HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07281998 - C45 Contra
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORSC}Sta
FROM: TRANSPORTATION QCounty COMMITTEE
DATE: July 28, 1998
SUBJECT: Adopt Oppose Position on AB 2621 (Cardoza): "Least Burdensome Alternative Standard"
for Development Conditions, and authorize Chair, Beard of Supervisors,to send oppose
letter to the author of the legislation
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Adopt an oppose position on Assembly Bill 2621 (Cardoza)which would require that public agencies
select the "least burdensome alternative"for an applicant when imposing and obligation, condition,
or exaction as a condition of a permit, approval, or entitlement and authorize Chair, Board of
Supervisors to send oppose letter to the author of the legislation.
FISCAL IMPACT'
If enacted, AB 2621 could have a negative fiscal impact because it would make it more difficult to
secure project mitigations and both monetary and non-monetary developer contributions or
dedications toward adequate public facilities and infrastructure.
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
AB 2621 (Cardoza) seeks to establish a new standard when public agencies;impose conditions,
obligations, or exactions as a condition of a permit, approval, or entitlement. As recently amended,
Assembly 2621 would require that public agencies select the "least burdensome alternative"for an
applicant when imposing an obligation, condition, or exaction as a condition of la permit, approval,
entitlement, or benefit under the Subdivision Map Act, Planning and Zoning Law, and California
Environmental Quality Act. Assembly Bill 2621 defines "least burdensomealternative" as the
condition that is least costly to the applicant or most consistent with the applicant's development
objectives.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: x YES SIGNATURE
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _ CX RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD
COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
. N �Don
SIGNATURES : s - anciamilla, Chair erber
ACTION OF BOARD ONAPPROVED AS RECOMMENDED
� i
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
►/UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
SHOWN.
Contact: Patrick Roche, CDD-TPD (510/335-1242) ATTESTED
cc: CA State Leg. Delegation for CoCo Co. PHIL AT LOR, CLERK OF
D.J. Smith, Smith & Kempton THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Les Spahn,Heim, Noack, Kelly & Spahn COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Assemblyman Cardoza
BY EPUTY
TC/PR:h:proch/legislation/ab2621
Adopt Oppose Position on AS 2821 (Cardoza)
July 28, 1 998
Page 2
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS (continued)
If enacted,AB 2621 would go well beyond the"rough proportionality"test for development exactions,
as established under recent Federal and State Supreme Court decisions (Nollan, Dolan, and
Ehrlich), and the "reasonable relationship„ test for development fees provided under California's
Mitigation Fee Act.
Until amended in the Senate during the month of June, AB 2621 would have directed the state
Department of Conservation to complete soil surveys needed to map productive farmlands. The
June amendments gutted the bill and inserted language that had been in the author's AB 2488,
which was referred(but never heard by)the Assembly Local Government Committee. It is noted that
earlier this year the Board of Supervisors adopted an oppose position on AB 2488 (Cardoza).
The recently amended version of AB 2621 has remained in the Senate Committee on Local
Government for further hearings due to strong opposition from groups, such as the California State
Association of Counties (CSAC) and California League of Cities. Although AB 2621 is effectively
on hold for this legislative year, the Senate Committee on Local Government has indicated that a
hearing(s)on this bill will be scheduled sometime during the remaining period of this session so that
all interested parties may air their concerns about this legislation. The Transportation Committee
recommends the Beard of Supervisors adopt an oppose position and authorize the Chair, Board of
Supervisors, to send an oppose letter to the author of AB 2621 (see attached draft letter, marked
as Exhibit"A"). Copies of the opposition letter would be sent to the Chair, Senate Committee on
Local Government and to members of Contra Costa's state legislative delegation.
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The Board of Supervisors Contra F%11 OWN"
and
County Adtnlnisfttlon BulldtngCosta �,tY Adarir*refar
651 Pine Stnot,Room 106 (510)3361-19W
Martinez,California 94553.1293 County
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July 28, 1998
Honorable Dennis Cardoza
26th Assembly District
California State Assembly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Subject: Opposition to Assembly Bill 2621
Dear Assemblyman Cardoza:
I am writing on behalf of my colleagues who serve on the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors to add our voices to the numerous public agencies who have come out in opposition
to Assembly Bill 2621.
As recently amended,Assembly Bill 2621 would require that public agencies select the"least
burdensome alternative" for an applicant when imposing an obligation, condition, or exaction as
a condition of a permit,approval, entitlement, or benefit under the Subdivision Map Act,
Planning and Zoning Law,and California Environmental Quality Act. Assembly Bull 2621
defines"least burdensome alternative" as the condition that is least costly to the applicant or
most consistent with the applicant's objectives.
We are opposed to this bill because it would set a new standard for public agencies that goes well
beyond the"rough proportionality"test for development exactions, as established under recent
Federal and State Supreme Court decisions(Nollan,Dolan,and Ehrlich), and the"reasonable
relationship"test for development fees provided under California's Mitigation';Fee Act.
Assembly Bill 2621 appears to be a solution in search of a problem. What problem is Assembly
Bill 2621 attempting to solve? Numerous decisions and statutes have clearly set out the
standards that public agencies must follow when imposing conditions, exactions,or fees on
developers. It seems to us that Assembly Bili 2621 is really an attempt to reverse 50 years of
court decisions and statutes that have set the rules for the bargaining relationship between
California public agencies and developers in placing conditions,exactions, and fees on private
development.
Phu
The Board of Supervisors Centra Em"T" CW*of M ftwd
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cwnty AC#7tiY4L-&atlon ElwWlty Costa �(5 0)335-19W
651 Pine Street,RooC[! 106 CountyMartinez,California 94553-1293
&M ft"M,ist ftbi t
Gaylo 8.UM MM,2nd District
Donut OwbMr,3rd District f ,,
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Mak Drf$sutnisr,4th DWrict
Joe CMnciatttttts,Stn District
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July 28, 1998
Honorable Dennis Cardoza
26th Assembly District
California State Assembly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0001
Subject: Opposition to Assembly Bill 2621
Dear Assemblyman Cardoza:
1 am writing on behalf of my colleagues who serve on the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors to add our voices to the numerous public agencies who have come out in opposition
to Assembly Bill 2621.
As recently amended, Assembly Bill 2621 would require that public agencies select the"least
burdensome alternative" for an applicant when imposing an obligation, condition, or exaction as
a condition of a permit, approval, entitlement,or benefit under the Subdivision Map Act,
Planning and Zoning Law, and California Environmental Quality Act. Assembly Bill 2621
defines "least burdensome alternative"as the condition that is least costly to the applicant or
most consistent with the applicant's objectives.
We are opposed to this bill because it would set a new standard for public agencies that goes well
beyond the "rough proportionality"test for development exactions, as established under recent
Federal and State Supreme Court decisions(Nollan, Dolan, and Ehrlich),and the"reasonable
relationship" test for development fees provided under California's Mitigation Fee Act.
Assembly Bill 2621 appears to be a solution in search of problem. What problem is Assembly
Bill 2621 attempting to solve? Numerous decisions and statutes have clearly set out the
standards that public agencies must follow when imposing conditions,exactions,or fees on
developers. It seems to us that Assembly Bill 2621 is really an attempt to reverse 50 years of
court decisions and statutes that have set the rules for the bargaining relationship between
California public agencies and developers in placing conditions,exactions,and fees on private
development.
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Ltr. to Assemblyman Cardoza
7128/98
Page Two
The public interest Would not be well served by applying the"least burdensome alternative"
standard, as proposed in Assembly Bill 2621, to secure developer contributions or dedications
(both monetary and non-monetary) for public facilities and infrastructure and specific project
mitigation measures as a condition for project approval. We ask that you reconsider this piece of
legislation because it will upset fifty years of established procedures under California's local
planning and development process.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Rogers, Chair
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
cc: Chair,Senate Committee on Local Government
Contra Costa Co. State Legislative Delegation
CSAC
D.J. Smith,Smith& Kempton
Les Spahn, Heim,Noack,Kelly,&Spahn
bc: C.Van Marter,CAO
D.Barry,Comm.Dev.Dept.
M.Watford,Public Works Dept.