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10/16/2018 Member News

Chehalem Parks and Recreation Board of Directors presses pause for one month on SDC indexing


On the heels of a major SDC increase, the Chehalem Parks and Recreation Department (CPRD) Board of Directors is considering indexing their SDC. The HBA weighed in at a hearing in partnership with County Commissioner Mary Starret. During the public hearing the CPRD Board of Directors agreed to wait on consideration of the proposal.

In June and July of 2017, the CPRD Board of Directors considered a proposal to raise their system development charge from $2,017 to $13,459 per single family home. Local builders testified, requesting a work group to be formed and for the Board to continue the hearing to allow for further consideration of the methodology. It was also pointed out that the parks district was not in compliance with state law in terms of providing proper notification of the increase and the methodology under consideration. After two hearings and extensive testimony, the parks district adopted an SDC of $6,866, significantly lower than the original proposal.

With the current indexing proposal, much of the same problems remain with CPRD’s compliance with proper notification requirements. The hearing time was changed without additional notice and the meeting materials available online do not include the SDC methodology that this increase is based upon. The methodology is an important piece of context for the potential adoption of the increase. The HBA submitted testimony that proposed they reconsider their indexing for these reasons, in addition to the continued impacts it would have to affordability in Yamhill County. Commissioner Mary Starret supported and read the HBA’s testimony at the public hearing. In light of this testimony, CPRD agreed to table the issue until the next meeting.

The HBA supports the services provided by the parks and recreation district to its community, however these continual fee increases have a direct effect on the affordability of homes in the region. Additionally, the Board continues to struggle with basic public outreach required by such an increase. The HBA is working with our partners in Yamhill County to inform interested parties of the proposal and would invite any interested builders or developers to testify in opposition to the increase at their next hearing on October 25th at 6:00pm. The hearing is held at 125 S. Elliott Road in Newberg, Oregon.

Read more about CPRD's delayed vote here: https://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/142-news/408727-307960-cprd-delays-vote-on-increase-in-sdcs