests to allow the late application.
d. Amount of Potential Credit. In the event that the City Manager determines that
the applicant has submitted a timely application in compliance with Section
27.4.7 (b) and that it is in the City's best interest to allow the applicant to provide
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the proposed specified public improvement, the applicant may be eligible to a
credit against fees otherwise owed in accordance with this section; provided that
the applicant enters into an agreement with the City which includes the following
essential terms:
1. The design of the specified public improvement is approved by the City.
2. The applicant agrees to provide the specified public improvement in return for
the credit to be allocated in accordance with the terms of the agreement and
this chapter.
3. The amount of credit available to the applicant shall not exceed the lesser of:
(A) the applicant's actual cost of providing the specified public facility, to be
evidenced by the submittal of written documentation to the satisfaction of the
City Manager, and (B) the estimated cost of providing the specified public
improvement, as identified in the Appendix C to the Nexus Study.
4. The applicant provides improvement security in a form and amount
acceptable to the City (e.g., construction bond).
5. The applicant identifies the development projects to which the credit will be
applied.
6. The credit may only be applied to fees which would otherwise be owed for the
fee category relevant to the specified improvement.
7. The timing of the proposed construction of the public improvement, which
shall be no later than the completion of the construction of the applicant's
development project.
e. Request for Reimbursement. To the extent that the applicant has a balance of
credit available, the applicant may submit a written request for reimbursement to
the City Manager. The applicant may be entitled to potential reimbursement from
the City, but only if the applicant submits a written request to the City Manager
which meets the following requirements:
1. The request shall be made no later than 180 days after the later to occur of:
(A) issuance of the last permit within the development project for which the
application for credit was made, or (B) the date of the City's acceptance of the
specified public improvements as complete.
2. The request shall identify the specific dollar amount of the credit balance for
which the applicant requests reimbursement, along with documentation in
support thereof. This documentation shall include a calculation of the total
credit available (pursuant to Section 27-4.7 (d) (3)) less amount of credit
previously allocated to offset fees pursuant to Section 27-4.11.
3. The request must include a designation of the name and address of the legal
entity to which reimbursement payments are to be made.
f. Allocation of Reimbursements.
1. In the event the City Manager determines that the applicant has properly
submitted a request for reimbursement pursuant to Section 27-4.7 (e), the
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City Manager shall prepare a written determination which will identify the
dollar amount of the potential reimbursement. The dollar amount of the
reimbursement shall equal the amount approved by the City Manager (not to
exceed the actual credit available to the applicant), less the total of all credit
allocations to offset fees pursuant to Section 27-4.7 (d).
2. The City shall make reimbursement payments to the applicant (or the entity
identified by the applicant) pursuant to Section 27-4.7 (e). The right to receive
reimbursement payments, if any, shall not run with the land.
3. The City shall make reimbursement payments pursuant to a schedule to be
established by the City Manager, and consistent with the approved capital
improvement program. The City shall make no reimbursements to any
applicant in excess of the amount of fees available in the relevant
reimbursement account.
4. No reimbursement payment shall be made to an applicant until after the
completion of construction by the applicant and acceptance of improvements
by the City.
27-4.8 Fee Adjustments.
a. A developer of any project subject to the fee described in subsection 27-4.5 may
apply to the City Manager for a reduction or adjustment to the fee, or a waiver of
the fee, based upon the absence of any reasonable relationship or nexus
between the impacts of that development and the amount of fee charged or the
type of facilities to be financed. The application shall be made in writing and filed
with the City Manager no later than the time of the issuance of a building permit
authorizing construction of the project that is subject to the fee. The application
shall state completely and in detail both the applicant's factual basis and legal
theory for adjustment or waiver and compare its proposal with the analysis set
forth in the Nexus Study.
b. No building permit shall be issued prior to the payment of the fee, adjusted or
reduced fee, or the grant of a fee waiver. The applicant may elect to pay the full
fee under protest at the time of the submittal of the fee adjustment application in
order to obtain a building permit in advance of the determination of the fee
adjustment application. If the full fee is paid under protest and the application is
subsequently granted, then the applicant shall receive a refund in the amount of
the difference between the amount of the fee paid and the amount of the fee due
after the application of the adjustment, waiver or reduction.
c. The City Manager shall consider the application and respond in writing setting
forth the reasons for the decision within thirty (30) days. The decision of the City
Manager is appealable pursuant to subsection 27-4.13.
d. If a reduction, adjustment, or waiver is granted, any change in use within the
project shall invalidate the waiver, adjustment or reduction of the fee.
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e. The cost of an application for a reduction or adjustment to the fee or a waiver of
the fee shall be borne by the applicant in an amount established by the Master
Fee Resolution of the City Council.
27-4.9 Refund of Fee.
a. If the development impact fee is paid and the building permit is later canceled or
voided, or if a use permit which triggers the application of the fee fails to vest
within the term of the use permit, the City Manager shall, upon written request of
the developer, order return of the fee and interest earned on it less administrative
costs if (1) the fees paid have not been committed as determined by the City
Manager; and (2) work on the private development project has not progressed to
a point that would permit commencement of a new, changed or expanded use for
which a fee would be payable.
b. If the findings required by Government Code Section 66001(d) are not made, a
refund to the then owner of the property for which the fee was paid shall be made
pursuant to Government Code Section 66001.
27-4.10 Exemptions.
a. The development impact fee shall not be imposed upon a building permit for
remodeling on a parcel that has already paid fees due under this section.
b. The development impact fee shall not be imposed upon a building permit for the
demolition of an existing structure and the construction of a new structure on the
same site, provided the parcel on which the structure is constructed already paid
the fee due under this section.
27-4.11 Fee Offsets.
The amount of development impact fee shall be offset or adjusted to account for any
previously existing use, so long as the structure holding that use previously paid impact
fees under this section. The offset shall consist of any difference between the current
applicable fee category and the fee category applicable to the previously existing use.
The offset for existing use shall not exceed the amount computed for the proposed use.
27-4.12 Fee and Fee Escalators.
a. The development impact fee for residential or mixed use is $987,966 per acre,
and for commercial use is $859,810 per acre.
b. A resolution may provide for an annual increase in the amount of the fee to
reflect the percentage increase in the cost of construction or public improvements
as reported in the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for the San
Francisco Bay Area, or similar index if this one is not published.
c. The development impact fee may be adjusted from time to time, based upon
amendments or updates to the Nexus Study, to reflect extraordinary changes in
the cost of construction of any of the improvements listed in Appendix C of the
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Nexus Study, changes in the levels of actual or projected development, or the
actual or estimated proportionate share of costs as determined by additional or
amended engineering analysis.
27-4.13 Appeal Procedure.
a. A decision of the City Manager pursuant to this Section shall be appealable in
accordance with this subsection. A person seeking review of a decision shall first
complete an appeal under this subsection.
b. Any person wishing to appeal a decision of the City Manager shall file an appeal
to the City Council in writing pursuant to the Alameda Municipal Code not later
than ten (10) days from the date of the City Manager's written decision. The
written appeal shall state completely and in detail the factual and legal grounds
for the appeal.
c. The City Council shall consider the appeal pursuant to the Alameda Municipal
Code.
d. The decision of the City Council shall be final.
e. The cost of the appeal shall be borne by the applicant in an amount established
by the Master Fee Resolution of the City Council. The cost of an appeal from the
decision of the City Manager to City Council shall be borne by the applicant in the
amount of a fee set forth in the Master Fee resolution of the City Council.
This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the expiration of sixty (60)
days from the date of its final passage.
Presiding Officer of the City Council
Attest:
Lev,
Lara Weisiger,Cit Clerk
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I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by Council of the City of Alameda in regular meeting
assembled on the 15th day of July, 2014, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Chen, Daysog, Ezzy Ashcraft, Tam and
Mayor Gilmore — 5.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official
seal of said City this 16th day of July, 2014.
(61A 6:t
Lara Weisiger, Ci
City of Alameda
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