Missouri City is changing how developers can dedicate required parkland, including adding a trail connectivity credit.
The big picture
At a Feb. 2 meeting, Missouri City City Council voted unanimously to approve an update to its parkland dedication ordinance, which requires residential developers to set aside land for parks through the dedication of public parkland, payment of a fee in lieu of land or a combination of land dedication and fee payment.
The update reflects current land values, rising construction parks and factors in the city's long-term planning objectives. The ordinance's first reading was approved unanimously Jan. 20.
The details
According to agenda documents, the ordinance makes several changes in hopes of maintaining adequate levels of service, enhancing trail connectivity and providing developers with flexible compliance options, including:
- Updating the fee in lieu of land from $1,400 to $3,100 per dwelling
- Introducing a trail connectivity credit which will allow developers up to 25% credit for constructing public trails, or 12.5% for qualifying private trails
Additionally, fees in lieu of land proposals of $10,000 or less will be reviewed by staff, rather than requiring council approval, per agenda documents.
Going forward
The new fees apply to any parkland proposals submitted to the city as of Feb. 3, per agenda documents.
