Willow Glen Resident
News
District 6 gets $670,000 from freed up park fund
By Monica Heger
Park improvements are coming to San Jose.
On June 20, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved the park trust fund, freeing nearly $13 million in interest from developer fees that will be applied toward park improvements.
Out of the $13 million, District 6 will be allocated $670,000. This includes $20,000 to Cahill Park, $120,000 to the Rose Garden and $8,000 to Cinnabar Commons.
The park trust fund was set up in 1988 as a way to provide more parks for communities. Developers are required either to dedicate land for parks or pay an in-lieu fee. Since 1988, San Jose has collected $90.4 million. Of that amount, $34.2 million has been spent, and an additional $56.2 million has been committed to different projects. What was troubling to the council and speakers was the $745,000 of uncommitted funds.
A review found approximately $400,000 of the uncommitted funds should be returned to developers and property owners, because it had not been committed to any project within the specified five years period. The remainder of the uncommitted $745,000 could not be traced back to any specific developer, so it will be used for citywide projects.
Residents were particularly pleased with the approval of the fund, which has been reviewed for nearly a year.
"Park lands are an essential part of a healthy community," said Helen Chapman, chairwoman of the parks commission. "Failure to vote yes will only further jeopardize and delay parks."
Chapman said approval of this report was the first step in discussing possible fee increases. She also said the method of collecting fees and the fund's record-keeping practices are out of date, so she was looking forward to moving ahead and making changes.
Chapman said the next step would be discussing how to calculate, raise and allocate fees. For example, she said a cost of living adjustment to the fees was in order.
Buena Vista resident Rober Solis encouraged the council to move forward, but was critical of the yearlong review of the fund.
"Stagnation is an unacceptable form of government," Solis said. "This is an opportunity for money to go out to our community to give them more parks."
Beverly Bryant, executive director of the Homebuilders Association, said the entire $745,000 should be returned to the developers, and the council should be cautious before moving forward.
"Before we move on with park fees, let's get it right," Bryant said. "Let's do an audit and update the greenprint."
City Manager Les White also encouraged the council to proceed with caution, saying moving ahead with capital projects without adequate maintenance and operating funding would not work.
"We have to maintain those parks," White said, "so we have to be cognizant of how we approve funds."
