Newport / Costa Mesa / Irvine : COSTA MESA : City to Study Park Fees for New Apartments

The City Council is thinking about levying a developers fee on the construction of all new apartment complexes, with the revenue to be used to build more parks and recreation facilities.

The City Council, in a study session Monday, discussed the possibilities of levying the fee. City Atty. Thomas Kathe said that, before the council could adopt a fee, it would first have to prove that residents moving into new apartments increase the demand for parks and recreation facilities. The city already levies a development fee on single-family developments.

More than 60% of the residents of Costa Mesa live in apartments, and that’s considered one of the highest percentages in the county, said Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis, who supports the fee idea.

“The Little League and soccer parents keep on telling us that ‘We need more ball fields,’ and ‘Look at Irvine and Mission Viejo and all the greenbelts and open space they have,’ ” Genis said. “This fee would be a one-time-upon-construction thing.”

But the proposed ordinance is just in the beginning stages and probably won’t be voted on until further fee studies are conducted. The issue will be sent to the Planning Commission for its consideration.

Mayor Joe Erickson also backs the proposed ordinances, saying “it’s not fair” that home builders have to pay the fee and apartment developers currently do not.

“I think it’s important that people recognize that single family homes are required to pay a park fee,” Erickson said, “and people in rental units use the parks just as much as those living in single family homes.”