{"id":765,"date":"2014-10-26T09:12:04","date_gmt":"2014-10-26T16:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shellyrobersonrealtor.com\/?p=765"},"modified":"2014-10-26T09:12:04","modified_gmt":"2014-10-26T16:12:04","slug":"mountain-view-developer-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shellyrobersonrealtor.com\/mountain-view-developer-fees\/","title":{"rendered":"Mountain View Weighs Increased Developer Fees \u2013 What Else?"},"content":{"rendered":"
How do cities in tech-rich Silicon Valley curb skyrocketing housing costs while at the same time appease developers to build more affordable housing units?\u00a0 In the city where Google Inc. resides the conundrum of housing is a bubbling caldron between residents, developers, and city staff.\u00a0 The peninsula, where Mountain View is located, is experiencing a rapidly growing workforce that incorporates both high-earning educated professionals and a sub-set of low earning individuals to supply the service industry that is growing right along with the population.\u00a0 The peninsula housing stock and developable land is the carrot which keeps getting more expensive by the day.\u00a0 Cities like Mountain View are considering ways to improve the situation for its future residents, but faces business realities which do not bode well for people looking for affordable housing.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n In order to help relieve the affordable housing shortfalls Mountain View is currently evaluating increases in three different types of developer fees; 1) an increase of $10 to $15 per foot on new technology office projects; 2) a 1% hike on for-sale housing fees; and 3) a $5 per square foot jump on rental housing fees.\u00a0 There are several problems which may arise if developers continue to bare the burden of the affordable housing crisis which include potential litigation and possibly even a refusal to build with ever-increasing fees being added to projects.<\/p>\n Are new office projects and luxury housing complexes partially or mostly responsible for the increasing average rental costs in Mountain View?\u00a0 Are these \u201cdesirable\u201d projects what have driven the average rent for a one-bed apartment to $2,400?\u00a0 Moreover, with building costs so high in the Bay Area how can affordable housing be added in a cost effective manner?\u00a0 Finally, will increased developer fees withstand judicial scrutiny?<\/p>\n The city is considering raising the developer fees for single-family housing from 3% to 4% (in lieu of building below-market housing BMR). \u00a0The city\u2019s rental impact fee could possibly rise from $15\/sq. ft. from $10.26\/sq. ft. (San Jose is presently considering $17\/sq. ft.). \u00a0Finally, the proposed increases on commercial development office projects are from $10.26 sq. ft. to $20-$25\/sq. ft. \u00a0\u00a0The proposed increases on retail, hotels, and smaller commercial buildings are from $3\/sq. ft. to $10-$12.50\/sq. ft.<\/p>\n Notwithstanding all of these proposed increases the real test will probably be when the years long California Building Industry Association (CBIA) v. City of San Jose lawsuit finally gets decided.\u00a0 The CBIA filed suit against San Jose Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance basically saying that the City of San Jose failed to show proof that market rate housing negatively affected the city and that the increased fees and requirements on developers were not justified with evidence.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0If the CBIA ultimately prevails most jurisdictions, including Mountain View can be looking for other ways to get fees from developers which will be extremely difficult.<\/p>\n If cities keep believing that their budgets will continue to be bolstered by increasing developer fees they should think again.\u00a0 If the CBIA lawsuit goes against San Jose, all cities will have to rethink their strategies because all of their fees will be challenged in court (probably).\u00a0 Importantly, the next time there is a downturn in construction all of those fees \u2018on the come\u2019 will not be there and the city staffs will have to take cuts.<\/p>\nWhat Is Responsible For Ever-Increasing Housing Costs?<\/h2>\n
Mountain View City Council Considers And Prepares Specific Proposals<\/h2>\n
Cities May Find Themselves In A Bind In Short Order<\/a><\/h2>\n
Affordable Housing Has Uphill Battle No Matter What<\/h2>\n