McMinnville staff propose new parks SDC that would quadruple some residential charges; council divided over timing

Summary

Public Works Director Jeff Hunsicker presented a consultant-led parks SDC methodology driven by the 2024 PROS Plan that would add commercial/industrial charges and raise the average residential park SDC to about $12,500 from the current $3,200. Councilors asked for more analysis on affordability and whether affordable housing should receive discounts.

Public Works Director Jeff Hunsicker told the McMinnville City Council on Feb. 10 that the city needs a new parks system development charge (SDC) methodology to align with the 2024 Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan and to ensure growth pays its share of capacity expansion. The current SDC methodology dates to 1998, Hunsicker said, and does not charge commercial or industrial development.

Hunsicker said the methodology uses an "equivalent population" approach: the plan assumes nearly 13,000 new residents between about 2020 and 2041, and adds employment growth by treating one employee as equal to one-third of a full-time resident, producing roughly 15,000 equivalent new residents for the 20-year horizon. The city's adopted service standard is 8.5 park acres per 1,000 equivalent population; staff used that standard to derive capital needs in the CIP.

The presentation broke…

McMinnville staff propose new parks SDC that would quadruple some residential charges; council divided over timing

Summary

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