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Resident urges Menlo Park to review Quimby Act park fees applied to SB9 lot splits
Summary
A Housing Commission member speaking as a resident urged the council to review the application of Quimby Act park fees to SB9 lot-split projects, arguing that reported fees (one cited example of about $127,000) create a barrier to owner-occupied infill and suggested the city agendize a fee-structure review.
During general public comment, Will Osler, who serves on Menlo Park's Housing Commission but spoke as a District 3 resident, urged the council to review how Quimby Act park fees are applied to projects enabled by Senate Bill 9 (SB9).
Osler said SB9 creates opportunities for owner-occupied infill housing and noted that while accessory-dwelling-unit permits have been common, SB9 permits remain rare locally. He cited reporting of a $127,000 park-fee charge on one SB9 lot-split project and estimated that fee could account for roughly 8% of total project costs. "That's a substantial barrier keeping individual homeowners... from participating in solving our housing crisis," Osler said, and asked the council to agendize a review of the fee structure so SB9 can function as intended.
Mayor Betsy Nash and staff did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; Osler's comment was recorded as public input for council consideration.
