El Segundo council approves first-reading changes to cultural development fee rules

The El Segundo City Council on March 18 approved amendments to the city’s cultural development program fee structure and sent the item forward for potential adoption at the April 1 meeting.

The changes approved at first reading allow developers to split required on-site art contributions and pay the remainder as an in-lieu fee, set a maximum in-lieu fee of $1,000,000, and permit applicants to pay the fee at the time a certificate of occupancy is issued rather than at building permit issuance. Community Development Director Michael Allen presented the change and the council approved the amendments.

City staff said the modifications are intended to provide flexibility to applicants and align the program with development practices used on recent projects. The council’s action on March 18 was approval of the amendments for further consideration; the ordinance and any final adoption are scheduled for the April 1 council meeting.

No vote tally was provided in the meeting transcript. The city’s staff report and ordinance language will determine how the revised fee schedule and payment timing apply to pending and future projects.