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Council adopts phased park impact-fee increase after hours of debate
Summary
After public comment and extended council debate, Poulsbo adopted a phased increase to park impact fees — including shifting payment to Certificate of Occupancy — with the council rejecting an amendment to delay later-phase increases.
Poulsbo's City Council voted June 17 to adopt a phased increase to the city's park impact fees, concluding a months-long review that drew public comment from builders and park commissioners.
The ordinance adopts the first two phases of increases and changes the timing so the fee is due at Certificate of Occupancy rather than at permit issuance. Nicole Coleman, the planning staff member who led the item, told the council the change effectively defers payment until construction is complete and noted staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended a phased approach with a PROS plan update to follow.
Public commenters included Jamie Gluff of the Kitsap Building Association, who urged caution. "A 100% increase is not a minor adjustment," Gluff said, arguing the full cost will be passed to homebuyers and renters and urging the council to apply an affordability lens.
Several council members expressed concern about the scale and timing of the increases. Councilman Rick Eckert moved an amendment to remove the 2028 phase to allow time for a professionally led PROS plan and policy discussion; the amendment received a second but failed on the council floor. After additional debate over proportionality by square footage and potential exemptions for desired housing types, the original motion passed (final recorded vote: 4 yes, 1 no). The ordinance language also includes direction to complete a PROS update and revisit fee structure.
The adopted ordinance references the need for follow-up work by staff to identify how fee credits, waivers, or proportionality by footprint should be applied, and to return with clarifying materials as part of future budget and code considerations.
