PUBLIC WORKS  &  

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURAL ARTS 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Lynnwood Considers Impact Fees and Updated Sewer Connection Charges on New Development

Community members, business owners, and developers are invited to a February 12th public hearing on proposed fees.   

LYNNWOOD, WA (January 30, 2018) - The City of Lynnwood's Public Works and Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Departments have studied and will propose to the City Council implementing new sewer connection charges to mitigate growth impacts to the sanitary sewer system and a park impact fee program as a way to help support future park development needed by new development and growth. 

Sewer Connection Charges
The current system of Sanitary Sewer Connection Charges (LMC 14.50) dates back to the original construction and establishment of the City’s sewers (ca. 1960-1990). The expenditures that the Utility made through a series of Local Improvement Districts (LIDs) that were the basis of those charges have long been paid off.  The existing connection charges are extremely low, some as little as $50. As the City has entered a new era of growth and expansion there has been the need for upsizing of the sewer system to accommodate that growth.  The new system of charges calculates the overall cost of needed capacity improvements to meet growth and attributes them on a unit basis to new expected growth. The system uses an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) method, where an ERU discharges 125 gallons per day and is charged a connection fee of $2,480.  Other non-residential uses are then assessed an equivalent number of ERUs based on a calculation of their flow rates. Staff has also researched our regional neighbor’s sewer connection charges. What Lynnwood proposes falls near the very bottom of the range. 

A presentation will be made to the Council on Monday, February 5, 2018 with a public hearing scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2018 in Council Chambers located at 19100 44th Ave W. Formal adoption of any proposed sewer connection charges will be discussed by the Lynnwood City Council following the public hearing. 

Park Impact Fees
One of the Parks, Arts, Recreation & Conservation (PARC) Plan strategic directions relates to ensuring sound management and maintenance of Lynnwood's park and recreation system. Included in the adopted PARC Plan is Action #3.9.2 which directs staff to "conduct a park impact fee study for the City to help finance park and trail capital needs related to population growth." Over 80 Washington cities and counties charge park impact fees including Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Mill Creek and Snohomish County.

Staff initiated a Park Impact Fee study with technical assistance provided by the Trust for Public Land (TPL). TPL in 2017 with outreach conducted through the fall. A presentation of the Rate Study for Impact Fees for Parks, Open Space, and Recreation Facilities was made to Council at the January 29, 2018. The Rate Study and draft Ordinance for the establishing a Park Impact Fee program on residential and commercial development will continue on Monday, February 5, 2018. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 2018 in Council Chambers located at 19100 44th Ave W. Formal adoption of any proposed park impact fee will be discussed by the Lynnwood City Council following the public hearing. 

For more information on Park Impact fees, please visit http://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/Government/City-Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/Park-Impact-Fee-Study.htm or contact Sarah Olson at solson@lynnwoodwa.gov.   

About Lynnwood Public Works

Our mission is to effectively and efficiently develop, manage and operate the physical infrastructure that is the foundation of the City’s health, safety and welfare while enhancing the quality of life in our community. To learn more, visit www.LynnwoodWA.gov/PublicWorks.

About Lynnwood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts

Our mission is to create a healthy community through people, parks, programs and partnerships. Lynnwood’s state-of-the-art Recreation Center attracts visitors from the greater Puget Sound region and is the hub of the department’s operations. Our parks system includes 17 parks, 134 acres of open space, 14 miles of trails, a Senior Center and an 18-hole public golf course. We offer a wide range of recreational facilities including sports courts, athletic fields, spray pools, a skate park, playgrounds and large open play areas, as well as nature trails, lakes, streams and forests. To learn more, visit www.PlayLynnwood.com.   

About City of Lynnwood

Incorporated in 1959, Lynnwood is the economic hub of South Snohomish County. Situated at the convergence of interstates I- 5 and I-405, Lynnwood’s accessibility, variety of housing and employment options, colleges and outstanding park system attract a wide variety of businesses and residents. For its diverse population of more than 36,000, Lynnwood is a great place to live, work and play. Lynnwood Moving Forward: Our Community Vision – the City will be a regional model for a sustainable, vibrant community with engaged citizens and accountable government. Lynnwood is…a great deal more!

Contact:
William Franz, Director
Public Works 
wfrantz@lynnwoodwa.gov

Sarah Olson, Deputy Director
Lynnwood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts
solson@lynnwoodwa.gov

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