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Kenmore Council weighs park impact fee options, asks staff for rate scenarios and equity analysis
Summary
Kenmore councilors spent the bulk of a meeting reviewing a consultant'0park-impact-fee study that calculates per-capita investment in parks and offers recovery-rate options; council asked staff for clearer percentage tables and implications for affordable housing before scheduling public hearings.
Kenmore councilors spent extensive time reviewing a consultant'0presentation on a proposed park impact fee rate study and requested staff-return with concrete options and equity analysis.
The consultant, Tom Beckwith, explained the standard methodology: inventory park land and facilities, estimate replacement or market-related values for facilities and assessor values for land, calculate a per-person invested value, then multiply by the population expected from a new housing unit type and apply a recovery percentage. He said the study produces a theoretical "maximum" fee (100% of calculated value) but recommended councils usually start lower — commonly 25% to 35% — to avoid undue housing cost pressure. He also noted some jurisdictions have charged as much as 85% where political consensus and funding mixes supported it.
Debbie Bent, community development director, and Beckwith…
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