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Planning staff projects $110 million in area-plan fees over five years, flags transit funding gaps
Summary
Planning Department staff told the Planning Commission the EPIC report forecasts roughly $110 million in impact-fee revenue across area plans over five years, highlighted priority projects in Rincon Hill, Market Octavia and Eastern Neighborhoods, and urged additional revenue sources for transportation projects.
Kirsten Bissinger, a planning department implementation staffer, told the Planning Commission on Dec. 10 that the Interagency Plan Implementation Committee (EPIC) expects a significant rise in development impact fees over the next five years, driven by projects already under construction.
"We're estimating roughly $110,000,000 from all of the plan areas combined, not including the Transit Center," Bissinger said, and noted the Capital Planning Committee approved a 4.5 percent increase to development impact fee rates, effective Jan. 1.
Bissinger outlined how EPIC coordinates agencies to translate area plans into capital projects and described priority spending categories — transportation, open space, childcare and libraries — that area plans identify. She highlighted specific projects and revenue sources: Rincon Hill's infrastructure financing district and newly opened Emerald Park; Market Octavia transportation and pedestrian work including the Haight Street two‑way project; and $22 million dedicated in fiscal years 2017–18 to Folsom and Howard street improvements in Eastern Neighborhoods.
The presentation made clear that impact fees typically cover only about 30 percent of identified infrastructure needs and that EPIC is seeking ways to leverage other revenues, including infrastructure finance districts, parcel sales and a small general‑fund set‑aside. Bissinger said the green bar in EPIC tables shows other targeted revenues — including about $5 million from the general fund and proceeds from Central Freeway parcels — but said transportation projects remain the largest unfunded need.
Commissioners and members of the public asked for additional detail, including a clearer update on growth assumptions in each plan area and a breakdown of fee deferrals. Public commenter Sue Hester cited fee‑deferral data showing five projects accounted for roughly $100 million of deferred fees and asked how that affects near‑term revenues. Bissinger and staff agreed to produce additional detail and noted EPIC will return with a separate report on the Transit Center funding strategy.
The commission will receive the EPIC report through the budget process; staff said agencies will integrate the recommended projects into their forthcoming budgets and return with additional analysis on funding gaps and priorities.
