Pamplin Media Group - Forest Grove park fees double over next three years
View Comments Councilors concerned a sharper parks fee increase might raise home prices too high Instead of doubling deveopers' parks-related fees all at once Jan. 1, Forest Grove City Council members have decided to spread out the increase over three years. At its Aug. 14 meeting, councilors considered a proposal to double the city's System Development Charges (SDC), which developers pay when they apply for building permits. The idea is that this money helps pay to create certain services — in this case, parks — the eventual residents of these new homes will use. The current SDC for parks is $3,000 per unit. The new proposed rate is $6,010. These park charges will support the city's recently revised 10- year master plan for parks and recreation, which would enhance current parks as well as offer more recreational facilities. Forest Grove is expected to welcome hundreds of new houses and apartment units and thousands of new residents in the next 10 years. At the he...