Auburn Recreation District on collision course with Placer County over developer fees
The Auburn Recreation District is wading into a wrangle with Placer County over $150,000 in developer fees. The first blast coming the county way occurred at a Planning Commission meeting two weeks ago when district board member Gordy Ainsleigh stated that funding was being taken away to pay for the county’s Hidden Creek Regional Park expansion. The second round of public criticism could come today when the North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council takes up a Parks Division staff request to commit $150,000 in park dedication fees to the Hidden Falls project. Scott Holbrook, an ARD board member, has sent out an e-mail blast suggesting the Parks Division proposal “stinks of bad politics.” Saying that his e-mail represents his own opinions and not those of the board, Holbrook is calling on recreation district supporters to attend the advisory council meeting to oppose what he says is the rubber-stamping of the request. That has led to a meeting between Holbrook, Auburn-area Supervisor Jim Holmes and county Facility Services Department staff scheduled for late Monday. Holmes said that he was “curious” why Holbrook, who seemed to be acting “unilaterally,” was sending out the e-mail when he was also scheduled to go into a meeting with county officials. “He’s under the conception that the they are ARD funds,” Holmes said. “But they’re funds dispensed by the county. We’ve always been able to meet the district’s needs as long as the nexus was there.” Holbrook said in the e-mail that the Hidden Falls funding would put park dedication fees meant for improvements in the county’s District 5 into a project just outside the district that would benefit residents of other areas. District 5 includes parts of Meadow Vista and Auburn that are within recreation district boundaries. “Let Jim Holmes and Jennifer Montgomery (county supervisors who both have appointees on the council) know how you feel,” Holbrook said. “Hidden Falls is a wonderful place and a great idea if it can be properly funded but it should not come at the expense of District 5 residents.” The meeting takes place starting at 7 p.m. today in the Planning Commission Chambers of the Community Resource Development Agency Building, 3091 County Center Drive, North Auburn.
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More parks=more costs=more taxes. Everybody knows we need more taxes huh.???
Any who attended the last ARD meeting know I am not acting unilatterly on this issue, the records will show the ARD board is unanimous in its opposition of the used of these Area 5 funds, and are having me draft a letter to the Board for approval. Further Director smith provided some content & approval for the email.
The residents within the counties "Area 5" some time ago voted in a recreaton district, and further elects a 5 member board to oversee the district, which is the primary "supplier" of recreation facilities. While no action has been taken, I am not aware of any member of the board or staff member who is in favor of these desperately needed funds being taken for use at Hidden Falls.
All fees in question were collected within Area 5, from new development. The purpose of these fees is to provide new faclities & for the rehablitation of existing facilities to address the impact of the new development. From ADA playgrounds to crumbling play fields & shortage of acceptable facilities, your ARD has a backlog of desperately needed projects The $150,000 slated to be taken will represent just a small fracton of the millions and millions being put into Hidden Falls, but represents virtuall all available Area 5 recreation funds (3 years worth). With thousands of acres of open space & mles and miles of trails close at hand- this just does not fit in the term "need", when compared to what your little 'ole ARD could use these funds for.
Keep Smilin' - Scott
What is the total amount of developer fees available? And how much of the funds came from district 5? How many did not? The article is not clear...
Scott,
Please keep up the good work. This abuse of park mitigation fees has been going on for too long.
ALL of the funds in question came from "Area 5" which is a county designation, the ARD boundaries almost the same - when asked how many residents live in Area 5 that do not live within ARD Boundaries. Based on the maps provided and comments by ARD staff it did not look as though Hidden Valley was within ARD Boundaries - last night I was advised that a portion of Hidden Valley is in fact in Area 5 - though when questioned no one could tell me how much (it must be a very small percentage based on every map I have seen) - that being said the expansion is to the West and based on every bit of information I have received NOT in Area 5. Again based on my opinion & conversations held during the last ARD Board Meeting, the point is that the intent of these funds is to address the impact of development within the area for which it occurrs, - the amounts we are talking represent less than 40 Homes (the fees collected in unincorporated areas are approx $3850 per dwelling) - I would like someone to explain the impact that would have on Area 5 openspace recreation opportunities - yet you are likely looking at another 60+ kids entering into youth sport / recreation activities done on & / or in ARD's Facilities -some 150 people going to ARD parks on a regular basis.... ARD truly would be the best recipient for these funds - use Legacy and other funds for Hidden Falls - ARD Parks Make Life Better - especially in Area 5!
Sorry at work bouncing back and forth - but I think you get the jist of things! - again Keep Smilin'!
Scott:
As a former ARD Chairperson, I support you in this effort. The county is only responding to the State's fiscal mis-management by trying to tie up these funds which historically go to the ARD board to administer. It is a serous trickle down effect which is hurting all of us.
Dr Bill Kirby
Auburn City Council
Thanks Bill,
I was very pleased that the North Auburn Mac listened and understood what is happening. They votes 6-0-1 (a brand new member abstained on all action items) to request that the Recreration Commission NOT approve the request. Many turned out in support of "our" recreation district - I thank them all.
Hidden Falls will be a nicer park then anything run by ARD. I think ARD just wants to maintain their control rather than promote good parks.