The city of South San Francisco recently approved a linkage fee for commercial developments, following the lead of a few other cities that have decided on linkage fees as a similar mechanism to fund affordable housing.
"Building in South San Francisco will come with a slightly higher price tag under a decision to combat the local affordability crisis with a new fee paid by those proposing commercial developments," reports Austin Walsh.
Developers of retail, commercial, and hotel uses will pay the new linkage fee. "Under the decision, builders will be required to pay $5 per square foot of new hotel space; $2.50 for restaurant or retail square footage and $15 for the same amount of office, medical or research and development space," adds Walsh.
"Officials expect the fees over the next couple years could generate between $5 million to $15 million, which will flow into a fund designed to facilitate construction of more affordable housing opportunities," according to Walsh.
The article includes more detail about the political debate that lead to the South San Francisco City Council's adoption of the new linkage fee.
A follow up article on the news by Rachel Dovey places South San Francisco's new linkage fee in context of the other cities adding linkage fees to generate funding for affordable housing projects.
Read the full story: South City adopts commercial linkage fees
Maine county rescinded $240k in affordable housing funds after town proposed using it for data center
Lincoln County pulled the funding from the town of Wicasset, saying it was only meant to be used for housing projects.
Seattle Voters Approve Social Housing Referendum
Voters approved a corporate tax to fund the city’s housing authority despite an opposition campaign funded by Amazon and Microsoft.
Opinion: Local Governments Must Take Urgent Action on Affordable Housing Funds
Cities and states have until the end of the year to decide how to spend federal affordable housing dollars.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing
The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
'This is going to be painful:’ Virginia stares down $1.7 billion funding gap for highway maintenance
The state may address the deficit by shifting $290 million from its construction budget to maintenance projects.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello