Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Public Space topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning Commission OKs $1.5M fee‑credit for 333 Harrison to secure future Rincon Hill park
Summary
The commission voted unanimously to grant about $1.5 million in Rincon Hill impact‑fee credit to a developer in exchange for committing to help acquire and build a park on the Caltrans parcel in Rincon Hill; Park & Rec and Department of Real Estate have been engaged and sponsor agreed to fund maintenance.
The Planning Commission on Feb. 3 unanimously approved an in‑kind agreement crediting roughly $1.5 million of Rincon Hill impact fees toward the city's purchase and development of a park on the northern portion of a Caltrans parcel at 333 Harrison Street.
Planning staff described the park concept as part of the Rincon Hill area plan and reported a total park estimate of about $8 million, of which roughly $6 million was land value (appraised by the Department of Real Estate) and about $1.9 million estimated construction costs for play area, community garden and informal seating. Staff said Park and Rec supports continued involvement on design, maintenance terms and eventual acquisition; the sponsor agreed to privately fund maintenance for the life of the park rather than use impact fees.
Kirsten from planning staff summarized eligibility under the commission’s in‑kind policy and noted the Rincon Hill plan identified the parcel as a priority open space. Commissioners and staff discussed timing — including the possible role of an infrastructure finance district (IFD) if the Board of Supervisors establishes one — and contingency arrangements such as letters of credit if acquisition and design are not completed by certificate of occupancy.
Commissioner McGill moved to approve the waiver; the motion passed unanimously. The action provides a credit to the sponsor and authorizes staff to finalize terms (crediting, acquisition schedule and maintenance agreements) with Park & Rec and City Real Estate before occupancy.
Next steps: staff will formalize the in‑kind agreement, clarify timing relative to any IFD actions by the Board of Supervisors, and record the credit against future fee payments or through an alternate mechanism if acquisition is delayed.
