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Alameda County Planning Staff: $1.38M in Park-In-Lieu Fees Owed as Refunds; $2.5M Remains for Projects
Summary
Planning staff told supervisors there is approximately $1,380,000 in park-in-lieu fees older than five years owed to about 120 property owners and about $2.5 million still available to fund park projects; staff will seek MAC input, Planning Commission accounting, and Board authorization for refunds this fall.
Planning staff reported to the Unincorporated Services Committee on July 24 that accounting for park-in-lieu fees has identified approximately $1,380,000 in funds that are older than five years and are therefore eligible for refund to property owners, and an additional $2,500,000 remains available for park projects in the Eden, Castro Valley and Fairview areas.
"These are fees that are paid upon submitting of a building permit," Albert Lopez, planning director, told the committee, explaining the county collects park-in-lieu fees in separate subarea accounts and disburses funds to park districts that deliver projects. Lopez said the last request from the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) for park-in-lieu funds was in 2016 and that staff went back beyond five years to compute refund eligibility.
Staff described the next steps: (1) the county will present the accounting to the Planning Commission and request recommendation on refunds; (2) the Board of Supervisors must authorize refund payments; and (3) ordinance amendments to formalize MACs (municipal advisory councils) as advisory committees for disbursement will go to MACs and then back to the Board for approval. Lopez said staff will send letters to the roughly 120 property owners so recipients can attest they are current owners before checks are issued.
Range of refund amounts: Lopez said refund sizes vary widely — owners of single-family homes typically would receive around $11,000, accessory-dwelling-unit or townhome refunds are smaller (a few thousand dollars), and large multiunit owners could see amounts as high as roughly $300,000. The county expects to bring accounting to the Planning Commission in September and to the Board in October for final approval.
Why it matters: The accounting corrects a long-standing administrative gap that left some funds unrequested and accruing for years, while some park projects remain unfunded. Once refunds are authorized and requested projects vetted by MACs, funds can be distributed to park districts or returned to eligible property owners.
Next steps: Staff will finish the letters to property owners, present the accounting to the Planning Commission (likely September) and seek Board authorization (likely October); staff also will pursue the ordinance amendment to formalize MACs' advisory role for disbursements.
Sources: Albert Lopez (Planning Director); discussion with supervisors.
