The East Bethel City Council voted Dec. 22 to amend Chapter 66, Section 66-165 of the city code to add a trail dedication fee of $1,500 per single-family lot and a park dedication fee of $3,500 per single-family lot.

City staff introduced the ordinance amendment at a public hearing, saying the fee addresses a lack of funding for trail construction in the parks capital-improvement plan and that the fee amount was established based on what other communities charge. "$1,500 is not gonna get you very much in a trail," staff said, adding the figure was chosen to mirror peer communities and to avoid charging amounts that have attracted pushback elsewhere.

Resident Joe Bridal of Staple Street spoke in support during the hearing. "This dedication fee has been a long time in the works... I can't express how happy I am to finally see this trails dedication fee," Bridal said, urging the council to approve the change to help connect the city.

Council discussion focused on two policy questions: whether cash-in-lieu would let developers avoid building meaningful trail connections, and where the city should draw the line between mandatory trail construction and accepting cash. One councilmember asked whether the ordinance or fee schedule should require trails from larger developers and allow cash-in-lieu for smaller projects; staff responded that the city retains discretion at plat approval and that large developers (Capstone was cited) typically install trails because buyers demand the amenity.

A councilmember moved to approve the ordinance amendment and the motion passed by voice vote with all members saying "aye" and no opposition heard. Staff said the fee amounts will be reflected in the city fee schedule and applied per the amended code.

The amendment establishes a formal mechanism for trail funding; the council and staff signaled further policy work and case-by-case decisions ahead to determine when trails should be required rather than replaced by cash payments.