A proposed 118 percent hike for recreation
facilities, plus road fees, could push family house prices up $43,000.
By Cathy Locke - Bee Staff Writer
A 118 percent increase has been proposed in fees for new single-family homes in much of El Dorado Hills to help provide parks and recreation facilities needed to keep pace with community growth.
The proposed park fee increase follows on the heels of a hike in traffic impact fees by the county. If the park fee is approved as proposed, the price of new homes in El Dorado Hills would have about $43,000 tacked on for parks and roads.
The El Dorado Hills Community Services District board will hold a hearing Thursday on a study by the consulting firm Economic Planning Systems to determine the portion of new facilities costs to be assigned to new development.
The study is based on the district's 2006 Park and Recreation Facilities Master Plan, which also will be considered for adoption.
The master plan, developed with input from community surveys, focus groups and an advisory committee, represents "a very large picture of what's called for in El Dorado Hills," said district General Manager Wayne Lowery.
The 2006 plan sets the stage for a more elaborate park system, he said, adding that developers can't be expected to bear the entire cost.
The district has about 35,000 residents. The plan includes facilities for 57,100, the district's projected population in 2020.
To carry out all that is envisioned, the district will need additional funding sources, possibly including taxes or assessments requiring voter approval, Lowery said.
The park impact fee, paid at the time a building permit is issued, affects only new residences.
The consultants' study calls for increasing the fee for single-family homes in most of El Dorado Hills from $7,073 per unit to $15,404.
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