Willow Glen Resident
News
Secondary-unit program may be extended, again
By Emilie Crofton
The secondary-unit pilot program might be extended yet again, and may now include a new fee.
The San Jose Planning Commission has considered extending the secondary-unit pilot program until April 30, or until homeowners have applied for 100 granny units. In addition, the current park fee, which is exempt under the pilot program, could be imposed.
The topic of whether owners of secondary units should be required to pay park fees has been an ongoing issue among Willow Glen residents.
"I have mixed feelings about it," says Harvey Darnell, president of the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association. "If owners build granny units as a guest house, I'm against the fee, but I can understand it when owners have renters and use it as income."
According to San Jose senior planner Carol Hamilton, the proposed extension would allow more time to analyze the appropriate park fee costs.
The park fees would be based on the type of unit and the area of the city, according to Hamilton.
For example, she said the existing park fee for a single-family detached unit could range between $13,600 and $31,750.
"There is concern that those fees could discourage people from building secondary units, as 50 percent of the secondary units are constructed for less than $100,000," Hamilton said.
Although Hamilton acknowledges these costs are quite high for secondary units, in other circumstances she said the park fees make sense.
"The city is balancing two different objectives, making sure we have housing for residents as well as parks and recreational services," Hamilton said. "Council will have to look at how to balance the two."
A planning commission hearing on the extension of the secondary unit pilot program and park fees is scheduled for Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall city council chambers, 200 E. Santa Clara St.
Any comments or questions should be addressed to Carol Hamilton at 408.535.7837 or by e-mail at carol.hamilton@sanjoseca.gov.
