Parks board backs raising parkland dedication fee to $3,100 and forwards recommendation to City Council

The Missouri City Parks Board unanimously voted to forward a positive recommendation to City Council for an amended Parkland Dedication Ordinance that would set the money‑in‑lieu fee at $3,100 per dwelling unit.

Diane, parks department staff, told the board the change reflects updated land and park development costs. She said staff used two approaches to estimate land cost (the most recent purchase, East Hampton Park, and citywide 2015 vs. 2025 land‑value comparisons) and adjusted a 2015 park development figure for inflation. That work produced a combined per‑unit cost of about $3,086, which staff rounded to $3,100 per dwelling unit.

The ordinance would allow developers at final plat to either dedicate land or pay the money‑in‑lieu fee. Diane explained the ordinance’s definition of “neighborhood park” is intended to cover all park types so recreational opportunities remain close to the residents they serve. She also described how staff would review proposals: first to the Parks Board for recommendation, then to Planning & Zoning Commission, and finally to City Council for action.

Board members pressed staff on the assumptions behind the figures. The Chair cited Troxell Park as an example of recent park development costs (approximately $1.3 million total, which the Chair described as about $406,000 per acre) and asked staff to include comparable project costs and sister‑city benchmarking data when the ordinance goes to the next review body. Diane acknowledged state legislative changes that have limited some municipalities’ parkland dedication practices and said staff tried to balance raising the fee with keeping Missouri City competitive.

The draft ordinance also addresses encumbered versus unencumbered land and trail crediting. Diane said staff can decline donated features that do not meet master plan needs or lack recreational access and can require improvements before acceptance. Under the proposal, one mile of public trail would count as one acre of park dedication and would provide a 25% credit toward the obligation; private resident‑only trails would receive reduced or no credit.

Committee member (S3) moved to accept the amended ordinance and forward a recommendation; a second was recorded. The Chair called for the vote and the motion passed with the board recorded as unanimous in favor.

Next steps: the Parks Board’s positive recommendation will be included in the packet that goes to Planning & Zoning and then to City Council for final action. Board members asked staff to include comparative cost figures and regional benchmarks with subsequent staff materials.