Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Reso 2024-05 - Fees for Planning and Building Permits and Services RESOLUTION NO.2024-05 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH ESTABLISHING UPDATED FEES FOR PLANNING AND BUILDING PERMITS AND SERVICES PURSUANT TO CITY ADOPTED ORDINANCE 880 WHEREAS: 1. Community Development Department ("Department") Planning and Building Permit service fees have not been updated since 2020; and 2. The Department conducted a Planning Division fee analysis and time study for permits processed from 2022 and 2023, comparing to data from a previous fee analysis conducted from 2017 to 2019, to determine the average amount of processing time per permit,as well as the total costs to process the permit. Planning permit fee modifications are in part based on this analysis; and 3. The City Council appointed a Community Development Department Fee Schedule Ad Hoc Committee comprised of Councilmembers Crane and Orozco to provide input and recommendations in the updating of the Department's Fee Schedule; and 4. The existing fee for 100% cost recovery projects was first adopted in 2007. To reduce invoicing and processing time for the Finance Department and the number of requests made to the applicant for additional deposits plus reflect the actual cost of the City in processing these permits, it is reasonable and appropriate to set the Community Development Department cost recovery hourly rate based on a per staff position "fully burdened" hourly rate adjusted annually by the Finance Director within the Master Fee Schedule. The fully burdened hourly rate will be inclusive of salary and benefits for each staff position of the Community Development Department, as well as overhead costs, which will include the at-cost charge for direct costs and a percentage of costs according to the most recently adopted Cost Allocation Plan; and 5. Due to the increased costs (salary, benefits, legal ads, postage, etc.) for processing of major planning permits- defined for the purposes of this Fee Schedule as major use permits, major site development permits, major amendments to major use permits and major site development permits, major variances, major subdivisions, general plan amendments, pre-zonings/re- zonings/annexations, planned developments, and specific plan/master plan reviews-and to reduce invoicing and processing time for the Finance Department and the number of requests made to the applicant for additional deposits plus reflect the actual cost of the City in processing these permits, it is reasonable and appropriate to increase the initial deposit amount for such permits, which are fully cost recoverable, from $1,000.0043,000.00 to $3,000; and 6. Due to the generally non-controversial nature and limited community impact of level 1 minor permits- defined for the purposes of this Fee Schedule as minor site development permits, minor use permits, amendments to minor site development permits and minor use permits, minor variances, and minor subdivisions-and the opportunity for streamlined processing of such permits, the two different levels for minor permits, level 1 and level 2, are hereby eliminated, and all minor permits will be processed as what was formerly the level 2 permit; and 7. Due to the increased costs (salary, benefits, legal ads, postage, etc.) for processing of minor planning permits-defined for the purposes of this Fee Schedule as minor site development permits, minor use permits, amendments to minor site development permits and minor use permits, minor variances, and minor subdivisions- it is reasonable and appropriate to increase the fee for such permits from $900.00 to $1,000.00; and Page 1 of 3 8. Due to the increased costs (salary, benefits, legal ads, postage, etc.) for processing of Director Determinations, it is reasonable and appropriate to increase the fee from $300.00 to $500; and 9. Due to the increased costs (salary, benefits, legal ads, postage, etc.) for processing of Boundary Line Adjustments and Lot Mergers on non-residentially zoned parcels, it is reasonable and appropriate to increase the fee from $350 to $500; and 10. In alignment with the City's housing goals, the City has determined that a fee reduction is appropriate for Boundary Line Adjustments and Lot Mergers undertaken on residentially zoned parcels. Fees for the processing of such applications on residentially-zoned parcels shall be$350; with fees further discounted to $260 for affordable housing projects and $170 for special needs housing projects; and 11. Due to the cost recovery nature of major permits, and to reduce the invoicing and processing time for the Finance Department and the number of requests made to the applicant for additional deposits plus reflect the actual cost of the City in processing these permits, it is reasonable and appropriate to eliminate the stand-alone flat fee of$50 for"Continuations of Public Hearings at the Applicant's Request" and instead roll these costs directly into the cost of the major planning permit(s); and 12. A public notice was posted in the Ukiah Daily Journal on February 11, 2024 and online on the City's Press Releases, Notices, and Bulletins webpage to notify the public of the possible changes to the Fee Schedule and give the public an opportunity to make their comments known; and 13. The City has determined that a fee reduction for projects that promote/provide economic development, affordable and special needs housing, energy conservation and public benefits are still reasonable and appropriate. These fees have not been adjusted and include the following: Economic Development Fee Reduction Energy Conservation Public (No change) Benefit Components Project Design: Solar PV, LEED 80% cost recovery rather than 100% on certification, public access easement Planning Permits (creeks, streets, pedestrian paths, etc.), substantial over-planting of trees, significant creek restoration and/or public access, and similar design elements. Downtown Businesses: Planning 80% cost recovery rather than 100% on Applications made by downtown Planning Permits businesses (DZC area)—new business or expansion of existing business Industrial/Light Manufacturing: Planning 80% cost recovery rather than 100% o Applications for industrial or light Planning Permits manufacturing businesses. Public Art: Locally inspired publicly 80% cost recovery rather than 100% on "accessible" art included as prominent Planning Permits component in project Page 2 of 3 r Community gardens, outdoor dining, live No Planning Permit or Fees required — must entertainment, sidewalk cafes and tasting comply with specific standards rooms. Energy and Water Conservation: 80% cost recovery rather than 100% on Installation of significant energy or water Planning Permits conservation fixtures, appliances or equipment beyond green building code requirements Affordable Housing Projects: 80% deposit and 80% cost recovery rather than 100% on Planning Permits Special Needs Housing Projects: 60% deposit and 60% cost recovery rather than 100% on Planning Permits 14. The City Council conducted a d u I y noticed public hearing on February 21, 2024, to discuss and receive public comments on the proposed fees. NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby adopts the updated fee schedule for planning and building permits and services of the Community Development Department, as listed on the attached Exhibit A. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21"t day of February, 2024, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Orozco, Sher, Crane, and Mayor Duenas NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None Jos{fins enas, Mayor ATTEST: Kristine Lawler, City Clerk Page 3 of 3