Hermosa Beach : Park Land Ordinance

By unanimous vote, the City Council recently introduced an ordinance to require developers of single-family or condominium subdivisions to dedicate land for parks or pay a fee to develop city park land.

The council set the fees at the highest rate allowed by state law, based on a formula that allows cities to require five acres of park land per 1,000 people in the city.

According to Planning Director Michael Schubach, the fees will fluctuate based on variations in the market value of open space. Based on current land values, a developer would be required to pay $3,200 per unit, he said.

Apartment projects are not included in the ordinance, Schubach said. Such developments would still be subject to the city’s park and recreational facilities tax of $500 per unit, which applies to condominiums and single-family developments.