Multi-family developers seeking entitlements for higher densities in Emeryville could be subject to a significantly revised density bonus program now under discussion. City staff characterized the draft revamped rules at a recent Emeryville Planning Commission as a means to attract more families. Full Story 

Residential water connection fees in Hayward would be based on the actual size of the required service under a proposal set to go before the Hayward City Council on June 2, 2015. Currently, the city charges a flat $8,106 for residential service up to a 1-inch meter.  But based on the growing use of 1" meters necessary to meet fire sprinkler codes, city staff is asking the council to set the fees based on the meter size. Full Story

Napa elected leaders are set to consider a proposed fourfold increase in the city's affordable housing impact fee on new single-family development. If the City Council adopts the rates at its meeting on June 2, 2015, fees would also rise for other uses including condos, hotels and retail shops. Full Story 

Water connection fees in Napa will increase 53.5 percent for a 1" meter under a proposal set to go before the Napa City Council on June 2, 2015.  The one-time capacity charge would rise from $4,100 per unit to $6,296, or $2,196 per unit. Per the staff report, water connection fees were last adopted in 2006 and the city has subsequently completed a number of water system improvements. Click here for the agenda and staff report.

Oakley will restore its pre-Great Recession traffic and parks impact fee levels for residential development starting Oct. 1, 2015, a decision that will add nearly $15,000 to the cost of permitting a single-family house in the eastern Contra Costa County community. BIA|Bay Area Board Chairman Dave Sanson urged the City Council at its meeting on May 26, 2015, to spread out the financial impacts over a two-year period. Full Story 

The Contra Costa Water District will host stakeholder meetings in the next 30 to 60 days on the agency's pending 2015 facilities reserve charge (FRC) analysis update. CCWD uses the FRC analysis as the basis of the one-time fee it charges new development to buy into existing and future facilities necessary to provide water service. Full Story 

The Emeryville City Council is expected to initiate a 15-year-extension property owners' election for the soon-to-expire citywide improvement district - including parcels zoned residential - that funds the Emery Go-Round shuttle service. Formation of the district requires a majority approval of the property owners during an election in which the ballots are weighted according to the proposed assessments. majority property owners' approval of property owners. Full Story