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Council discusses park‑fee program, zoning of fee use and appeals process; staff to meet Parks and Recreation Planning Board
Summary
Council discussed the city’s 1993 park‑fee program, which requires that fees be spent in the zone where collected and used only for neighborhood or linear parks. Parks staff said appeals, variances and exceptions exist in the ordinance; council asked staff to continue outreach and two‑year review with the Parks and Recreation Planning Board.
Plano City Council on Aug. 25 heard from Ron Smith, director of Parks and Recreation, on the city’s park‑fee program established in 1993 and used to fund neighborhood and linear parks in 14 zones across the city.
Smith said the fee is calculated separately for single‑family and multifamily residential development and that, under the ordinance, fees "must be spent in the zone in which it is collected, and it can only be used for neighborhood and linear parks." He noted the Trust for Public Land data showing 81% of Plano residents live within a 10‑minute walk of a park, and the Parks and Recreation Planning Board has requested more frequent reviews of the fee.
Council members asked about several practical issues. Council member Levine and public commenter Bill Lyle raised transparency concerns — Lyle said maps presented did not show current park locations or existing fund balances by zone, and urged the city to show balances so developers and the public can see what is available. Smith and staff said they will provide a five‑year look‑ahead of projects financed by the fee and meet with the Parks and Recreation Planning Board in two years for further review.
Council member Renee (last name not specified on transcript) asked whether the ordinance allows variances or appeals when there is little feasible park land in a zone; staff confirmed that the ordinance provides an appeals/variance process and that the burden of proof is on the appellant. Staff clarified that park fee funds cannot be used for maintenance or repairs; they can be used for erosion control only if it is part of a new trail construction project.
Council discussed the principle that fees collected in a zone should provide benefit in that zone; several council members said the fee helps preserve neighborhood amenities that attract residents. Staff will provide additional information about fee balances, projected projects (Glasscock, Los Rios, Moore, Ravenglass, Rowlett Creek), and the appeals process as requested by council and members of the public.
