Title
Approval of an Ordinance Amending Park Impact Fees to Remove Exemption for Senior Housing Developments
Recommended Action
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) Recommendation:
Remove the park impact fee exemption for senior housing developments from the park impact fee ordinance. Retain the exemption for developments limited to residents who routinely receive assistance with activities of daily living.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve on second reading the park impact fee ordinance to remove the exemption for senior housing developments.
Note: A full exemption will remain for developments limited to residents who routinely receive assistance with activities of daily living.
Report
Issue:
The current park impact fee ordinance exempts all developments for residents 62 and older from paying park impact fees. At issue is whether this full exemption should remain as is, be reduced, or be eliminated altogether.
Staff Contact:
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Planner, Parks, Arts and Recreation, 360.753.8068
Presenter(s):
Jonathon Turlove, Associate Planner, Parks, Arts and Recreation
Background and Analysis:
The background and analysis have not changed from first to second reading.
Since 1994, Olympia's Impact Fee Ordinance has exempted all residential developments for residents 62 and older from paying park and school impact fees (transportation impact fees are not included in this exemption). With today's seniors living longer and staying active later in life, it is likely that seniors are utilizing Olympia's park system more than they were when this exemption was put in place 20 years ago. With this in mind, the City recently hired a consultant, FCS Group, to analyze the usage of parks by seniors to determine if this exemption was still appropriate.
Consultant Recommendation
The lead consultant for FCS Group stated that Olympia is the only jurisdiction out of the dozens that he has worked for that h...
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