Monterey Park : Development Fees Raised

In an effort to raise money to renovate city parks, the City Council has raised a fee on residential construction and levied a new tax on commercial and industrial development.

The council raised the current parks and recreation fee on new housing from $150 per dwelling and $50 for each bedroom to a flat fee of $700. The new fee on commercial and industrial development will be $1 per square foot.

City officials said the new revenue will help pay for $2.3 million in park renovation over the next five to seven years. Priority will be given in the next two years to alleviating erosion problems at Elder and Sunnyslopes parks, rehabilitating the Barnes Park Community Center building, expanding Langley Center and developing Langley Park.