HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-09-11; City Council; 21006; Impact Fee Deferral ReportCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL 8
AB# 21.006 DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE
DEFERRAL REPORT
DEPT. DIRECTOR
^— MTG. 9/11/12 DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE
DEFERRAL REPORT CITY ATTORNEY K<,
DEPT. CED
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE
DEFERRAL REPORT CITY MANAGER kA-^
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive the report regarding the deferral of development impact fees and direct the city attorney to
return with implementing documents.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
Development impact fees are imposed by the City on new development for the purpose of funding the
construction of various public facilities. Fees are required by ordinances, resolutions, or policies of the
City Council. They are generally collected at the time of final map recordation, grading permit issuance,
or building permit issuance for all development projects.
The Building Industry Association of San Diego (BIA) has requested that the City consider developing
and implementing a development impact fee deferral program to assist new construction and to
encourage economic development during the current economic climate.
At the May 15, 2012 City Council workshop, staff provided information in the form of a detailed
memorandum relative to the issues associated with the proposed development impact fee deferral
program (Exhibit 1). The memorandum included an overview of the BlA's request, a description of the
types of development impact fees typically paid in Carlsbad, an overview of the state law regulating
development impact fees, an overview of the programs other San Diego County cities have
implemented, and an analysis of the pros and cons of implementing a deferral program in Carlsbad.
Information was also provided by the BIA and its staff. Additionally, other members of the development
community provided additional comments. At the workshop, staff was directed to return to the City
Council with a recommendation on which development impact fees couid reasonably be considered for
deferral and, after input from the City Council on that issue, to develop ordinance amendments for future
City Council consideration that would allow for the deferral of the recommended development impact
fees.
It is important to note that the contemplated development impact fee deferral program represents a
significant departure from long-established policy and practice of the city. Since the adoption of the
city's Growth Management Program in 1986, it has been the standard practice of the city to require that
adequate public facilities, sen/ices, and improvements meeting city standards are available concurrently
with the need created by new development. To guarantee that this standard is met, current city
ordinances require that all development impact fees be paid prior to issuance of a building permit. This
helps ensure that adequate funds will be available to construct needed public facilities, services, and
improvements in a timely manner concurrent with the need created by new development. In addition,
implementation of a new development impact fee deferral program will require significant staff resources
and time to complete the necessary amendments to city ordinances, implement changes to the city's
permit tracking computer software to accommodate the new fee program, changes to standard staff
operating procedures, and re-training of appropriate development counter staff.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Mike Peterson 760-602-2721 mike.peterson(a>carlsbadca.gov
FOR CITY CLERKS USE ONLY.
COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED •
DENIED •
CONTINUED •
WITHDRAWN •
AMENDED •
CONTINUED TO DATE SPECIFIC
CONTINUED TO DATE UNKNOWN
RETURNED TO STAFF
OTHER-SEE MINUTES
COUNCIL RECEIVED THE
REPORT/PRESENTATON
• _
•
•
•
Council also directed the City Attomey to return with implementing
documents
Page 2
As directed by City Council at their May 2012 workshop, staff has compiled the list of development
impact fees and has identified which of these impact fees might be appropriate for deferral consideration
(Exhibit 2). The development impact fees recommended for deferral consideration have been identified
as such as the impact which the particular fee is intended to mitigate does not generally occur until the
construction is actually completed. Staff is recommending that the City Council consider deferring the
following development impact fees:
Park In Lieu - Utilized for the development and construction of new or the rehabilitation of existing
public park and recreational facilities.
Local Facilities Management Plan - Utilized for the construction of improvements or facilities
identified in a local facilities management plan and which are not otherwise financed by any other
fee.
Traffic Impact - Utilized to construct or finance various circulation road improvements.
Master Drainage (PLDA) - Utilized for constructing planned local drainage facilities.
Sewer Connection - Utilized for the construction of improvements to the sewer system.
Sewer Capacity & Benefit Area - Utilized for the construction of improvements to the sewer
system.
Housing Impact & In Lieu - Utilized for the affordable housing needs of lower-income households.
In addition to the development impact fees recommended for deferral consideration, staff has also
identified some key elements that staff would recommend be included as part of the fee deferral
program that staff will bring forward for City Council consideration at a later date. The proposed
ordinance amendments would allow a developer the option to defer specific identified development
impact fees from the final map recordation, grading permit issuance, or building permit issuance stage,
to the request for final building inspection stage. The development impact fee deferral program would
only be available to the following types of projects and under the following conditions:
• Residential projects of five or more dwelling units.
• New commercial, office, or industrial buildings or building additions (but not Tl's).
• All deferred fees shall be paid prior to requesting a final inspection for each individual building
permit.
• Fees shall be calculated and paid at an amount based on the City Council adopted fee
schedule in effect at the time of requesting a final inspection.
• This development impact fee deferral program would sunset two years from the effective date
of the new ordinances, unless extended by action of the City Council.
• Would apply only to the development impact fees recommended.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Implementation of the contemplated development impact fee deferral program will delay the actual
collection of fees which could impact the city's ability to ensure that adequate funds will be available to
construct needed public facilities, services, and improvements in a timely manner concurrent with the
need created by new development. Additional costs will also be incurred relative to completing
amendments to city ordinances, implementing changes to the city's permit tracking computer software,
changes to standard staff operating procedures, and re-training of appropriate development counter
staff. These additional costs cannot be estimated at this time.
Page 3
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21065, this action does not constitute a "project" within the
meaning of CEQA in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment,
or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, and therefore does not require
environmental review.
EXHIBITS:
1. BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees Memo
2. City of Carlsbad Development Impact Fee List
3
<^0^ CITY OF
^ CARLSBAD
EXHIBIT 1
Memorandum
March 7, 2012
To: Lisa Hildabrand, City Manager
From: Gary T. Barberio, Community and Economic Development Directorf
Re: BIA REQUEST TO DEFER IMPACT FEES
Overview. The Building Industry Association (BIA) has requested local governments across
California consider measures it believes will stimulate construction activity. Among these
measures is the deferral of payment of development impact fees for both residential and non-
residential projects. In Carlsbad and many cities, impact fees are generally paid before a final
map is recorded or a building permit is Issued. These fees are used to cover the cost that growth
will have on public infrastructure.
In the attached August 2009 position paper, "Making the Case for Development Impact Fee
Deferrals/' the BIA recommends that jurisdictions, instead of collecting fees prior to final map
recordation or permit issuance, delay collection until the end of construction. This means fees
would be collected before final inspection or certificate of occupancy. Doing so, the BIA notes,
allows builders to eliminate financing the impact fees and avoid paying interest while building is
underway, which in turn would help stimulate the economy and create jobs. Depending on a
project's size and complexity, the impact fees charged can range from several thousand to
hundreds of thousands of dollars and the deferral period (length of construction) can vary from
several months to well over a year.
This memo considers the development impact fees Carlsbad charges and how and when it
requires and collects them. Along with examples of fees collected for different projects, the
memo reports lengths of time fee payment would be delayed if collection were changed from
final map or building permit issuance to final inspection. Also provided are the relevant sections
of state law and other cities' experiences with deferring fees. Finally, the memo concludes with
a recommendation. In addition to the BIA position paper, attachments include (1) a detailed
breakdown of development impact fees for a variety of projects, (2) a bullet point list of points
and counterpoints summarizing the merits of deferring Impact fees or maintaining the current
fee collection system, and (3) a former City of Vista council policy adopted to stimulate
commercial development.
Types of Fees Carisbad Developers Pay. Fees charged developers may be separated into the
following three categories:
o Development-related service fees are charged to recover the cost of staff time and
materials spent reviewing applications, performing inspections, etc.
Community & Economic Development
1635 Faraday Ave. I Carlsbad, CA 92008 760-602-2710 760-602-8560 fax
City Manager
March 7, 2012
BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees
Page 2
o Miscellaneous fees include state-mandated fees, "pass-throughs" (e.g., fees collected
by the city on behalf of another agency), and costs related to the purchase of
equipment installed during construction, such as water meters.
o Development impact fees are payments made to cover the cost of mitigating the
impacts that growth will have on city infrastructure.
Only development impact fees, the third fee category, are the subject of BlA's request.
Development impact fees are defined and identified in the city's Master Fee Schedule, the latest
of which was adopted with the FY 2011-12 Budget. Carlsbad's development impact fees, per the
Schedule, are listed below.
Table 1 - Development Impact Fees
• Assessment District
• Bridge and
Thoroughfare District
• Community Facilities
District
• Habitat In Lieu
Mitigation
• License Tax on New
Construction
• Local Facilities
Management Plan (LFMP)
• Master drainage ("PLDA")
• Park (per LFMP)
• Quimby Act ("Park In Lieu")
• Public Facilities
• Sewer Benefit Area
• Traffic Impact/Sidewalk
• Water, reclaimed water, and
sewer connection
Other fees not identified in the Master Fee Schedule as development impact fees could also be
considered for deferment. These include affordable housing fees (impact, in lieu, and credits),
and agricultural conversion mitigation fees, both of which are paid before maps are recorded or
permits are issued.
Fees collected to offset habitat loses include the Habitat In Lieu Mitigation fee listed in Table 1.
Developers may also need to establish endowments for management and maintenance of
habitat they need to preserve. Staff believes it is critical these fees and costs remain developer
obligations to satisfy before a final map is recorded or a grading permit is issued. To do so
otherwise would create CEQA and HMP/lmplementation Agreement compliance issues.
Fee Amounts Carlsbad Developers Pay. Development impact fees vary due to project location,
land use, valuation, and other particulars. Further, not all impact fees are paid by all projects.
For example, while many projects pay Traffic Impact fees and sewer and water connection fees,
many do not pay fees related to Bridge and Thoroughfare Districts or Park In Lieu because of
their location or type of construction.
The variable nature of impact fees, in combination with less robust construction activity over
the past several years, makes identifying a representative average fee difficult. However, the
following table shows ranges of development impact fees paid at building permit issuance for
City Manager
March 7, 2012
BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees
Page 3
three types of construction in Carlsbad. Only the fees listed jn Table 1 above are reflected; more
details can be found In Attachment 1.
Table 2 - Range of Development Impact Fees Paid
Type of Development Projects
Surveyed
Year Building
Permit Issued
Range of Development Impact
Fees Paid
Single family home 4 2010 $20,143-$38,860
Commercial building 4 2010, 2011 $17,022 - $1,306,286
Industrial building 3 2009, 2010 $54,609 - $566,838
Application of Fees and Timing of Fee Collection. Development impact and other fees are
applied as conditions of approval to discretionary actions (e.g., the approval ofthe Hilton Hotel)
or ministerial permits (e.g., a building permit for a single family home). The City currently
requires payment of development impact fees before the recordation of a final map (necessary
before grading permits are issued) or the issuance of a building permit. Payment of fees by
these milestones is generally mandated by ordinance. Whether these fees are paid prior to
recording ofthe final map or issuance ofthe building permit is explained below:
Table 3 - Timing of Fee Collection
Fees Paid before Final Map
Recordation
Fees Paid before Building Permit
Issuance
• Park In Lieu
• Habitat Management Plan in Lieu
Mitigation
• Other fees paid at this stage:
o Agricultural Conversion
Mitigation Fees
o Habitat Endowments
• All other fees identified in Table 1
• Other fees paid at this stage:
o Affordable Housing Fees
If a project does not require a final map, fees typically paid before final map recordation are
instead collected before issuance of a building permit. If grading is required, some development
impact fees and "other fees or costs" identified below Table 1 may also be collected before the
developer pulls a grading permit. For example, if not collected before final map recordation,
fees mitigating destruction of habitat and conversion of agricultural lands would be collected
before a grading permit is Issued.
Carlsbad's development regulations and conditioning of projects recognize collection of
development Impact fees before a map is recorded or a building permit is issued. The city's
permit tracking software and its overall review and permit procedures recognize and support
this longstanding system.
Construction Time Frames. If development impact fees were deferred from final map
recordation or building permit issuance to final inspection, how long would the deferment
City Manager
March 7, 2012
BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees
Page 4
typically last? Based on the three different projects below, the deferment from final map
recordation would vary from several months to over two years.
Table 4 -Construction Time Frames for Select Projects
Project • Final Map
Recorded
• Building Permit
Issued
< Final Inspection
Approved Total Time
One single family
dwelling at The Tides
> May 2011 > August 2011 > December 2011 ±7 months
One single family
dwelling at Blossom
Grove (Robertson
Ranch)
> April 2008 > January 2010 > October 2010 ±30 months
Hilton Hotel > N/A > March 2011 > June 2012 (est) ±15 months
Focusing solely on the timeframe between building permit issuance (when the bulk of fees are
collected) to final inspection, the table below shows how many months elapsed for different
types of development over the past 12 years.
Table 5 - Construction Time Frames in Carlsbad, 2000 - 2011
Type of
Development
Time from Building Permit to Final Inspection
(In months, with year noted)
Type of
Development
Low High Average
Single family
dwelling
6.5 (2000) 13(2007) 9.5
Apartment 7 (2000) 23 (2006) 13
Commercial
building
7 (2000) 15 (2008) 12
Industrial
building
9 (2000) 22.5 (2010) 13
Overall average, a 1 development types: 9.5 months
Once a permit is pulled, the time it takes to construct a building is determined by the builder
and the complexity ofthe development. While the city performs multiple inspections during the
course of construction, by ordinance a building permit remains active as long as an Inspection is
performed at least once every six months.
State Law. Government Code Section 66000 et seq. regulates the charging of development
impact fees and defines their purpose as "... defraying all or a portion ofthe cost of public
facilities related to the development project " Section 66000(d) states "public facilities.
includes public improvements, public services, and community amenities."
For residential projects only. Section 66007(a) states jurisdictions shall not require payment of
development impact fees until the date of final inspection or certificate of occupancy.
1
City Manager
March 7, 2012
BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees
Page 5
whichever occurs first. Section 66007(g) further clarifies that local agencies may defer fee
collection up to the close of escrow. However, Section 66007(b) allows agencies to charge fees
at an earlier time if the fees (1) reimburse the local agency for expenditures previously made or
(2) are for improvements for which an account has been established, funds have been
appropriated and a proposed construction schedule or plan has been adopted.
Carlsbad can collect development Impact fees prior to final map recordation or building permit
issuance because the fees it collects either reimburse the city for previous expenditures or fund
Improvements planned and scheduled through its annual Capital Improvement Program
Budget.
Impact Fee Deferral in Other Cities. According to the August 2009 BIA position paper on the
subject, more than 80 California jurisdictions. Including several in San Diego County, allow fee
deferrals and other stimulus measures. In its research, Carlsbad staff contacted Chula Vista,
Encinitas, Escondido, and Vista to help determine what experience, if any, these cities had with
deferring impact fees, and, if so, whether deferral (1) appeared to stimulate development and
(2) created any problems. Below are the results of our conversations with each city's staff.
o Chula Vista. In 2008, Chula Vista gave applicants the option to defer the bulk of
development impact fees by entering into an agreement with the city. The city recorded the
agreement against the property as a lien and released it upon payment of fees.
In late 2010, responding to BIA concerns regarding the costs and time associated with
processing the deferral agreements, Chula Vista approved an ordinance that delayed the
trigger for the bulk of development fees from building permit issuance to final inspection.
The ordinance has a sunset clause of December 31, 2012; unless the ordinance is extended
because of economic conditions, deadlines for payment of fees will revert to prior to
building permit or final map approval.
Chula Vista's ordinance does permit the City Manager to collect fees at an earlier time upon
a change of property ownership, a determination that a risk exists with fee collection at a
date later than permit issuance, or upon a determination that fees are necessary based on
an adopted facilities program in accordance with state law.
Chula Vista staff comments on the deferral of impact fees follow:
• Deferral has not had a significant impact on construction activity;
• Potential impacts to the city's cash flow due to delaying fee payment has been
insignificant because development has been light;
• Deferral has actually backfired on a few builders since the amount of development
impact fees automatically adjusts for inflation every October and the amount due
under the deferral program Is the amount of the fee when actually paid;
City Manager
March 7, 2012
BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees
Page 6
• The cit/s permit tracking software erroneously identified one project as "finaled"
before fees were paid; fortunately, the problem was caught early and impact fees
were collected; and
• Overall, Chula Vista indicated no significant issues with delaying fee payment to final
inspection.
o Encinitas. According to city staff, Encinitas allows payment prior to final inspection of all but
two of its impact fees. The two impact fees, flood control and fire mitigation, are collected
at building permit issuance because that is when the impacts they offset - creation of
impervious surfaces such as concrete and placement of flammable building materials -
begin to occur. Although city regulations on when fees are collected address or are
oriented to residential development, as a matter of practice the city allows payment prior to
final Inspection for non-residential projects as well.
Priorto scheduling a final inspection, departments sign a form (a "blue card") indicating the
fees they administer have been paid. It is the responsibility ofthe developer seeking the
final inspection to request the required signatures from each department. The Building
Division will schedule a final inspection only upon receipt of a completed form.
Payment of impact fees at final inspection in Encinitas is not new; in fact, words such as
"deferral" and "delay" do not appear in relevant city ordinances. The city passed an
ordinance allowing for fee collection at final inspection soon after its 1986 incorporation.
Because of its long and routine history of collecting impact fees at final inspection and the
city's lack of transition from an earlier to later fee collection point In the building process, it
is difficult to determine if collecting fees at final inspection has favorably impacted
development activity. Comments from Encinitas staff in this regard are inconclusive.
r
For residential projects of more than one unit, Encinitas ordinances also permit impact fees
forthe construction of public improvements or facilities to be satisfied on a pro-rata basis
for each dwelling when the dwelling receives its final occupancy. Further, standards also
recognize the city's right to collect fees earlier than final inspection as permitted by the
state law described above.
As with Chula Vista, Encinitas identified no significant problems with allowing payment of
impact fees at final inspection.
o Escondido. The city has no ordinance addressing deferral of development impact fees.
According to staff, fee deferral has been permitted only through development agreements
approved by the City Council.
o Vista. Through last year. Vista had a formal council policy to spur commercial development,
Including deferral of traffic impact fees and other, broader economic incentives available to
select projects (Policy 500-1, "Vista Economic Stimulus Package," attached). Vista staff
City Manager
March 7, 2012
BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees
Page 7
believes the policy was unsuccessful in spurring construction. As explained below, Vista's
experience provides worthwhile information.
In August 2008, the Vista City Council adopted Policy 500-01 to improve the overall
economy for residents and businesses within the city. Along with the policy, the council also
approved an ordinance amendment enabling development impact fees to be collected "in
accordance with written policies adopted by the City Council." Previous wording required
fees to be collected at the time of building permit issuance only. The program was put into
place at the request of Vista's former redevelopment director, who wanted to spur
development.
The policy, which expired last year and was not renewed, applied only to new commercial
development. Its benefits ranged from limited to expansive depending on project location
and type. For all new commercial construction regardless of location and type, the policy
made only one benefit available: deferral of traffic impact fees for three years after
occupancy. Regular payments toward the fee were required based on certain milestones,
such as upon receiving certificate of occupancy. Payments due after occupancy were to be
secured by the property; non-payment of fees would be recorded as a tax lien against the
property.
For specific projects, reduced or eliminated traffic impact fees (in addition to deferral) and
off-site improvements and permit fast tracking were among the additional incentives the
formal policy offered. Specific projects benefitting from these Incentives included those
within and positively impacting the Vista Redevelopment Area and new uses such as auto
dealerships and restaurants that generate sales tax and create local jobs. Another specific
project example included developments that could demonstrate a "payback" over three
years, through sales tax and property tax/tax increment, of reduced or eliminated offsite
construction requirements. In ail cases, fee payment over time applied only if fees were not
immediately necessary due to construction timing.
In Vista staffs opinion, the Council's formal policy did not encourage development
(construction remained light during the policy term), and only one project took advantage
of its provisions. Unfortunately, that one project, allowed by the policy to repay its traffic
impact fee over a three year period after opening, is now unable to make the payments due
to lack of anticipated business. To complicate matters. Vista is the leaseholder through its
redevelopment agency.
Recommendation
Attachment 2 summarizes in a point/counterpoint fashion several considerations regarding the
deferral of development impact fees. As the attachment and this memo report, Carlsbad's
current practices ensure collection of development impact fees before construction begins.
Only if a developer has paid the necessary funds can construction begin. While safeguards can
ID
City Manager
March 7, 2012
BIA Request to Defer Impact Fees
Page 8
be put in place, risk remains if fees are instead collected at the end of construction.
Furthermore, the experience of cities surveyed suggests that collecting fees prior to final
inspection has had a neutral effect and has not accomplished the benefits promoted by the BIA,
such as increased construction activity and fee revenues.
Therefore, staff recommends against revising Carlsbad's current regulations and procedures to
collect development impact fees before final inspection. Instead, the city's current system of
collecting impact fees prior to recording a map or issuing a building permit should be
maintained. Simply put, the potential and slight benefits of deferring development impact fee
collection do not appear worth the possible risk.
If it is the desire to further study or implement fee deferral in Carlsbad, staff recommends the
following considerations:
• As a first step, determine the modifications necessary to the current method of
applying, tracking, and collecting impact fees before building permits are issued. This
will require software enhancements, staff retraining, and an extra step in the permit and
inspection process to ensure fees are collected in a timely, complete fashion.
• Amend the Municipal Code to provide the option of either collecting fees as per current
deadlines (prior to recording of a final map/issuing of a building permit) or according to
City Council Policy. This policy could establish Council's preferences, including how to
apply fee deferral to approved, unbuilt projects. A policy would be more easily modified
than an ordinance.
• Under a Council Policy, consider allowing Impact fee deferral based on certain
parameters and at staff's discretion. Staff could then allow deferral for only certain
projects that are important to the city, are being constructed by experienced
developers, etc.
• Whether fee deferral is allowed by policy or ordinance, include provisions to sunset or
suspend the practice if conditions warrant and as determined by the City Council.
• Do not defer impact fees for impacts created immediately upon construction, such as
habitat clearing.
GTB:SD:lt
Attachments
1. Details of development impact fees paid for select projects
2. Considerations regarding deferral of development impact fees
3. "Making the Case for Development Impact Fee Deferrals," BIA, August 2009
4. City of Vista City Council Policy 500-1, "Vista Economic Stimulus Package"
Attachment 1
Development Impact Fees Paid for Select Projects*
Type of Development Quadrant Fees Paid Year permit issued
Residential
Single family dwelling (2,700 square feet (sf)) NW $20,143 2009
Single family dwelling (3,600 sf) SW $38,860 2010
Single family dwelling (3,950 sf) $20,231 2010
Single family dwelling (2,822 sf) NE $20,818 2010
Commercial
Hilton Hotel SW $1,306,286 2011
Daybreak Church expansion SE $17,022 2010
Bressi Ranch shopping center building SE $120,625 2010
Grand Pacific Resort timeshare building NW $111,526 2010
Industrial
Isis Pharmaceuticals (shell) NE $566,838 2010' ^
Isis Pharmaceuticals (Tl) NE $352,864 2010
Magellan Aviation NW $54,609 2009
*Notes:
• Listings in /ta//cs feature expanded fee details below
• As a religious institution. Daybreak Church is exempt from paying Public Facilities Fees
» ''Shell" is a building before a "Tl'' (tenant improvement) is completed
Expanded Description of Development Impact Fees
Development Impact Fee Type of Development Development Impact Fee
3,600 sf home* Hilton Hotel Isis Pharmaceuticals
(Shell)
Assessment District --
Bridge and Thoroughfare
Districts (1, 2, and 3)
$15,130 --
Community Facilities Dist. $2,865.28 $270,068.70 $131,052.61
Habitat In Lieu Mitigation ---
License Tax ---
Local Facilities
Management Plan (LFMP)
---
Master Drainage -$70,084.44
Park In Lieu $5,728 --
Park (per LFMP) -$68,335
Public Facilities $6,902.86 $316,681.60 $106,727.67
Sewer Benefit Area -
-• Traffic Impact/Sidewalk $2,286.80 $373,563.48 $76,586.72
Water, reclaimed water,
and sewer connection
$5,947 $275,887.40 $184,135.52
TOTAL $38,859.94 $1,306,285.62 $566,837.72
*Note: Home fees listed do not reflect payment of a $12,250 Housing Credit Fee
Attachment 2
Deferral of Develo pment Impact Fees
Point Counterpoint
• Carlsbad may be seen as taking a pro-active
step to stimulate construction
• Based on cities surveyed, fee deferral has
minimal if any impact on construction activity
• Deferring fees may reduce developer costs • Minimal cost savings may occur if actual fees
paid reflect adjustments for inflation
• The city may realize a loss of interest • Loss may be offset if actual fees paid reflect
adjustments for inflation
• Chula Vista and Encinitas cited no significant
issues with collecting fees at final inspection
• Vista noted a use unable to pay a deferred fee
due to lack of anticipated business
• If collection is an issue, deferral may place the
city between a developer and an anxious
homebuyer or business owner
• The current requirement of collecting fees
before building permit:
• Assures fees are collected before
construction occurs
* Provides the city greater control
* Eliminates concern about the inability to
pay some or all of fees due should the
developer encounter financial difficulties
• Avoids the potential of derelict buildings
due to a builder's inability to pay fees and
obtain a final inspection
• Deferring fees leaves little or no opportunity
to correct missed or underpaid fees
• Various options exist to help assure payment
of deferred fees: (1) No scheduling of final
inspections until fees are paid; (2) Require the
developer to obtain acknowledgment of fee
payment before scheduling the inspection,
and; (3) Record an agreement against property
as a lien and release it only if fees are paid
• Deferred fees would be paid at a time closest
to impact (e.g., traffic impacts attributed to a
use do not occur until that use is occupied)
• Triggers to pay fees earlier could be required if
necessary based on ownership change or risk
as done in Chula Vista
• If construction activity increases, fee deferral
may be unnecessary
• Fee deferral regulations could be temporary
and, if conditions warrant, renewable
• Deferral could extend to fees other than
those identified as "development impact
fees" in Table 1; the decision to do so could
be discretionary
• As a general rule, fees should be collected
before the impact occurs
• Deferral of HMP-related fees could hinder
HMP and CEQA compliance and result in
uncompensated habitat loss
• Affordable housing fees are likely not
considered development impact fees per state
law since such housing is not a "public facility"
per Government Code Section 66000(d)
• Allowing fee deferral would require: (1)
amendment to the Municipal Code; (2)
revisions to standard findings and conditions,
and; (3) determinations about how to apply
deferral to approved, unbuilt projects
« While revisions would be unavoidable,
reference could be made to a Council Policy
that establishes the parameters for fee
deferral, making subsequent changes easier
• Fee deferral would require changes to how
the city processes permits
• Systems in place to track and collect fees
would need alteration; this will require a
software reconfiguration and revisions to and
additional steps in the permitting process
3
/
Attachment 3
MAKING THE CASE FOR
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE DEFEItRALS
Moving Economie Recovery Forward
SAMonsecQUKnr
AUGUST 2009
BIA SAN DIEGO-*MAKH^ THE CASE PORPEVSLOPM5NT IMPACT BEB D3^KRALS''
''Constmction is at its heart a mamrfacturing
industry that employs a highly diversified and
skilled workforce. Construction is the physical
infrastructure for economic prosperity. It is the
backbone of a strong econorny* Local government as
a direct benefactor shouia foster and embrace a
healthy constmction industry/'
i5
m SAN DIEC3Q -^MAKING THE CASE POR.PBVELOPMENT IMPACT FEB mPSRRA.lff'
The constmcHon in^stry «?. in need Q/ a Jumpstart io regain its role as a
pnmary eixmomic engine of -Gte reghtt. The recoveiy of ttie ccmsiraclion industry
requires a proactive wid effective approach by local gpYemment to sfjmulate
constructtozi acfxvi(y. ^mple,, easily implemented axid unifonnly applied econoznic
stimulus meastares are-required to get con^tractiojEj acliviiy Qcarij^ again.
Ths^ meBStaes xadude petntut and entiflemeiU: extensions, permit jprocess reforov and
developmexit impact £ee defexrals. These specific meastires have no adverse fbscal
impact on local govemiyient. Instead, they wiU stimulate permit and constmction
activity, stimulate job growlfh in the construction industry, and reanvigorate fee revenue
streams to local government
This document focuses on a simple, effective, and essential stimulus measure that local
government can implemenb the deferral of payment of development impact fees. The
payment deferral of development impact fees to the end of (She constracfion process but
sUH prior to the Jmpact •occxnxing> will save fens of thousands of dollars in financing
costs for a typical project giving new projects that are otherwise stalled jBnandal
viability, once again.
Fee Deferrals are a Key Economk Strnmlus MieasTire
The deferred collection of impact fees means a simple change in fiie timing of when
development impact fees, sudi as traffic fees, park fees, school fees, water and se'wer
capacity feeSil ct cetera, are collected. Typfcalty, development Impact fees are collected at
the Knal Map or building permit application process. Hie total' bill of devdopm^t
impact fee's for a typical project can reach hundreds of titiousands to millions of dollars
id^ending on the type and size of the project A typical'50-unit housing project would
pay on average between $2.5 and $3 miHiort in impact fees.
. The deferral of developmentimpact fees simply moving the collection of the fees to a
later point in the process, such as the Certificate of Occupancy, Filial Inspection/ or Close
of Escrow." The cotlecUon of the impact fees at this later stage in no way reUevea the
builder ftotii pfrying the full fees fh^ are due. It simply allows the builder to construct
the project piior to financmgHiie impact £ees, ihereby eliminafing six months to a year or
more pf financing costs for impact fees. A lOO-unit project with SSmfllion in impact fees
and a constxuctiQn loartat 10.% would incur ^00,000 in interest charges to finance that
fee burden for a year. Deferrmg liie payment of fiiose fees to the end of the construction
process beconifis a substantial savings &at can mean the difference in wheiiier a project
moves forward or not.
To date more than 80 jurisdictiona around the state have-implemented development
impact fee deferrals and other key ecowsroic stimulus measures to stimulate'
coiiBtruction aciivity, indiiding several local San diego jccosdiclions;
• County of San IDie^o • • Qty of Encinitas
• aty of Chijaa Vista • • CityofVista
• Qfy of San Diego • City of Oceanside (Pending)
Page2of9
• BIA SAN DlEGO-->^MAKING THE CASE TOR DEVELOPMBNT IMPACT FEB DE^
Chula Vista is an example of how fee deferrals can create immediate stimulus. The City,
adopted a fee Referral policy in Mardti of 2009. The previous two montihs saw no
housing staaet activity, Wtthsn. days of emeit^nt of the neio fee deferral policyr three
major builders stfbpiUted buiUing permit appUcaiicftts for a total of 84 new home&r
. According to our most recent fiee study, these 84 homes will now generate more than $3
miBionin impact fees to iiie City of Chula Visla.
. The reason underlying, the change in behavior is'basic economics. When tiie fee
payment!^ deferred for sixio eigjit months (the average period between permit issuance
arid, dhe completion of cozvstruction) the buildear does not require allocation of scarce
capital to pay izrrpact fees and does not incur th^ financing cost of capital for that period
of time. This financial respite has proven to move projects forward resulting in new
capital expenditures and a restoration of permit activity and xiltimately fee revenues for
Ioc<d government.
Consirttctjoaa Benefits Local Goimnxmities
The single largest benefactor of construction activity is local public infiiastmctdre. In a
post-Proposition.l3 fiscal ^nvironntent, cities, water districts and sdhool districts rely on
development impact fees as a major financing mechanism for capital infrastructure
projects.
In addition to offsite infrastructure improvement,
the tjrpical residential project contributes between
$40,000 and $60,000 in development impact fees per
home, Wifh normal levels of residentfal construction
in San Diego County being around 15,000 hoixies per
year, that equaieS to -$600 fo $900 million a year ih
infrastnicture funding from residffitial constmction
alone. When impact fee revenue from otiier forms of
construction is added, tiie total is well over a $1
bilKon a year in new hafraslmcture funding, i It is
important-to recognize that tiiese impact fee revenues
typically include a • 1 to 2% adiainistrative
, cqmponeni;r or roughly $10 to 20 million annually for
iSan Diego Gourity in revenue which helps to fund
public works and ofher government depaiimaits
which administer Capital Jmprovement Piograms. •
SAN DIEGO COUNTY
> $IZ41>i!fioninGDP
> Ovec^lbiiUDnin
infzauMruciure J^m^ing
y $45 million in new tasc
revenue feomiioiiring
constractloR alone
> ^0-20 million in govti
aiiministTafive fondlng
In addition to ixt&astnicture fanding, construction also generates substantial tax
revenues, directly and indirectiy, iot local govermnent In. feet, in the first year alone
each newly constructed home generates around $16,000 in new tax revenue for the state
and $3,000 in new fax revenue for tiie city where it is Built This equates to around $45
million annually in new tax revenue for San Diego County just from new housing
construction. ^ '
Pag^3of9
n
• BIA SAN DISGO-'^MAKING THE CASS FOR PEVBLOPMENT IMPACT PEE DSFBRRALS"
Construction accounts directiy for between 4 and 5% of annual Gross Domestic Product
(GDP). In 2007, tii^ CaUfomia's Ca>P was approximately $1.8 SaHion with tiie state's
construction industry accounting directiy for ^proximatdy $70. biUion in GDF. ' In
2007, San Diego's Gixjss Regional Product (ORP) was appioximatdy $163 billion witii
the region's constmction industty accounting directiy for approximately $6.5 billion in
annual GRP.*
When accounting for tiie economic output of related indusfdes resulting &om
consfruction/ industries like real estate, finance, manufactuiing> tran^ortatton, trade,
government, etc., it is estimated :tbat an additional 90 cents of economic activity is
generated for every dollar spent on construction, s By that account, ihe construction
industry's direct, indirect and induced econoinic contribution to QDF is approximately
$233 billion statewide and $22.4 Umon in GSJPfor the San Viego region.
Construction is at its heart a manrtfactttringindustry that employs a highly dioersifipd
and skilled worJiforce,, Construction is the physical it^astructure for econoinic
prosperity. It is ihe backbone of a strong economy. Local government as a direct
benefactor should foster and embrace a healthy construction indusiry.
Constmction Standstill
Leads to Tob loss and More Foreclosures
In tiie current economic dimate, constmction activity is at a near slandstilL Building
pennit totals fbr iiic San Diego Region tracked by tiie Constmction Industry Research
Board show that new home constmction is at an all-lime low. • The drop of£ in
constrttclion. activity has come at a heavy price: spiraling unemployment, an econondc
recession and dedioing tax hase.
In San Diego Coimiy, begiiming In the summer of 2006 '
and tiirou^ February 2009, the' constmction industry
lost ^,200 jobs. The finance, insurance and real estate
industries have lost an additional 10,500 jobs and die
total job loss for the region is a daunting 121,200 jobs.
Most of these job losses 'can be attributed to the
econoitoic recession caused hy die collajrae of tiie
housing industry with nearly 40,000 jobs lost (l/S"* of
the total) in the "construction, feiance and real estate
industries. < .
SAN JPIEGO COPMTY
TCRgLOSS
fStittimer '06.- Peb.'^09)
' .dS,!P%)0job9lostin
construction, real estate
and finance (approx. "i/d
total jobless)
Xn a region of more than 3 million people covering more than 4^000 square uiiles, around
3,000 homes wUl be. built this year, an unsustainable number for an industry already
reeling. Without a course change, the region will see more unemployed, more
foreclosures, and more government agencies struggling to provide basic sero'ices under
dwindling tax revetmes. The ^adc of construction will also have long-term impacts on
the region's economy as a lack of new housing supply will push local businesses out of
- ihe San Diego.regioiv stiflang Job growth and harming tiie region's economy.
Page4of9
BIA SAN PTEGO-^'WTaNG THE CASB FOR DEVELOPMENT IMPACTBEE PEI^RRALS'^
Pee Def enrals Save Pinancing Costs
The acute problem the industty faces is two-fold; In many markets^ the market value of
a home leaves prqects teetering on infeasibility as constmction costs match or exceed
resale values set by the marketplace for both built and proposed projects. The industry
also feces imprecedented challenges in acquiring construction feiancing, its lifeblood
working capifaL The tinandnjg that is available comes at a very Mgh interest rate as a
direct consequence of the very tight credit markets,
Eee deferrals ovearcome tins fcciandal hurdle by allowing intpacl fees to be paid at the
end of tiie constcurttbn process, avoiding the fimncing costs for mfllions iniees for the
typical project tiiat woidd othenyisd need to be financed upfront in combination wltij
the material and labor costs of constmctioiu This simple sHmulue measure means the
d^erence between projects sitting idle and projects moving forward; the difference
between more unemployment and job grorolSf,
Mo-yitig Recovery Forward iii Time 'witfa BconomiG Stimttltts
Moving economic recovery forward in Hme means impact fee cashftoxu recovers sooner,
jobs are created and tax f eoenaes rise. In an effort to jumpstart construction activity and
help restore revenue streams to local government, 80+' jurisdictions^ including dties,
counties atid school districts, have implemented local economic stimulus measures for
the construction industry, indudiiig irnpact fee deferrals, map and entitiement
extensions, and impact fee reductions. The chart below shows how moving economic
recovery forward aids the recovery of revenues of local government.
CONSTRUCTION
ACnVITV/PBE
KEVJINUE PERMIT ACTCVITy/FJEB REVENUE
>VITH NO ECONOMIC STIMULUS
FEE REVENUE WITH
ECONOMIC STIMUI.US
PERMIT ACTIVITY WITH
ECONOMIC SUmSLVS
TIME
Page5of9
,9
BIA SAN PTEGO-^'MAKING THE CASE K)R DBVELOPMENT IMPACT. PEE PSFSRRAIg"
Common Miscoriceptions About Fee Deferrals
"State law does not alloto us to defer development impact fees,^
Local governments charge Devcloi>er Jmpact Fees {^EF") under Government Code
Section 66000 et seq. Section 66007(a) states thaf, notwithstanding any otiier provision of
the law, a local agency "shall not require file payment of those fees ox charges until the
date of the final inspection or the date the certificate of occupancy is issuei whichever
occurs flxst.". Contrary to commcm practice and wth few exceptions, state law actually
requires fite collection of devdopment impact fees at Cteetificate d£ Occupancy or Haal
Inspection. Additionally, State Assembly Bill 2604, signed aiid made effective August 1,
2008, authorizes the defenal of impact fees to the close of escrow.
''By deferring deoeiopment impact fees, xoe'are losing the interest collected on fees held
in. advance their expenditure,'^
It is important to recognize that theinterest rate that local government may be receiving
on any fees collected is around a marginal 1 to 2% annually. Presentiy, impact fee
revenues have dropped so precipitously that interest collected on new f6e revenue is
insignificant. The benefit of implementing fee deferrals at the bottom of tiiB market is
that it helps the constmction industry, and likewise, fee revenues, recover sooner (see
chart above). Once fee revenues are restored to normal levels, cash reserve levels
stabUize, Witii the implementation of fee defetyals bringing about an earlier lecovety,
the total interest earned on cash reserves would actually be greater over time as cash
reserves stabilize soorier. Instead of losing interest, a jurisdiction is likely to earn niore
interest • .
'"By deferring impact fees to Certificate of OcaipuHcy (COO) or Close ofBscrow, how
do we ensure-that the fees are paid?"^
There are several ways to ensure tiiat the fees are paid. The .city should use a simple
checklist of the various fees that must be paid (the same dxecklist cuirentiy used for
building permit issuance). Including school fees, sewer aind water fees, pt cetera, before a
COO or Final Inspection will be issued. K tiie fees are not paid, the city's project
tracking system-wiE show a hold on final infection or issuance of OOO, The hold
cannot be released until the fees are paid. The diy can reqidre written verification from
the other agencies (e.g., water and school districts) as proof that fees collected by outside
agencies have been paid. Please see Attachment A for a sample fee deferral ordinance:
As it relates to the Close of Escrow, a lien is placed on the property and the fees are paid
automatically out of escrow. Close of Escrow works best for f or-sale residential whereas
"COO or Pinal Inspection works best for nqn-iesidential. Attachment B contains a full
and current list of jurisdictions in Galifoxnia'tiiat implemented fee defencals.
page 6 of 9
pIA SAN PIEGO-^'MAKIWG THE CASE FOR DBVELOPME^JT IMPACT PEE PEFERRAIS''
"We (the City) do wt want to be a position of telling a homebuyer they canTtmove into
their homebecaiise the impact fees havenotheen paid.^''
It is standard practice'in the lending industry to require proof of Pinal Inspection and
•Certific?ite of Occupancy for new construction as part of the appraisal package. Now
more tiikn ever banks are ensuring that all documentation is complete prior to
completung the loan approval process. If the builder has not paid tiie necessary impact
fees, the appraisal process cannot be completed. The lender will provide documentation
to tiie buyer(s) of the necessary conditions tiiat must be foifilled prior to the appraisal
being approved, showing cleariy that the builder must obtain Final inspection and COO.
Howev^, even following the provision of these documents and a complete appraisal,
the lender still has riot approved the loan. This step may take another week ox more,
especially in the current climate. Thus, it is highly unlikely that a homebuyer would be
allowed to move in prior to ihe payment of impact fees with these checks and balance
inplace.
Page7of9
BIA SAN DlEGO-^^MAKiNG TOE CASE TOIL PBVELOPMHtvn' IMPACTPEE D£FBRRAIJS'^
Footnoless
1 Building Induahy Association of San Diego County 2007-2008 Annual Pee
Survey.
2 Califomia Building. Industry ^sedation, "Housing Builds Jobs: Economic
Rrcovery Starts with Housing," 2009.'
3 U.S, Departm^t of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, California Gross
Domestit Product, Januaiy 2009.
4 San Diego Regional EDC, "San Diego County Economic Overview,"' September
2008.
5 Sacramento Regional Research Institute, "The Economic Benefits of Housing in
• Califoinia," August 2005.
6 Center for Policy Initiatives, "San Diego County Hits Highest Unemployment on
. Record,^'March 20,2009.
Page8of9
BIA SAN DlEiGO-'TvIAKING THE CASEPORDBVELOPMBNTT IMPACT EBB DBPBRRALS^
ATTACHMBNTA
MODEL DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE DEFERRAX
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNaL OF THE CITY OF '
AMENDING THE CTTY^S DEVELOPMENT IMPACT PEE (DO) PROVISIONS.
§100.00 purpose
(a) The purpose'of this ordinance is to implement de'velopment impact fee defenrals
for new constmction,
§100.10 Paynieiit of Developniient Impact Fees
(a) The payment of Devclopmomt Impact Fees (as defined in paragraph (b) of
Catifarnia Govermnent Code Section 66000) shaH be required upon the issuance
of Ceridficate of Occupan<y» The Development Impact Fees due shall be the
amoimt in effisct upon the issuance of Building Permit or, where applicable, as
those fees established hi a Development Agreement
.(b) Notwithstanding the above, the City Manager is authorized to defer the
collection of Development Impact Fees for a maximum period of two years or
until request for Certificate of Occupancy, whichever is shorter. The Certificate
of Occupancy shall riot be issued until the applicable Development Impact Fees
are paid.
(c) In the case of projects that do not receive Certificate of Occupancies, tiie Qiiyr
Manager is authorized to defer the coHection of Development Impact Fees for a
maximum period of two years or until request for Final Inspection, whichever is
. shorter. The Final Inspection shall not be approved until the applicable
Development Impact Fees are paid
(d) Notwithstanding patagrapihs (a), (b), and (c) above, a waiver, adjustment, or
reduction of tiie Development Impact Fees duet may be requested and decided
based on the findings contained in paragraph (e) below. An application for a
waiver, adjustment, or reduction shall be filed in accordance with Section
and shall include financial and otiier infoxmationtiie Qiy Manager
determines necessary to perform an independent evaluation of the applicant's
rationale for the waiver, adjustment, or reduction.
(e) No waiver, ad^usfmentr or reduction of the Development Impact Fees diie shall
be issued unless the Qty Council iinds tiiere is no reasonable relationship or
nexus between the impact of the development and Sie" amount of the
Development Impact Fee,
Page9of9
^3
Attachment 4
Vista City Council Policy
500-01 VISTA ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE
PURPOSE
To establish a policy that will improve the overall economy for residents and
businesses within Vista. To achieve this objective the City has developed the
Vista Economic Stimulus Package. The goals are to induce the type of
development beneficial to the City and create jobs for Vista residents. Project
specific benefits under this package will be outlined in an agreement between the
City and the developer prior to issuance of a building permit.
POUCY
REDEVELOPMENT AREA DEVELOPMENTS
The stimulus package benefits identified in Section A are available to the following
types of new commercial development if completed and granted occupancy before
December 31, 2011:^
1. Developments within and positively impacting the Vista Redevelopment
Area (includes the existing and expanded areas); or
2. Developments, limited to those outlined in Attachment 1, that may be
outside the Vista Redevelopment Area (includes the existing and
expanded areas) but have a positive impact on the Redevelopment Area;
or
3. Developments which can accommodate a three-year payback to the City
based on the Value Added Formula in Attachment 2.
Examples of projects that will positively Impact the Redevelopment Area include:
1. Sales tax producers which produce more than $100,000 in sales tax
annually for the City based on a fiscal analysis.
2. Local job creators that also commit to keeping jobs in Vista. If a company
can demonstrate that they will hire 30 percent of their workforce from Vista
and maintain this level for a period of three years, they will be eligible for
benefits of the Economic Stimulus Package. A development qualifying
under this section must have a minimum of 20 full time equivalent
^ Projects that were originally approved to be part of this program, but are not completed and
granted occupancy before December 31, 2011, may still qualify for benefits under this program,
but they will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and modifications to their original
agreements will be required to determine a new occupancy date and any reduction in benefits.
500-01 (1)
vista City Council Policy
employees and provide quarterly verification of Vista residents working for
the employer.
3. Mixed-use development projects, those with a residential and retail and/or
office component are eligible. Projects under this section must work with
City staff to create an end resuH that is consistent with the City's vision
and goals for the specific area in which the project is proposed.
4. Additional amenities and/or sites as listed on Attachment 1.
CITYWIDE DEVELOPMENTS
The stimulus package benefits identified in Section B are available to all new
commercial development within the City of Vista if completed and granted
occupancy before December 31, 2011
ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE BENEFITS^
Section A - Redevelopnnent Area Benefits
1. Chance to traffic impact fees scheduie
This benefit will allow participating developments to pay for their traffic
impact fees over a period of three years.
Fees will be due according to the following scheduie:
10% - Upon approval of project building plans
15% - Upon certificate of occupancy
25% - By the first year anniversary of certificate of occupancy
25% - By the second year anniversary of certificate of occupancy
25% - By the third year anniversary of certificate of occupancy
This benefit will apply only to projects where it can be determined that
timing of construction of future off-site improvements do not require the
^ See footnote 1 above.
^ Conceptual approval of a project or use/amenity/stte will be made by the Redevelopment and
the Economic Development departments. All developments to be granted benefits under tiie
Vista Economic Stimulus Package must be brought to the City Council/Community
Development Commission for approval, and City Council approval fOr program benefits must be
granted before any grading or building permit is issued. Any direct financial support or funding
required to provide the benefits under this section will come from Community Development
Commission. Developers must consult with their own legal counsel to determine if prevailing
wage requirements might apply to their project; tiie City Attorney will offer no legal advice or
opinion on this issue. If projected goals are not met a repayment of unearned Incentives will be
required as part of any project agreement
500-01 (2)
Vista City Council Policy
immediate payment of traffic impact fees. Developers may choose to
prepay all traffic impact fees If they prefer. Payment of these fees following
occupancy will be secured by the property, and any non-payment of fees
or principal will be recorded as a tax lien against the property.
2. Reduced traffic impact fees
Traffic impact fees may be reduced for a development based on its benefit
to the City of Vista Redevelopment Area. This will be reviewed on a case-
by-case basis and developments must demonstrate they can meet the
three-year payback requirement. See Attachment 2 for the three-year
payback formula.
3. Offsite improvement requirements
Suitable projects may be allowed to forgo some or all of their off-site
improvement requirements. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case
basis. Participating developments must demonstrate they can meet the
three-year payback requirement outlined in Attachment 2.
4. Bond requirement elimination
This benefit will eliminate the requirement for bonds and other securities
for on-site improvements, with the exception of grading, drainage, and
landscaping.
5. Occupancv
Provided that the public right-of-way and access to buildings are free and
clear of construction activities, early occupancy will be considered on a
case-by-case basis.
6. Fast-tracking
Projects that are eligible wilt be given priority during the planning and
building review process. In addition, these projects will receive a written
outline of the City review timeline following submittal of a planning
application.
7. Proiect facilitators
Projects that are eligible will be assigned one City staff person to facilitate
that specific project.
8. Other support as deemed appropriate
There may be additional support and financial assistance which the City
deems appropriate with regard to specific desirable amenities/
develophients. Such assistance will be determined on a case-by-case
basis. Qualifying developments must be able to meet the three-year
payback requirement as outlined in Attachment 2.
500-01 (3)
Vista City Council Policy
Section B - Citywide Benefits
1. Change to traffic Impact fees schedule
This benefit will allow participating developments to pay for their traffic
impact fees over a period of three years.
Fees will be due according to the following schedule:
10% - Upon approval of project building plans
15% - Upon certificate of occupancy
25% - By the first year anniversary of certificate of occupancy
25% - By the second year anniversary of certificate of occupancy
25% - By the third year anniversary of certificate of occupancy
This benefit will apply only to projects where it can be determined that
timing of constmction of future off-site improvements do not require the
immediate payment of traffic impact fees. Developers may choose to
prepay all traffic impact fees if they prefer. Payment of these fees following
occupancy will be secured by the property, and any non-payment of fees
or principal will be recorded as a tax lien against the property.
HISTORY
Adopted August 26, 2008, City Council Resolution 2008-173
500-01 (4)
Vista City Council Policy
Attachment 1
Additional Amenities and Sites^
DESIRED AMENITIES;
Books
• Barnes and Noble
• Borders
Restaurants
• Ruth Chris Steak House
• Rainwaters
• Brigantine
• Roppongi
• Houston's Restaurant
• Roy's
Auto Sales
• BMW
• Honda
• Toyota
Hotels
• Marriott
• Hyatt
• Hampton Inn
• Sheraton
Clothing Stores
• Anne Taylor
• Chico's
• Coldwater Creek
ADDITIONAL SITES TO BE INCLUDED:
1. Two vacant lots at the NW and NE corners of Melrose and Sycamore
2. Vacant lot at the SW corner of Faraday and Melrose
3. Vacant lot at the SW corner of La Tortuga and Hacienda
^ This list of prospective businesses in not meant to be proscriptive or all inclusive. Rather, it is
intended to provide examples ofthe types of quality projects the City would consider for receipt
of benefits under the Vista Economic Stimulus Package. The list of additional sites outside of
the Redevelopment Project Area Is expressly limited to the three listed, however.
500-01 (5)
Vista City Council Policy
Attachment 2
City of Vista Value Added Formulas for Three-year Payback
Sales tax producers. Mixed Use Developments & Other Amenities Listed In
Attachment 1
Amount of Stimulus Package Benefit < to Sales tax + Property Tax/Tax Increment the
City Receives Over Three Years
Example of a qualifying project:
$400K Reduction in Offsite Improvements < to $300K in Three-Year Sales Tax + $120K
in Three-Year Property Tax/Tax Increment.
Local Jobs Creators
Amount of Stimulus Package Benefit < to 10 percent of Total Salary Provided to VIsta
Employees (must live in Vista) Over Three Years + Property Tax/Tax Increment the City
Receives Over Three Years
Example of a qualifying project:
$400K Reduction in Offsite Improvements < to $337,500 Total Salary Provided to Vista
Employees (must live in Vista) Over Three Years + $120K in Three-Year Property
Tax/Tax Increment. (Assumes 25 employees x $45K average annual salary =
$1,125,000 X 3 years x .10 = $337,500.)
^ Projects not meeting their projected goals will be required to repay a prorated portion of the
reduced fees and/or benefits. Each agreement will provide how the repayment of benefits will
be made In the event the development is not able to achieve their stated goals. In detennining if
a project meets the three-year payback, calculations of will deduct the existing sales tax.
property tax and number of employees when determining the benefit to the City of Vista. For
example, a vacant lot would have no sales tax in its undeveloped state, but an existing retail
center would. The baseline calculation to determine the net benefit for the vacant lot will show
no sales tax; however, the retail center's existing sales tax will be deducted to detennine the net
benefit to the City of Vista of the proposed new project that would take its place.
500-01 (6)
P9
EXHIBIT 2
CITY OF CARLSBAD
DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES DUE AT FINAL MAP, GRADING, OR BUILDING PERMIT ISSUANCE
Impact Fees Recommended by Staff as OK for Deferral
Park In Lieu
Local Facilities Management Plan (LFMP)
Traffic Impact
Master Drainage (PLDA)
Sewer Connection
Sewer Capacity & Benefit Area
Housing Impact & In Lieu
Impact Fees Not Recommended by Staff for Deferral
Assessment Districts
Agricultural Conversion Mitigation
Bridge and Thoroughfare Districts 1, 2, & 3
Community Facilities District 1
Habitat In Lieu Mitigation
License Tax on New Construction (PFF)
Potable Water Connection
Reclaimed Water Connection
Water Meter
Impact Fees Collected by Other Outside Agencies
San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA)
School Fees (Carlsbad, San Marcos, Encinitas, San Dieguito Districts)
Vallecitos and Olivenhain Water Fees
Vallecitos and Leucadia District Sewer Fees
Development Impact Fee
Deferral
Mike Peterson
September 11, 2012
Background
•BIA request to defer impact fees
•City Council workshop - May 2012
–Identify fees for possible deferral
–Draft necessary ordinance amendments
Development Impact Fees
Four categories of impact fees
•Governed by state law
•Impact occurs at issuance
•Voted on by property owners or residence
•Legally permissible to defer and impact doesn’t
occur until occupancy
3
Impact Fees
Recommended For Deferral
•Park in Lieu
•Local Facilities
Management Plan
•Traffic Impact
•Master Drainage
(PLDA)
•Sewer Connection
•Sewer Benefit Area
•Sewer Capacity
•Housing Impact & In lieu
4
Development Impact Fee Deferral
Criteria
•Defer fee payment until request for final inspection
•Residential projects of 5+ dwelling units
•New commercial or industrial square footage
•Fee amount paid based on fee in effect at the time of
final inspection request
•Program would sunset two years from effective date
unless extended by City Council
5
Next Steps
•Draft ordinance and return to future City
Council meeting
•Development of implementation plan
–Changes to the city’s permitting software
–Change staff operating procedures
–Training of appropriate development staff
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Questions?
7