Update: Unfortunately, on June 18 the San Jose City Council voted both to cut park impact fees for downtown high-rises, and to explore cutting park fees for other residential development throughout the entire city. City staff will bring recommendations back to the City Council at a future date with regard to whether to cut park fees outside of the Downtown area. We will alert our supporters when an opportunity arises for the public to weigh in. To receive alerts, sign up at greenfoothills.org/subcribe.

On Tuesday, June 18, the San Jose City Council will consider a proposal to cut park impact fees for downtown high-rises, and to explore cutting park fees for other residential development throughout the entire city. Please email the City Council and tell them not to cut fees for parks!

What’s Happening

For years, the City of San Jose has been trying to encourage residential high-rise development in the Downtown neighborhood, with little success due to the high cost of this type of development. In 2017, park impact fees for Downtown high-rises were significantly reduced, but according to City staff, only two new high-rises have been completed since then. Now, staff is proposing cutting park fees again by 50%, even though the city’s own study acknowledges that these fees only account for a tiny fraction of the total cost of development and are unlikely to make the difference as to whether a project gets built.

In addition, City staff is recommending exploring similar cuts in park impact fees for all multi-family residential housing throughout the entire city. This could radically harm San Jose’s ability to provide enough parkland to serve the whole community.

Why It Matters

Parks are necessary for a healthy and thriving community. The pandemic made it abundantly clear that people need to be able to get outside to relax, socialize and enjoy nature. Particularly for those who do not have their own backyards, access to parks is a matter of equity. Cutting fees for multi-family developments will hurt most those who live in those new developments.

Parks and urban green space provide tangible health benefits. Studies have shown that stress levels are lower and ADHD symptoms are reduced when people get out into nature. In addition, trees and other vegetation absorb carbon from the atmosphere, reduce air pollution, and lower temperatures on hot summer days.

As climate change causes our city to become hotter, it is more important than ever to provide enough parks and green space to keep pace with new development. Studies show that neighborhoods with fewer trees and less green space can be up to 20 degrees hotter than neighborhoods with sufficient greenery.

What You Can Do

Please email the City Council and tell them not to cut fees for parks!