City Council Agenda Report
TO: Mayor Clauzel and Members of the City Council
FROM: Fernando Ulloa, Interim City Manager
BY: Nubia Goldstein, City Attorney
MEETING DATE: November 19, 2024
ITEM NO: 9.3
SUBJECT: Approve First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 878 Reading by Title only, Waiving Further Reading an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Patterson Amending Chapter 16.44 of the Patterson Municipal Code (Dedication-Park and Recreation) to Update the City’s Quimby Ordinance; and Adopt Resolution No. 2024-65 Updating the Parkland InLieu Fee Charged to Subdivisions, Consistent with the City’s Existing Parkland Standard.
RECOMMENDATION
Motion to Approve First Reading and Introduction of Ordinance No. 878 Reading by Title only, Waiving Further Reading an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Patterson Amending Chapter 16.44 of the Patterson Municipal Code (Dedication-Park and Recreation) to Update the City’s Quimby Ordinance; and Adopt Resolution No. 2024-65 Updating the Parkland In-Lieu Fee Charged to Subdivisions, Consistent with the City’s Existing Parkland Standard.
BACKGROUND
The City’s “Quimby Ordinance” is located in Chapter 16.44 of the Patterson Municipal Code.
Pursuant to the authority of the Subdivision Map Act (Gov. Code, § 66477, referred to as the “Quimby Act”), cities may adopt ordinances imposing a requirement for new subdivisions to dedicate area for parkland in order to maintain the city’s parkland standard. If parkland is not dedicated to the City on the subdivision map, then the City may collect in-lieu fees to pay for new parkland construction.
The City’s Quimby Ordinance was first adopted in 1976 and last updated in 1995. The City has undergone considerable growth since this time (specifically with adoption of the Villages Master Plan, the Baldwin Ranch North project, and the recently approved Zacharias/Baldwin Ranch South Master Plan). There have also been updates to the state statute since this time.
City staff is proposing a comprehensive update to the Quimby Ordinance (Attachment 1). The Quimby Ordinance is outdated, having last been amended in 1995. It would assist staff to have the current state requirements included in the Quimby Ordinance chapter. Second, the City’s General Plan calls for a parkland standard of five (5) acres per one thousand (1,000) residents.
The existing Quimby Ordinance, however, provides a parkland standard of three (3) acres per 1,000 residents. Including the City’s updated parkland standard of 5 acres per 1,000 residents will ensure consistency between the City’s General Plan, the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the Subdivision Title in the Municipal Code, and applicable Master Plans that provide the same 5-acre standard. The proposed ordinance also contains additional requirements compared to the current ordinance, by providing clear application procedures for the Community Development Director when determining the parkland and fees required for new subdivisions.
In addition, at its meeting on October 15, 2024, the City Council adopted new development impact fees for City Hall, Corporation Yard, Transportation, Recreation Facilities, and Parks.
The Nexus Study containing the new parks impact fees also describes the new in-lieu fee to be charged to subdivisions (known as “Quimby Fees”). The proposed ordinance therefore also updates the in-lieu fee to be charged to subdivisions, consistent with the recently adopted Nexus Study. The new Quimby Fee is higher compared to the fee provided in the existing ordinance.
ANALYSIS
The City’s “Quimby Ordinance” is located in Chapter 16.44 of the Patterson Municipal Code.
Pursuant to the authority of the Subdivision Map Act (Gov. Code, § 66477, referred to as the “Quimby Act”), cities may adopt ordinances imposing a requirement for new subdivisions to dedicate area for parkland in order to maintain the city’s parkland standard. If parkland is not dedicated to the City on the subdivision map, then the City may collect in-lieu fees to pay for new parkland construction.
The City’s Quimby Ordinance was first adopted in 1976 and last updated in 1995. The City has undergone considerable growth since this time (specifically with adoption of the Villages Master Plan, the Baldwin Ranch North project, and the recently approved Zacharias/Baldwin Ranch South Master Plan). There have also been updates to the state statute since this time.
City staff is proposing a comprehensive update to the Quimby Ordinance (Attachment 1). The Quimby Ordinance is outdated, having last been amended in 1995. It would assist staff to have the current state requirements included in the Quimby Ordinance chapter. Second, the City’s General Plan calls for a parkland standard of five (5) acres per one thousand (1,000) residents.
The existing Quimby Ordinance, however, provides a parkland standard of three (3) acres per 1,000 residents. Including the City’s updated parkland standard of 5 acres per 1,000 residents will ensure consistency between the City’s General Plan, the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the Subdivision Title in the Municipal Code, and applicable Master Plans that provide the same 5-acre standard. The proposed ordinance also contains additional requirements compared to the current ordinance, by providing clear application procedures for the Community Development Director when determining the parkland and fees required for new subdivisions.
In addition, at its meeting on October 15, 2024, the City Council adopted new development impact fees for City Hall, Corporation Yard, Transportation, Recreation Facilities, and Parks.
The Nexus Study containing the new parks impact fees also describes the new in-lieu fee to be charged to subdivisions (known as “Quimby Fees”). The proposed ordinance therefore also updates the in-lieu fee to be charged to subdivisions, consistent with the recently adopted Nexus Study. The new Quimby Fee is higher compared to the fee provided in the existing ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT
This ordinance does not have an impact to the City’s General Fund. The ordinance would apply to subdivision applications received by the Community Development Department. Subdividers must dedicate parkland to the City for new subdivision applications, subject to the rules of the ordinance. In-lieu fees would be collected when the subdivision does not dedicate land and be deposited into the City’s parkland in-lieu fund. Funds collected can be used to develop and rehabilitate the City’s neighborhood and community parks.
COUNCIL OPTIONS
1. Introduce Ordinance No. 878 for first reading, and adopt Resolution No. 2024-65; or
2. Provide direction to staff with modifications to the proposed Ordinance No. 878 and Resolution No. 2024-65; or
3. Deny the Ordinance No.878 and Resolution No. 2024-65.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Ordinance No. 878
2. Resolution No. 2024-65
Exhibit A: Nexus Study by Willdan Financial Services (November 12, 2024)
3. Revisions to the Nexus Study prepared by Willdan Financial Services
4. Parkland Standard from City’s General Plan