Item 5: Resolution Adopting Amended SDC Methodologies and Rates

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background and detail on considerations for implementing a charge for commercial and other nonresidential development types. The essential issue raised by those objecting to a nonresidential charge is the nexus or correlation between park capacity demand and new nonresidential development. Fundamentally, park users create demand for parks and capacity in the parks system. Parks SDC are intended to recover the demand for park capacity created by growth in the community associated with new development. For development of new residential dwelling units, the nexus is based on an assumption that additional residential dwelling units are constructed to accommodate additional population in the community, and that the associated additional population of park users creates demand for additional parks and capacity in existing parks. In the proposed SDC methodology, for development types other than construction of new dwelling units, the nexus between growth and demand for park capacity is also related to increase in the population of park users. For development of nonresidential uses, the nexus is based on the assumption that the development of additional nonresidential units is to accommodate more employees, clients, customers and other visitors. Additional population of employees, customers and visitors and the associated increase in the population of park users increases demand for parks capacity. This nexus was demonstrated by intercept surveys of park users indicating that a portion of park users are coming from and/or going to nonresidential development types immediately preceding or following a park visit. For example, a portion of park users surveyed expressed that their choice of a park to visit was directly related to the proximity of the park to their place of employment or other nonresidential establishment they were visiting. A number of communities in Oregon have determined that a nexus exists between nonresidential development and parks capacity demand. A recent survey within the Portland Metropolitan Area found that out of 17 jurisdictions that charge parks SDCs, nine assess parks SDCs for nonresidential uses, and one (Portland) is considering implementation in the next fiscal year. Communities that charge a nonresidential parks SDCs include Beaverton, Gresham, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Sherwood, Tigard, Washington Co., and Wilsonville. Other examples in the State include Lebanon and Woodburn. It should also be noted that there are a number of models used across the state and the country to establish a nexus for nonresidential development. The one used most frequently in the state is the ‘hours of opportunity’ model. Staff favored a survey approach because it is based on actual measured use of park facilities, as opposed to assumptions related to potential use. The survey approach was also used in Phoenix, AZ to determine the extent of a nonresidential nexus. Several comments were related to concerns on use of the results of the surveys and inclusion survey respondents making a trip to or through a park by bicycle, given that primary bicycle paths are part of the transportation system. A total of 1,746 intercept surveys in 21 parks of various types were completed in 549 hours in the parks; 207 hours were spent on surveys during the weekdays, 138 during weekends, and 204 during two holidays. Park visitors were surveyed from all modes of travel to the park—vehicular, bus, skates, bicycle and pedestrian. Bicyclists made up 20 percent of all visitors surveyed and were treated no differently from respondents who arrived by other modes; their presence in the park was considered park usage, and