01-27-2015, 03:15 PM
(01-26-2015, 07:50 PM)mpd618 Wrote: Are those buildings paying parkland dedication fees? I don't think a development necessarily needs to have its individual piece of green space, just like it shouldn't need its own dedicated parking garage. But where the parking can be provided by the market, I think fees definitely should be levied on developments in order for the municipality to be able to create park space for the public. Just - that park space better be in the neighbourhood, rather than at the edge of town.
The developers often do pay some sort of green space fee, but it is often negotiated away in lieu of some other development concession. Alternately, the green space fee is paid, but the City is so backlogged on capital projects that it can be several years before the host neighbourhood sees the improvement that was promised in exchange for the new development.
If there is no space to add green space in a neighbourhood, what should the City do? Ask the developer to leave some green space, or cobble together enough development fees to knock down another building or two to create a park?