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.
FULL STORY: South City adopts commercial linkage fees
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.
Washington State Legislature Could Continue Housing Reforms in 2024
2023 saw some victories and some setbacks for housing advocates. Lawmakers plan to continue the fight in 2024.
Denver Adopts Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning
The Denver City Council recently adopted the “Expanding Housing Affordability” policy.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street
If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.
Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces
Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.
Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service